diff --git a/.github/workflows/installers-conda.yml b/.github/workflows/installers-conda.yml
index e754f8f82c3..b146b8b6b27 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/installers-conda.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/installers-conda.yml
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ name: Nightly conda-based installers
 
 env:
   IS_RELEASE: ${{ github.event_name == 'release' }}
+  IS_PRE_RELEASE: ${{ github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' && inputs.pre }}
   ENABLE_SSH: ${{ github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' && inputs.ssh }}
   BUILD_MAC: ${{ github.event_name != 'workflow_dispatch' || inputs.macos-x86_64 }}
   BUILD_ARM: ${{ github.event_name != 'workflow_dispatch' || inputs.macos-arm64 }}
@@ -125,7 +126,6 @@ jobs:
       MACOS_INSTALLER_CERTIFICATE: ${{ secrets.MACOS_INSTALLER_CERTIFICATE }}
       APPLICATION_PWD: ${{ secrets.APPLICATION_PWD }}
       CONSTRUCTOR_TARGET_PLATFORM: ${{ matrix.target-platform }}
-      NSIS_USING_LOG_BUILD: 1
 
     steps:
       - name: Checkout Code
@@ -193,11 +193,17 @@ jobs:
           cache-environment: true
 
       - name: Env Variables
-        run: env | sort
+        run: |
+          NSIS_USING_LOG_BUILD=1
+          [[ "$IS_RELEASE" == "true" || "$IS_PRE_RELEASE" == "true" ]] && NSIS_USING_LOG_BUILD=0
+          CONDA_BLD_PATH=${RUNNER_TEMP}/conda-bld
+
+          echo "NSIS_USING_LOG_BUILD=$NSIS_USING_LOG_BUILD" >> $GITHUB_ENV
+          echo "CONDA_BLD_PATH=$CONDA_BLD_PATH" >> $GITHUB_ENV
+
+          env | sort
 
       - name: Build ${{ matrix.target-platform }} spyder Conda Package
-        env:
-          CONDA_BLD_PATH: ${{ runner.temp }}/conda-bld
         run: |
           # Copy built packages to new build location because spyder cannot be
           # built in workspace
@@ -206,8 +212,6 @@ jobs:
           python build_conda_pkgs.py --build spyder
 
       - name: Create Local Conda Channel
-        env:
-          CONDA_BLD_PATH: ${{ runner.temp }}/conda-bld
         run: |
           conda config --set bld_path $CONDA_BLD_PATH
           conda index $CONDA_BLD_PATH
diff --git a/installers-conda/build_installers.py b/installers-conda/build_installers.py
index d9c6c658325..2bb85537766 100644
--- a/installers-conda/build_installers.py
+++ b/installers-conda/build_installers.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
 from pathlib import Path
 import platform
 import re
-from subprocess import check_call
+from subprocess import run
 import sys
 from textwrap import dedent, indent
 from time import time
@@ -217,6 +217,14 @@ def _get_condarc():
     return str(file)
 
 
+def _get_conda_bld_path_url():
+    bld_path_url = "file://"
+    if WINDOWS:
+        bld_path_url += "/"
+    bld_path_url += Path(os.getenv('CONDA_BLD_PATH')).as_posix()
+    return bld_path_url
+
+
 def _definitions():
     condarc = _get_condarc()
     definitions = {
@@ -246,6 +254,12 @@ def _definitions():
                 "specs": [k + v for k, v in specs.items()],
             },
         },
+        "channels_remap": [
+            {
+                "src": _get_conda_bld_path_url(),
+                "dest": "https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge"
+            }
+        ]
     }
 
     if not args.no_local:
@@ -371,7 +385,7 @@ def _constructor():
 
     yaml.dump(definitions, BUILD / "construct.yaml")
 
-    check_call(cmd_args, env=env)
+    run(cmd_args, check=True, env=env)
 
 
 def licenses():
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..edd2d210dc2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+[build-system]
+requires = [
+    "setuptools>=42",
+    "packaging",
+]
+
+# We're not ready yet to build Spyder with the setuptools backend, but we're
+# leaving this for the future.
+# build-backend = "setuptools.build_meta"
diff --git a/spyder/__init__.py b/spyder/__init__.py
index 708a699ce5b..efd0b842837 100644
--- a/spyder/__init__.py
+++ b/spyder/__init__.py
@@ -29,9 +29,11 @@
 OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
 """
 
