VisualSVN Server 5.5 Release Notes

VisualSVN Server is upgraded to use the latest OpenSSL 3.5 LTS release.

Summary of this release

VisualSVN Server 5.5 is a maintenance release that introduces an upgrade to OpenSSL 3.5 LTS (Long-Term Support). OpenSSL is a component used by VisualSVN Server to secure network communications and implement the SSL/TLS protocol.

VisualSVN Server 5.5 provides an upgrade to OpenSSL 3.5 while intentionally keeping other changes to a minimum. For the complete list of changes, see the corresponding changelog.

Upgrading to VisualSVN Server 5.5 is recommended for all users. The upgrade is easy and straightforward, especially when upgrading from VisualSVN Server 5.4, but we strongly advise reading the article KB247: Upgrading to VisualSVN Server 5.5 before beginning the upgrade.

Transition to OpenSSL 3.5

OpenSSL 3.5 is the latest Long-Term Support release of the OpenSSL library. The transition to OpenSSL 3.5 is transparent to end users as it does not alter the core functionality of VisualSVN Server.

Prior to version 5.5, VisualSVN Server has been using OpenSSL 3.0. OpenSSL 3.0 has reached End of Life on September 16th, 2026, so the upgrade to OpenSSL 3.5 ensures that VisualSVN Server ships with an up-to-date and actively maintained OpenSSL version. Because OpenSSL 3.5 has major changes in its code, we are releasing this upgrade in the form of the new 5.5.x version family.

Web interface stops using XSLT

Another significant change in this release is that VisualSVN Server 5.5 stops using XSLT in the repository web interface. Before version 5.5, the web interface made limited use of XSLT, but modern web browsers are gradually deprecating this technology. In particular, Chrome will disable support for XSLT on November 17, 2026.

This change is transparent to end users and doesn't affect the functionality of the web interface or the server's compatibility with any standard Subversion clients. VisualSVN Server 5.5 is fully compatible with modern web browsers and all standard Subversion clients.

Upgrade and compatibility concerns

The upgrade to VisualSVN Server 5.5 is recommended for all users. Please read the article KB247: Upgrading to VisualSVN Server 5.5 before beginning the upgrade.

The upgrade is free for all customers who have an active maintenance subscription for Enterprise or Essential licenses. The upgrade is also free for all customers who use VisualSVN Server under the Community license.

Importantly, VisualSVN Server 5.5 remains fully compatible with Subversion clients based on OpenSSL 3.0.