A manually operated override release mechanism for use with a motorized window shade assembly having a shade fabric with a leading edge, the shade fabric being disposed behind a pane and movable between an opened position and a closed position upon operation of a motor. The override release mechanism has an actuator movable between a first position and a second position and biased in the first position. The actuator has a first side secured to one end of a cable, and a second side. The other end of the cable is connected to the motor.