-version_info = (6, 0, 0, "dev0")
+from packaging.version import parse
 
-__version__ = '.'.join(map(str, version_info))
+version_info = (6, 0, 0, "a5", "dev0")
+
+__version__ = str(parse('.'.join(map(str, version_info))))
 __installer_version__ = __version__
 __title__ = 'Spyder'
 __author__ = 'Spyder Project Contributors and others'
diff --git a/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/container.py b/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/container.py
index 211fea8df91..0105dfce250 100644
--- a/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/container.py
+++ b/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/container.py
@@ -20,10 +20,7 @@
 from spyder.api.translations import _
 from spyder.api.widgets.main_container import PluginMainContainer
 from spyder.plugins.updatemanager.widgets.status import UpdateManagerStatus
-from spyder.plugins.updatemanager.widgets.update import (
-    UpdateManagerWidget,
-    NO_STATUS
-)
+from spyder.plugins.updatemanager.widgets.update import UpdateManagerWidget
 from spyder.utils.qthelpers import DialogManager
 
 # Logger setup
@@ -65,6 +62,9 @@ def setup(self):
             self.update_manager_status.blockSignals)
         self.update_manager.sig_download_progress.connect(
             self.update_manager_status.set_download_progress)
+        self.update_manager.sig_exception_occurred.connect(
+            self.sig_exception_occurred
+        )
         self.update_manager.sig_install_on_close.connect(
             self.set_install_on_close)
         self.update_manager.sig_quit_requested.connect(self.sig_quit_requested)
@@ -75,8 +75,6 @@ def setup(self):
         self.update_manager_status.sig_show_progress_dialog.connect(
             self.update_manager.show_progress_dialog)
 
-        self.set_status(NO_STATUS)
-
     def update_actions(self):
         pass
 
diff --git a/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/plugin.py b/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/plugin.py
index 39e6c4cb8e7..22d7a2dcfe9 100644
--- a/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/plugin.py
+++ b/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/plugin.py
@@ -9,14 +9,12 @@
 """
 
 # Local imports
-from spyder import __version__
 from spyder.api.plugins import Plugins, SpyderPluginV2
 from spyder.api.translations import _
 from spyder.api.plugin_registration.decorators import (
     on_plugin_available,
     on_plugin_teardown
 )
-from spyder.config.base import DEV
 from spyder.plugins.updatemanager.container import (
     UpdateManagerActions,
     UpdateManagerContainer
@@ -95,12 +93,12 @@ def on_mainwindow_visible(self):
         """Actions after the mainwindow in visible."""
         container = self.get_container()
 
+        # Initialize status.
+        # Note that NO_STATUS also hides the statusbar widget.
+        container.update_manager_status.set_no_status()
+
         # Check for updates on startup
-        if (
-            DEV is None                   # Not bootstrap
-            and 'dev' not in __version__  # Not dev version
-            and self.get_conf('check_updates_on_startup')
-        ):
+        if self.get_conf('check_updates_on_startup'):
             container.start_check_update(startup=True)
 
     # ---- Private API
diff --git a/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/scripts/install.bat b/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/scripts/install.bat
index 4bdb5533469..3969f20059b 100644
--- a/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/scripts/install.bat
+++ b/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/scripts/install.bat
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@ echo IMPORTANT: Do not close this window until it has finished
 echo =========================================================
 echo.
 
+call :wait_for_spyder_quit
+
 IF not "%conda%"=="" IF not "%spy_ver%"=="" (
     call :update_subroutine
     call :launch_spyder
@@ -40,8 +42,6 @@ exit %ERRORLEVEL%
 :install_subroutine
     echo Installing Spyder from: %install_exe%
 
-    call :wait_for_spyder_quit
-
     :: Uninstall Spyder
     for %%I in ("%prefix%\..\..") do set "conda_root=%%~fI"
 
@@ -69,16 +69,14 @@ exit %ERRORLEVEL%
 :update_subroutine
     echo Updating Spyder
 
-    call :wait_for_spyder_quit
-
     %conda% install -p %prefix% -y spyder=%spy_ver%
-    set /P CONT=Press any key to exit...
+    set /P =Press return to exit...
     goto :EOF
 
 :wait_for_spyder_quit
     echo Waiting for Spyder to quit...
     :loop
-    tasklist /fi "ImageName eq spyder.exe" /fo csv 2>NUL | find /i "spyder.exe">NUL
+    tasklist /v /fi "ImageName eq pythonw.exe" /fo csv 2>NUL | find "Spyder">NUL
     IF "%ERRORLEVEL%"=="0" (
         timeout /t 1 /nobreak > nul
         goto loop
@@ -87,10 +85,11 @@ exit %ERRORLEVEL%
     goto :EOF
 
