Software

Thomas · 2025-04-23T15:54:55+00:00

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Why is it that Logos does not allow users to download a full version of the Logos software? We purchase software and yet we cannot download what we purchased. I have full, downloaded, copies of every other software purchase I made except Logos. Why is this?

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NB.Mick

Huh? What are you talking about? Of course you can download the software, e.g. from this site: https://www.logos.com/get-started

Thomas

No, you cannot download the software, you download a software installer. The actual program stays on the Logos website. I want to download a full copy of the software so I can keep it, reinstall it when necessary, and never update it again. When you purchase Logos, you are not purchasing a program you are purchasing a license. There was a recent court decision regarding online gaming in which gamers through they were purchasing a perpetual license but no, the courts said they had purchased a "limited license" and thus lost all the money they spent "purchasing" the game.

I want out of the licensing business. I just want to download a full version of Logos so I own it and can reinstall it when necessary, but Logos will not allow me to do that. Logos has a monopoly in computer bible study programs, and they can do whatever they want with their licensing agreement unless I have a full copy of the program on my computer.

Aaron Hamilton

When you purchase Logos, you are not purchasing a program you are purchasing a license.

True, because the software program is free.

A person purchases licenses to features to enhance the free software program and licenses to resources to use/read with the free software program. The feature aspect has changed recently, so that one no longer purchases licenses but rather subscribes to gain access.

Thomas

What you are saying is exactly what I am trying to avoid. The "free software" is no longer free. You must pay a monthly fee for access, unless I have a full version of the "free" software on my computer. Logos does not allow me to download a full version. How long will it be that I MUST purchase a subscription or lose access to my library? Over the years I have spent thousands of dollars on books and upgrades and it may all be lost with a change in the licensing agreement.

DMB

Thomas, you're way off-track:

The software remains free. No subscription, and includes latest bug fixes, etc. Advertising is somewhat misleading.
There is a downloadable msi(?) file as you're wanting (not a loader). But I've forgotten where it is.

Aaron Hamilton

The "free software" is no longer free. You must pay a monthly fee for access… Over the years I have spent thousands of dollars on books and upgrades and it may all be lost with a change in the licensing agreement.

Would it comfort you to know that this is not true? I have taken the following statement from the Logos FAQ page:

Jack Caviness

Thomas, you wrote No, you cannot download the software, you download a software installer. The actual program stays on the Logos website. I want to download a full copy of the software so I can keep it, reinstall it when necessary, and never update it again.

Isn't that the purpose od the Installer?

Thomas

I'm not way off track. There used to be a page where you could download a msi file but it is gone. I found a page with links to msi files of Logos 4 through Logos 9. When I clicked the links I got a "page not found" I just check through my browser history and found that page with list is no longer there.

Logos has realized that the periodic program update is not a viable business model and thus, they started the monthly subscription service to keep the money flowing in. I don't want to be forced into a subscription and the ONLY way to truly avoid that is to have a full copy of the program that I no longer update. I have had long conversations on this topic with Logos customer service and they refuse to let me download a full copy of the program. Why??? Mandatory subscription is coming.

Andrew Batishko

Here you go. Here's a direct link to the MSI file for the current stable version of the application: https://downloads.logoscdn.com/LBS10/Installer/41.1.0.0006/Logos-x64.msi

The MSI file is not linked on the website because it's not practical to provide a stable link to that file (one that remains the same even when a new version is released). We can do that for the LogosSetup.exe (https://downloads.logoscdn.com/LBS10/Installer/LogosSetup.exe).

You can probably figure out the new url yourself based on the version number as they are released.

I don't recall what additional validation the LogosSetup.exe might be doing, so you'll have to run the msi instead of the setup program at your own risk.

Thomas

Thank You!

Thomas

If anyone else is concerned with the direction Faithlife is taking with the Monthly Logos Subscription Fees (essentially paying for what you have already purchased) then here are the steps to secure a free, permanent copy of the Logos Bibles Study Software on a Windows PC.

Download the above MSI file and back it up to a secure location.
Open your current version of Logos, go to the settings and set "NO" to the "Use Internet" option
Close your Logos program
Backup your Logos User Data folders at the following locations. (You will need to set the properties of the File Explorer to "Show hidden files"
1. "C:\Users\(your login user account)l\AppData\Local\Logos"
2. "C:\Users\(your login user account)l\AppData\Local\Faithlife"
Use the Windows Robocopy feature to
keep your backup user data in sync with your current user data.

When you need to restore your Free version of Logos (after a system crash or when purchasing a new computer) follow these steps.

Install Logos using the MSI file you backed up. Don't open the program, just install it.
Copy the User Data you

Thomas

When you need to restore your Free version of Logos (after a system crash or when purchasing a new computer) follow these steps.

Install Logos using the MSI file you backed up. Don't open the program, just install it.
Copy the Logos User Data (the Logos and Faithlife folder you backed up) to your AppData folder.
Start the Logos Program.

Fallowing these steps should bring you back to your Logos Bible Study Software program exactly where you left off last time you used it.

Dave Hooton

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1367607#Comment_1367607

Your apprehension about the software with "Monthly Logos Subscription Fees" is groundless, and your procedure is unnecessarily restrictive and incomplete:

The Logos-x64.msi file has always been available at %localappdata%\Logos\Install\Installers on your system drive (it is Hidden but this path name will reveal it).
What is your intention in blocking use of the internet? You cannot receive free software and book updates if you block the Internet. You might want to defer all updates by setting Automatically Start Downloads to No. Blocking software updates only requires a different command.
ok
Use %localappdata% to locate the Logos and Faithlife folders after exposing Hidden files/folders
You need to explain use of Robocopy, but did you intend to restore use of the Internet after blocking at Step 2?

