How to update programs on your computer. Automatic program update or program for updating programs on a PC
As part of its work to introduce Windows into the mobile device market, Microsoft once created the Windows Store - a single source of content for the operating system, where users can comprehensively install all the software products they need. Today, the Windows Store is the place to install minimalist apps, games, and extensions for the Microsoft Edge browser. But only. Microsoft's ambitious plans to transform the Windows Store into a single web market with a huge assortment, where users could also get acquainted with desktop programs (just get acquainted, and download via a link from the developer's website), alas, have so far remained a project, not put into practice. So far, the Store is not a viewing platform for software that works with the desktop environment of the system, and it is still scattered throughout the Internet - on the websites of development companies, software portals, torrent trackers, etc. All these resources have to be accessed not only once to download program installers, but also periodically to update them, if this process is not automatically provided by the developers. Below we will talk about updating third-party Windows programs - how often they need to be updated, how to do it manually and using special tools.
1. Why and how often do you need to update third-party software?
Updating third-party software is less useful than updating Windows itself, but in some cases this process can have a significant impact on the performance of programs or their individual functions. And some old programs that are no longer supported by developers may not even be installed in modern versions of Windows, since by default they do not provide for the activity of the software platforms necessary for their operation. For example, as is the case with . In program updates, developers correct errors, eliminate conflicts with hardware, adapt to changes in the operating system and software environments on which these programs operate, and add new features.
How often should third-party software be updated? Versions of programs and games are often represented by a sequence of numbers like “xx.xx”, for example, Counter-Strike 1.6. Programs and games may have intermediate versions that have a sequence of numbers like “xx.xx.xx”, for example, CCleaner v5.24.5841. Interim versions, as a rule, do not contain any significant changes, except for minor fixes that are unlikely to be noticed by a wide audience of users. If the program or game works fine, you don't have to waste time updating to each intermediate version. The only exceptions may be programs such as antiviruses, password managers, clients of banking and payment systems, etc.
The creators try to turn fundamental updates of large software packages into a significant event in order to attract the attention of the masses. Such software packages may have readable and memorable version numbers, for example, Corel VideoStudio Ultimate X10, or contain the year of release in the name, for example, Acronis True Image 2017. This kind of software must be dealt with separately, since it may turn out that a new version is necessary purchasing a new license key.
2. Manually updating third-party software
Software that does not provide automatic updates may simply offer a function to check for new versions. In programs with a classic interface, this is usually the last section of the Help menu. If this is not even possible, in the same help section of the menu you can find the address of the program’s official website, visit it and check if a new version has appeared.
3. Updating third-party software using special programs
To simplify the procedure for tracking and installing updates, users who want to have only the latest software on their computer can use special programs. Such programs usually scan the system, identify the software installed on it and, if there are new versions, offer to download them and install them on the system. And some programs even examine non-system drives to look for updates for portable software. The delivery system for a fresh distribution is designed differently for different programs for updating third-party software. Some can download a distribution of the latest versions of the software directly from the official websites of the developers, and some update the software using a single database on the Internet (usually a database of large-scale software portals). The latter usually offer the user a larger list of support for updated software, but, alas, even they are not a panacea, because there are a lot of programs and games for Windows.
Let's look at three programs for updating third-party Windows software below.
3.1. Kaspersky Software Updater
The free utility Kaspersky Software Updater from the eminent creator of anti-virus products - Kaspersky Lab - was created with the aim of promoting paid software, but in the good old traditions of delivering high-quality software products, regardless of the terms of their payment. The utility is created on the principle of “Take it and use it”, it has a convenient interface and clear controls. Quality often makes friends with minimalism, so the creators of the utility found it necessary to limit themselves to only a hundred supported programs from those in demand by a wide audience. Immediately after installing Kaspersky Software Updater, we can start searching for updates to the software available on the system.
Kaspersky Software Updater Based on the scan results, the utility window will display a list of programs for which new versions are available. And we can immediately start the update process for each of the detected programs by clicking the “Update” button. The update process will be carried out automatically.