 :launch_spyder
-    echo %prefix% | findstr /b "%USERPROFILE%" > nul && (
-        set shortcut_root=%APPDATA%
-    ) || (
-        set shortcut_root=%ALLUSERSPROFILE%
-    )
-    start "" /B "%shortcut_root%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\spyder\Spyder.lnk"
+    for %%C in ("%conda%") do set scripts=%%~dpC
+    set pythonexe=%scripts%..\python.exe
+    set menuinst=%scripts%menuinst_cli.py
+    if exist "%prefix%\.nonadmin" (set mode=user) else set mode=system
+    for /f "delims=" %%s in ('%pythonexe% %menuinst% shortcut --mode=%mode%') do set "shortcut_path=%%~s"
+
+    start "" /B "%shortcut_path%"
     goto :EOF
diff --git a/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/scripts/install.sh b/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/scripts/install.sh
index 75b894ad8ec..e5bee00d239 100755
--- a/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/scripts/install.sh
+++ b/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/scripts/install.sh
@@ -14,15 +14,20 @@ shift $(($OPTIND - 1))
 
 update_spyder(){
     $conda install -p $prefix -y spyder=$spy_ver
-    read -p "Press any key to exit..."
+    read -p "Press return to exit..."
 }
 
 launch_spyder(){
+    root=$(dirname $conda)
+    pythonexe=$root/python
+    menuinst=$root/menuinst_cli.py
+    mode=$([[ -e "${prefix}/.nonadmin" ]] && echo "user" || echo "system")
+    shortcut_path=$($pythonexe $menuinst shortcut --mode=$mode)
+
     if [[ "$OSTYPE" = "darwin"* ]]; then
-        shortcut=/Applications/Spyder.app
-        [[ "$prefix" = "$HOME"* ]] && open -a $HOME$shortcut || open -a $shortcut
+        open -a $shortcut
     elif [[ -n "$(which gtk-launch)" ]]; then
-        gtk-launch spyder_spyder
+        gtk-launch $(basename ${shortcut_path%.*})
     else
         nohup $prefix/bin/spyder &>/dev/null &
     fi
diff --git a/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/widgets/status.py b/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/widgets/status.py
index 7d7468635cd..f3cbedb4ed9 100644
--- a/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/widgets/status.py
+++ b/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/widgets/status.py
@@ -10,10 +10,9 @@
 
 # Standard library imports
 import logging
-import os
 
 # Third party imports
-from qtpy.QtCore import QPoint, Qt, Signal, Slot
+from qtpy.QtCore import Qt, Signal, Slot
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QLabel
 
 # Local imports
@@ -29,7 +28,6 @@
     PENDING
 )
 from spyder.utils.icon_manager import ima
-from spyder.utils.qthelpers import add_actions, create_action
 
 
 # Setup logger
@@ -38,7 +36,6 @@
 
 class UpdateManagerStatus(StatusBarWidget):
     """Status bar widget for update manager."""
-    BASE_TOOLTIP = _("Application update status")
     ID = 'update_manager_status'
 
     sig_check_update = Signal()
@@ -61,8 +58,8 @@ class UpdateManagerStatus(StatusBarWidget):
 
     def __init__(self, parent):
 
-        self.tooltip = self.BASE_TOOLTIP
-        super().__init__(parent, show_spinner=True)
+        self.tooltip = ""
+        super().__init__(parent)
 
         # Check for updates action menu
         self.menu = SpyderMenu(self)
@@ -81,30 +78,23 @@ def set_value(self, value):
                 "Downloading the update will continue in the background.\n"
                 "Click here to show the download dialog again."
             )
-            self.spinner.hide()
-            self.spinner.stop()
             self.custom_widget.show()
+            self.show()
         elif value == CHECKING:
-            self.tooltip = self.BASE_TOOLTIP
+            self.tooltip = value
             self.custom_widget.hide()
-            self.spinner.show()
-            self.spinner.start()
+            self.hide()
         elif value == PENDING:
             self.tooltip = value
             self.custom_widget.hide()
-            self.spinner.hide()
-            self.spinner.stop()
+            self.show()
         else:
-            self.tooltip = self.BASE_TOOLTIP
+            self.tooltip = ""
             if self.custom_widget:
                 self.custom_widget.hide()
-            if self.spinner:
-                self.spinner.hide()
-                self.spinner.stop()
+            self.hide()
 
-        self.setVisible(True)
         self.update_tooltip()
-        value = f"Spyder: {value}"
         logger.debug(f"Update manager status: {value}")
         super().set_value(value)
 