When restoring:

ok
Copy what exactly? Some folders are created with the installation!

Thomas

The steps I described above is exactly what I did after uninstalling the Logos Software and deleting the data. I was able to restore it without an internet connection and nothing changed in my settings, highlighting and favorites.

I deliberately did not explain Robocopy because the average computer user doesn't even know there is a command prompt on a Windows PC.

Time will tell if I am correct about the future of the Logos Subscription product but for now, I'm done with licensing agreements. The Logos Software I now own does everything I need it to do, thus there is no reason to update it ever again.

Y.S

I have a monthly subscription, does it mean I’m charged twice?

Dave Hooton

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1367644#Comment_1367644

If you are referring to:

Thomas

If anyone else is concerned with the direction Faithlife is taking with the Monthly Logos Subscription Fees (essentially paying for what you have already purchased) then here are the steps to secure a free, permanent copy of the Logos Bibles Study Software on a Windows PC.

This comment is groundless as the software has always been free and you continue to receive updates of the software if you chose not to subscribe. One does not have to hide the app away from the internet to keep it safe/free as the app will cease to receive free Support from Faithlife and he seems not to be concerned about updates for his books. There are ways to freeze app updates whilst remaining on the Internet.

Aaron Hamilton

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1367644#Comment_1367644

Thomas has his facts wrong. He is concerned about a theoretical future that Logos has promised will never be.

You are not being charged twice. If you would like accurate information, feel free to ask questions and state your concerns.

Dave Hooton

@Thomas
Time will tell if I am correct about the future of the Logos Subscription product but for now, I'm done with licensing agreements. The Logos Software I now own does everything I need it to do, thus there is no reason to update it ever again.

All software has a licensing agreement (see Section 3). It is doubtful that you ever "own" commercial software.

GaoLu

Thomas has a plan that satisfies him. If anyone else prefers Thomas' plan, they have guidance on how to use it. Those who use such a plan are forewarned that the method described above may have problems and limitations in the future. Meanwhile, Logos assures us that the software will remain free. It can be readily downloaded and updated. If the Thomas method should fail to meet some user's need, they can always fall back on the newest Logos method, which works.

DMB

I largely do as Thomas, though just to avoid Logos's changes (Mark's cheese-moving) that I have no need for. I'll be dead soon enough, with the Writings speaking to 'ownership'.

But I prefer 'Set update channel to NO' to refuse updates. I still get sync'ing benefits etc.

JJ Wurtz

Sorry, this is quite crazy. They have said the software will always be available to use, as well your purchases. This is how software like does it. That way you don’t have to download gig files each time. Have a little faith, pun intended, that they are not being unethical.

DMB

Not unethical for them to say in the future, "Financial demands need us to …" and then subscription is it. Customers will grouse a while. And then agree they need to stay in business. Done.

Mark always qualifies with 'the foreseeable future'. Marketing, "forever".

I foresee more levels of subscription. Right now, I don't pay a dime for app updates, book updates including tagging, sync support, and … well, help on this forum. Free, free, free.

Thomas

I see now I wasted my time trying to convince Logos Customer Service to let me download an MSI file of Logos. I should have came here first. I see comments in this feed from people who have 13,000, 14,000 and even 16,000 posts. After just 10 posts (now 11) I got what I need 😁

For those you who say I may have issues or limitations in the future, that could happen with a new version of Windows. If a computer program works on Windows 11 now, it will always work on Windows 11.

Thank you all for your comments, especially Andrew for giving me a link to the download, and DMB for letting me know I am not the only one who sees a mandatory subscription service for Logos in the near future.

I'm logging out of the Logos Community and Logos Website. I'm going to read all 5,368 books in my Logos library before I purchase another one. 😊

Thomas

PS: For those of you who subscribe to Logos so you can have instant access to the latest updates. Are you going to continue to subscribe until you get that final update where the Logos program not only writes your sermons for you, but preaches them as well?

Yasmin Stephen

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1367763#Comment_1367763

I neither write sermons nor preach them … should I even be using Logos? I feel an existential crisis coming on 😟

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1367764#Comment_1367764

Well, if Amazon doesn't (easily) recognize 'real' books from AI ones.

But I can see personalized sermons coming. "Oh my, Pastor Bob (or his robot) knows!" Repent!

Richard Dowdy

"…I'm going to read all 5,368 books in my Logos library…"

I would not have expected someone so deeply suspicious of Logos to have invested that heavily in it!

But if he's got that big of a library, I can't blame him for wanting to make sure he always has a way to access his investment, even if the trustworthy reputation Faithlife has now someday goes away. Too many instances out there of technology companies promising they would "never" take away take away some feature, sell users' data, delete purchased resources, etc. only to turn around and do it.

Michelle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1367783#Comment_1367783

As I was pondering about this before my sleep, thoughts ran down the rabbit hole of fear, thank God again the Holy Spirit came to the rescue & just gently prompt "where do I put my faith on?" Fear paralyzes & always deceives.

Don't get me wrong, it's wise & strategic (God has given human brains to be able to think & apply knowledge, skills etc.) to prepare beforehand or to protect the resources given by God, so I'm all hands up with that. Definitely impressed by the workaround from OP & grateful for the perspectives contributed by this community.