Kaspersky Software Updater Other features of Kaspersky Software Updater include batch updating of all detected programs in one click, adding individual programs to the list of exceptions (they will no longer participate in scanning), selecting a search mode for updates (all in a row or only essential ones), and automatically starting scanning according to a configured schedule. Kaspersky Software Updater is added to startup and in the background monitors the appearance of new versions of the software available in the system.
3.2. FileHippo App Manager
FileHippo App Manager is a program that works in conjunction with a single database of software installers; it is the client software of the FileHippo.Com soft portal. The program is free to use. The scanning period to detect new versions of the software available in the system is configured immediately when installing FileHippo App Manager. The program loads along with Windows, works in the background and notifies you of the availability of updates to the software available in the system with a message from the system tray.
Based on the results of scanning the system, in the FileHippo App Manager window we will see a list of programs for which new versions have been detected. Using the “Download & Run” button you can download new versions and start installing them on the system.
FileHippo App Manager FileHippo App Manager stores downloaded distributions of new versions of software in a special folder. If necessary, its path, which is set by default on the C:\ drive, can be changed so that the distributions are stored, for example, on one of the non-system partitions.
FileHippo App Manager 3.3. SoftSalad Monitor
SoftSalad Monitor is a client program of the Softsalad.Ru soft portal. Other client programs also work with it, but SoftSalad Monitor has the advantage of being free to use. True, during the installation process of the program you need to carefully monitor it so that companion programs are not installed on the system along with it.
Like other programs for automatic software updates, SoftSalad Monitor is added to startup during installation and performs its work in the background. After installing the program, a system scan will automatically start to search for new versions of the software available in the system. In the scan results, next to each of the programs in the list, possible actions will be available - download a new version, ignore for the future, and go to the Softsalad.Ru page with a description of the program. Downloading new versions is possible in batch mode.
The process of installing new software versions is launched directly from the SoftSalad Monitor interface.
If necessary, in the program settings you can change the preset storage path of the downloaded distribution.
SoftSalad Monitor Of the three reviewed, this is the most functional solution. SoftSalad Monitor scans the system to look for outdated versions of not only installed programs, but also portable programs. SoftSalad Monitor is also a directory for downloading and installing new software. In the “Popular” tab we will find several thematic selections of the most popular software. And to search for specific programs, you can use the internal search engine SoftSalad Monitor.
Have a great day!
Your browser may not support HTML5 video
Programs for monitoring, controlling the relevance of versions of programs installed on your computer, automatically searching for new, latest versions for software products installed on your computer, downloading and installing all updates on your PC, getting rid of potential system vulnerabilities that endanger your data, providing protective functions that are not provided by an antivirus ...
More details
It was said earlier that most of the programs described here are free, plus they have an interface in Russian.
Another important aspect for visitors who are looking on the Internet for programs for their personal (home) computer and more.
The main application and use of the utilities presented here is scanning the computer and notifying about the availability of new versions of software products for the software available on the PC.
Now, proceed from the following. Utilities need to “know,” let’s say, almost all the software on the Internet in order to periodically inform the user about the need to update some of the software on his computer to a new version. Accordingly, the program must interact with a huge software database.
So, currently the library of software products with all (old / new) versions is MULTI-MILLION and, as already stated, the program must “know” this library. Therefore, on a number of developer sites "software update programs", on their home pages you can find, perhaps, any program. Some “programs” even have their own online databases (over 2.5 million software products and their versions) - this is much more different software than in some of the largest software catalogs and software portals. In addition, similar web resources publish “honor boards”, i.e. the most popular (downloadable) programs and a lot of other useful information. For example, there are online services to check the relevance of the versions of programs installed on your PC. If you don’t want or are not ready to install a “software update program” on your computer, just do it “online” and find out what’s “going on” with the software on your computer.
In general, if you ever want to find some computer utilities on the Internet, then visit the “home pages” of some program sites (which are below) (there is a lot of useful and interesting information).
In custody.
A new version of any program not only means more functionality or better “quality”, but also eliminates problems in VULNERABILITY.