@@ -126,23 +116,7 @@ def set_download_progress(self, percent_progress):
     @Slot()
     def show_dialog_or_menu(self):
         """Show download dialog or status bar menu."""
-        value = self.value.split(":")[-1].strip()
-        if value == DOWNLOADING_INSTALLER:
+        if self.value == DOWNLOADING_INSTALLER:
             self.sig_show_progress_dialog.emit(True)
-        elif value in (PENDING, DOWNLOAD_FINISHED, INSTALL_ON_CLOSE):
+        elif self.value in (PENDING, DOWNLOAD_FINISHED, INSTALL_ON_CLOSE):
             self.sig_start_update.emit()
-        elif value == NO_STATUS:
-            self.menu.clear()
-            check_for_updates_action = create_action(
-                self,
-                text=_("Check for updates..."),
-                triggered=self.sig_check_update.emit
-            )
-
-            add_actions(self.menu, [check_for_updates_action])
-            rect = self.contentsRect()
-            os_height = 7 if os.name == 'nt' else 12
-            pos = self.mapToGlobal(
-                rect.topLeft() + QPoint(-10, -rect.height() - os_height)
-            )
-            self.menu.popup(pos)
diff --git a/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/widgets/update.py b/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/widgets/update.py
index 9ca760e0c12..007c929c4f1 100644
--- a/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/widgets/update.py
+++ b/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/widgets/update.py
@@ -10,9 +10,10 @@
 import logging
 import os
 import os.path as osp
-import sys
-import subprocess
 import platform
+import shutil
+import subprocess
+import sys
 
 # Third-party imports
 from packaging.version import parse
@@ -36,15 +37,12 @@
 # Logger setup
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
-# Update installation process statuses
+# Update manager process statuses
 NO_STATUS = __version__
 DOWNLOADING_INSTALLER = _("Downloading update")
 DOWNLOAD_FINISHED = _("Download finished")
-INSTALLING = _("Installing update")
-FINISHED = _("Installation finished")
 PENDING = _("Update available")
 CHECKING = _("Checking for updates")
-CANCELLED = _("Cancelled update")
 INSTALL_ON_CLOSE = _("Install on close")
 
 HEADER = _("<h3>Spyder {} is available!</h3><br>")
@@ -99,6 +97,11 @@ class UpdateManagerWidget(QWidget, SpyderConfigurationAccessor):
         Latest release version detected.
     """
 
+    sig_exception_occurred = Signal(dict)
+    """
+    Pass untracked exceptions from workers to error reporter.
+    """
+
     sig_install_on_close = Signal(bool)
     """
     Signal to request running the install process on close.
@@ -170,6 +173,9 @@ def start_check_update(self, startup=False):
 
         self.update_thread = QThread(None)
         self.update_worker = WorkerUpdate(self.get_conf('check_stable_only'))
+        self.update_worker.sig_exception_occurred.connect(
+            self.sig_exception_occurred
+        )
         self.update_worker.sig_ready.connect(self._process_check_update)
         self.update_worker.sig_ready.connect(self.update_thread.quit)
         self.update_worker.sig_ready.connect(
@@ -322,6 +328,9 @@ def _start_download(self):
         self.progress_dialog.cancel.clicked.connect(self._cancel_download)
 
         self.download_thread = QThread(None)
+        self.download_worker.sig_exception_occurred.connect(
+            self.sig_exception_occurred
+        )
         self.download_worker.sig_ready.connect(self._confirm_install)
         self.download_worker.sig_ready.connect(self.download_thread.quit)
         self.download_worker.sig_ready.connect(
@@ -406,11 +415,14 @@ def start_install(self):
         """Install from downloaded installer or update through conda."""
 
         # Install script
-        script = osp.abspath(__file__ + '/../../scripts/install.' +
-                             ('bat' if os.name == 'nt' else 'sh'))
+        # Copy to temp location to be safe
+        script_name = 'install.' + ('bat' if os.name == 'nt' else 'sh')
+        script_path = osp.abspath(__file__ + '/../../scripts/' + script_name)
+        tmpscript_path = osp.join(get_temp_dir(), script_name)
+        shutil.copy2(script_path, tmpscript_path)
 
         # Sub command
-        sub_cmd = [script, '-p', sys.prefix]
+        sub_cmd = [tmpscript_path, '-p', sys.prefix]
         if osp.exists(self.installer_path):
             # Run downloaded installer
             sub_cmd.extend(['-i', self.installer_path])
diff --git a/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/workers.py b/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/workers.py
index 72c8ec13a32..9ee12a896d8 100644
--- a/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/workers.py
+++ b/spyder/plugins/updatemanager/workers.py
@@ -56,14 +56,43 @@ class UpdateDownloadIncompleteError(Exception):
     pass
 