What are we talking about?!!! Anti-viruses, firewalls, spuware and other good computer protection measures still cannot fully protect against threats that penetrate through vulnerabilities in software products installed on a PC.... Read more in the description of the programs below and increase the security of your computer Don't miss, for example, "Secunia Personal Software Inspector".
Updating programs is one of the most important procedures that must be performed on a computer. Unfortunately, many users neglect to install updates, especially since certain software can handle this on their own. But in a number of other cases you should go to the developer’s website to download the installation file. Today we'll look at how you can easily and quickly update the software on your computer using UpdateStar.
UpdateStar is an effective solution for installing new versions of software, drivers and Windows components or, more simply put, updating installed software. Using this tool, you can almost completely automate the process of updating programs, which will allow you to achieve the best performance and security of your computer.
How to update programs with UpdateStar?
1. Download the installation file and install it on your computer.
2. At the first launch, a thorough system scan will be carried out, during which the installed software and the availability of updates for it will be determined.
3. Once the scan is completed, a report of the software updates found will be displayed on your screen. A separate item displays the number of important updates that should be updated first.
4. Click the button "List of programs" to display a list of all software installed on your computer. By default, all software that will be checked for updates will be checked. If you uncheck those programs that should not be updated, UpdateStar will stop paying attention to them.
5. A program that requires an update is marked with a red exclamation point. Slightly to the right of it there are two buttons "Download" . Clicking on the left button will redirect you to the UpdateStar website, where you can download the update for the selected product, and clicking on the right “Download” button will immediately begin downloading the installation file to your computer.
6. Run the downloaded installation file to update the program. Do the same with all installed software, drivers and other components that require updates.
Hello dear visitors. In this tutorial, I will show you a couple of ways on how you can update all the programs on your computer quickly and easily.
Some users will ask me a question, Why update programs at all?? Everything is very simple.
New versions fix various bugs and add new features. Therefore, I don’t see anything bad in the new versions! On the contrary, if the update appears, it means the developers did a good job!
You can update programs on your computer either manually, opening each one individually, or automatically using a special program. Let's consider both methods!
Update programs using FileHippo App Manager
Using a convenient program FileHippo App Manager You can update all programs installed on your computer in semi-automatic mode. Now I’ll tell you how to do it correctly.
First of all, download FileHippo App Manager from the official website and install.
Immediately after installing and launching the program, it will prompt you to select an operating mode. Select the third item I’ll do it manually (I will do it manually) and click OK.
Immediately after launch FileHippo App Manager will scan all our programs and will show on the Updates tab the software that can be updated. In my case there are 17 programs.
To update any program, there is a Download and Run button opposite it.
WARNING! Don't try to update all programs. This is especially true for paid programs that were activated by a key found on the Internet. If you update such a program, the activation may fail. Be careful!
As you can see, I have 17 updates, but I won’t install everything completely. Let me update just some programs.
For example, I have updates for CCleaner. This is a great program for . To update it, I click Download and Run and wait a few seconds while the latest version is downloaded.
Upon completion, I will be prompted to update by installing a new version of this program.
I updated some other applications using the same method.
This program is convenient because it allows you to see all applications for which updates are available in one single window. But of course you can update programs manually, let's look at this method.
Manually updating programs
Any program can be updated manually. Of course, the process in different utilities may differ slightly, but the essence is the same everywhere and let’s look at a few examples.
To update the Google Chrome browser, click on the tools button and in the menu that opens, select Help - About the Google Chrome browser.
The program is already checking for updates and if there are any, it will automatically install them and ask you to restart the browser.
To update the Mozilla browser, you need to open the Alt key and go to the Help menu that appears, then About Firefox.
If there is an update, it will download and install.
To update Avast antivirus you need to click on the gear.
Then open the Update tab and at the bottom in the section Program click Refresh button.
To update Skype, run this program and click the Help menu - Check for updates.
To update uTorrent, click the Help menu - Check for updates.
Like this update programs manually. Apply these tips and update the programs you need to take advantage of the latest developments.
That's all, I wish you good luck!