 
-class WorkerUpdate(QObject):
+class BaseWorker(QObject):
+    """Base worker class for the updater"""
+
+    sig_ready = Signal()
+    """Signal to inform that the worker has finished."""
+
+    sig_exception_occurred = Signal(dict)
+    """
+    Send untracked exceptions to the error reporter
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+    error_data: dict
+        The dictionary containing error data. The allowed keys are:
+        text: str
+            Error text to display. This may be a translated string or
+            formatted exception string.
+        is_traceback: bool
+            Whether `text` is plain text or an error traceback.
+        repo: str
+            Customized display of repo in GitHub error submission report.
+        title: str
+            Customized display of title in GitHub error submission report.
+        label: str
+            Customized content of the error dialog.
+        steps: str
+            Customized content of the error dialog.
+    """
+
+
+class WorkerUpdate(BaseWorker):
     """
     Worker that checks for releases using either the Anaconda
     default channels or the Github Releases page without
     blocking the Spyder user interface, in case of connection
     issues.
     """
-    sig_ready = Signal()
 
     def __init__(self, stable_only):
         super().__init__()
@@ -100,21 +129,20 @@ def start(self):
         self.update_available = False
         error_msg = None
         pypi_url = "https://pypi.org/pypi/spyder/json"
+        github_url = 'https://api.github.com/repos/spyder-ide/spyder/releases'
 
         if is_conda_based_app():
-            url = 'https://api.github.com/repos/spyder-ide/spyder/releases'
+            url = github_url
         elif is_anaconda():
             self.channel, channel_url = get_spyder_conda_channel()
 
             if self.channel is None or channel_url is None:
-                # Emit signal before returning so the slots connected to it
-                # can do their job.
-                try:
-                    self.sig_ready.emit()
-                except RuntimeError:
-                    pass
-
-                return
+                logger.debug(
+                    f"channel = {self.channel}; channel_url = {channel_url}. "
+                )
+
+                # Spyder installed in development mode, use GitHub
+                url = github_url
             elif self.channel == "pypi":
                 url = pypi_url
             else:
@@ -129,16 +157,17 @@ def start(self):
             data = page.json()
 
             if self.releases is None:
-                if is_conda_based_app():
+                if url == github_url:
                     self.releases = [
                         item['tag_name'].replace('v', '') for item in data
                     ]
-                elif is_anaconda() and url != pypi_url:
+                elif url == pypi_url:
+                    self.releases = [data['info']['version']]
+                else:
+                    # Conda type url
                     spyder_data = data['packages'].get('spyder')
                     if spyder_data:
                         self.releases = [spyder_data["version"]]
-                else:
-                    self.releases = [data['info']['version']]
             self.releases.sort(key=parse)
 
             self._check_update_available()
@@ -152,11 +181,14 @@ def start(self):
             error_msg = HTTP_ERROR_MSG.format(status_code=page.status_code)
             logger.warning(err, exc_info=err)
         except Exception as err:
-            # Only log the error when it's a generic one because we can't give
-            # users proper feedback on how to address it. Otherwise we'd show
-            # a long traceback that most probably would be incomprehensible to
-            # them.
-            logger.warning(err, exc_info=err)
+            # Send untracked errors to our error reporter
+            error_data = dict(
+                text=traceback.format_exc(),
+                is_traceback=True,
+                title="Error when checking for updates",
+            )
+            self.sig_exception_occurred.emit(error_data)
+            logger.error(err, exc_info=err)
         finally:
             self.error = error_msg
 
@@ -170,15 +202,12 @@ def start(self):
                 pass
 
 
-class WorkerDownloadInstaller(QObject):
+class WorkerDownloadInstaller(BaseWorker):
     """
     Worker that donwloads standalone installers for Windows, macOS,
     and Linux without blocking the Spyder user interface.
     """
 
-    sig_ready = Signal()
-    """Signal to inform that the worker has finished successfully."""
-
     sig_download_progress = Signal(int, int)
     """
     Signal to send the download progress.
@@ -249,15 +278,10 @@ def _download_installer(self):
 
     def _clean_installer_path(self):
         """Remove downloaded file"""
-        if osp.exists(self.installer_path):
-            try:
-                shutil.rmtree(self.installer_path)
-            except OSError as err:
-                logger.debug(err, stack_info=True)
-
-        if osp.exists(self.installer_size_path):
+        installer_dir = osp.dirname(self.installer_path)
+        if osp.exists(installer_dir):
             try:
-                shutil.rmtree(self.installer_size_path)
+                shutil.rmtree(installer_dir)
             except OSError as err:
                 logger.debug(err, stack_info=True)