Every conscientious software developer monitors errors that users discover during their work and promptly fixes them by releasing updates. If, in addition to corrections, there are no significant changes in the program, then the new version is usually assigned an intermediate number, for example, "5.1.14". This numbering allows the user to decide whether to update the program or not. If the application is stable, it is hardly worth wasting your time searching for and installing a newer interim release. However, when the program closes with an error or conflicts with the hardware, in this case an update is simply necessary. Another reason to regularly monitor updates is the security issue. If the program stores confidential user data (for example, a utility for storing passwords, a browser, an antivirus, or an application for working with electronic payment systems), updates should be performed as often as possible. The number of installed applications on a computer can be in the tens or even hundreds. Most of them receive regular updates. And even if you adhere to simple logic and update applications only when necessary, it is not always possible to notice the release of a new version. It’s good if the program has a function to automatically check for updates every time you start it or at a specified frequency. But if it is not there, constantly monitoring the release of new versions takes a lot of time, because you need to regularly visit the official website of the program and look for an update in the appropriate section.
In most cases, the developers of a particular program offer to subscribe to the manufacturer's newsletter. This service can be provided on the official website of the program and is offered during its installation process. This option is convenient, but not without its drawbacks. Emails with notifications of this kind are often identified by antispam protection as advertising junk, so in order to find the desired email in the spam folder, you need to waste your time again. In addition, in addition to information about updates, truly useless messages may arrive in your mailbox, for example, about the presentation of a new utility or about discounts on purchasing programs. However, there is a simple but very effective way to solve the problem of finding and installing software updates - using special applications to monitor new software versions.
Update Checker 1.032
Developer: FileHippo.comDistribution size: 154 kb
Spreading: free This project was implemented by the popular online software directory - FileHippo.com. Update Checker is a tiny client that allows you to use the online service of this portal. Update Checker does not have an interface as such - it uses a browser window to display information. In order for the program to run, the Microsoft .NET Framework must be installed on the system. After launching, Update Checker searches the system for a list of installed applications, and then sends a request to the FileHippo.com website. Having compared the versions of programs from the list with those available in the catalog, the service generates a list of outdated programs, indicating a download link opposite each one. On the program list page, you can see the latest version of each application, as well as the one installed on your computer. A separate list on the page shows beta versions of popular programs.
SUMo 2.6
Developer: KC SoftwaresDistribution size: 1.5 MB
Spreading: free This utility was created by the same developer who made a lot of other useful utilities, including such well-known ones as VideoInspector, KFK, AVIToolbox and others. The somewhat unusual name of the utility - SUMo - is actually an abbreviation and stands for Sofware Updates Monitor. SUMo allows you to search for updates on the Internet both for a single application and for all programs installed on the system. If you need to manually check the availability of an update for a specific utility, just drag its executable EXE file into the working window, then select a new item in the list and select the “Check” command in the program’s context menu. Similarly, you can “open” DLLs and ActiveX files in the program.
SUMo can also scan for installed applications. The scanning process will collect information about the installed version number and compare it with the latest available version. Scanning can be done in two modes - normal and advanced. The second option allows you to more accurately determine the list of installed software, but it will take more time to use. In the list of detected installed software, you can see the current version number and the name of the developer company. If the program detects that the installed application can be updated, the phrase “Update available” will be displayed in the “Update” column of the list of software being checked, and the update number will also be shown.
For clarity, each program in the list is marked with its own icon, which makes it possible, by taking a quick glance at the list of applications, to quickly determine which of the installed utilities are updated, for which updating is not necessary, and for which, on the contrary, it is highly recommended. Downloading updates is not very convenient - in order to download an update, you need to perform several steps. If you select the command in the context menu of the program "Update" or use the button of the same name in the SUMo window, the utility will redirect to the project page, where several links will be generated. Contrary to logic, these are not download links, but search queries, mainly from various large software catalogs. As a result, a somewhat strange picture emerges - Sofware Updates Monitor detects the presence of an update for the application, but the user often has to search for the update distribution package on his own. If the list of installed programs contains some for which you do not need to search for updates, you can create a list of applications prohibited for monitoring.
AppSnap 1.3.3
Developer: Ganesh ViswanathanDistribution size: 5.2 MB
Spreading: free To monitor new versions of applications, the AppSnap utility accesses its own database. Unfortunately, the number of supported programs is not very large, so it is possible that in the “Installed” section you will not see even half of the software available on your computer. The fact is that the program searches the system only for those applications for which it can show the availability of the latest versions. This is a very big drawback, although, in fairness, it should be noted that the small list of programs for which AppSnap can track updates is well selected. Indeed, it contains the most common utilities - 7-zip, Winamp, Firefox, uTorrent, Opera and other popular programs (several hundred in total).
You can download and install updates directly from the AppSnap window. During the boot process, a process status bar is displayed on the screen.
The developers entrusted users with replenishing the program database. So, in order for subsequent versions of the utility to be able to check for an update to a program that is not in the database, the “unknown application” must be entered manually by filling out the appropriate form on the official AppSnap website.
UpdateStar Premium 4
Developer: UpdateStarDistribution size: 4.8 MB
Spreading: shareware The UpdateStar interface is presented as a ribbon with tabs, each of which contains its own settings and tools. The program has multilingual support, including Russian. To make monitoring updates as convenient as possible, the program developers have endowed it with a number of features. Firstly, UpdateStar users will not need to search the Internet for software distributions, since the utility redirects to a page where there are download links. Secondly, the program has one very convenient function - sorting applications according to different criteria. Among these criteria there is, for example, “Security level”. This parameter is shown as a set of stars and characterizes how relevant the issue of data confidentiality is for a given application. Obviously, higher priority programs (with more stars) should be updated first.
By identifying the software installed on a computer and providing information about programs (latest version number, application security rating, etc.), UpdateStar relies on its own online database. Despite the huge number of applications indexed by this utility (about three hundred thousand of all kinds of items - from graphic editors and anti-virus programs to professional packages for application development, engineering design, etc.), errors and inaccuracies are possible in the process of work, which can be related to with erroneous entries in the system registry, or with the fact that the database may not have an entry about the found application. But even in this case, UpdateStar allows you to work around the problems. So, for example, a program that the program has not identified can be flagged and a request can be made to the UpdateStar developers about it. After some time, it will already be included in the database for monitoring updates, the volume of which, by the way, is constantly increasing. The accuracy of determining installed applications is quite high, but still, before starting a system scan, it would be a good idea to use the integrated registry cleaning tool. If, as a result of incorrect uninstallation of an application, unnecessary entries remain in the system registry, this tool will allow you to remove them. To be on the safe side, before deleting “junk” entries in the registry, you can make a backup copy of the deleted data in UpdateStar. In this case, if unplanned errors occur, you can import data into the registry, returning to the previous state.
In order to keep track of the release of new versions of programs, it is not at all necessary that they all be installed on a given computer. You can check the availability of new releases using a pre-exported list of programs. This list can be saved in UpdateStar's native format or as an HTML file. If, say, the update rating used by a program by default does not coincide with the user's ideas about which programs should be updated first, he can use an additional criterion - his own rating. By setting each program its own priority, you can quickly determine in the future which programs you use should be updated. You need to spend some time compiling your own rating. If you're too lazy to do this, you can simply focus on the average rating of applications, which is determined as the average data about user priorities in UpdateStar. The program also presents statistics on installed applications in the form of a visual diagram. UpdateStar stores update history. In the program, you can view statistics that contain data about the installation time of a particular application.
Once launched, UpdateStar analyzes the system and determines the versions of installed programs. By creating a list of installed software on the "Programs" tab, opposite each application whose version is outdated, the utility generates a link to download a more recent release. After clicking on this link, a browser window will open, which will provide detailed information about the selected program - screenshots of the application's working window, a link to the developer's official website, training videos demonstrating the program's capabilities (if any), and, of course, a direct link to download the new version. UpdateStar can automatically download along with the system and allows you to run scheduled update checks. The built-in task scheduler allows you to automatically monitor updates daily, weekly or monthly at a specific time. To download information from the Internet, the program can work with the specified proxy server settings and also use a secure SSL connection.