Updating softwares is necessary for a PC because these days the software developers are releasing their software updates quite frequently and when it comes to browsers it is even frequent, Google releases weekly updates for its browser, Chrome (in developer channel). An Update checker is a simple piece of software which checks updates for the softwares installed on your PC; it saves you a lot of time.
How it Works?
Update checkers generally have a database of latest softwares, so when you run an Update checker it checks the version of the software installed on your PC and the latest software version available in its database.
If your firewall blocks these Update checkers, then add them to the exceptions list because they need to access internet in order to update your softwares. Here are some of the best Update checkers –
FileHippo Update Checker
FileHippo is one the best software hosting websites. Its software detection rate makes it the best Update Checker. It is portable enough. When I scanned my system, it showed me 16 updates of which 3 were Beta updates. As FileHippo doesn’t host commercial/shareware softwares, you won’t be able to see updates for paid softwares installed on your system.
Download Link: FileHippo Update Checker
TechTracker
TechTracker is developed by the famous software hosting website, Download.com (Cnet). It is portable too but with less software detection rate. It showed me 13 updates. TechTracker has a major advantage over FileHippo Update checker i.e. it checks updates of commercial softwares (as download.com contains shareware too!).
Download Link: TechTracker
Update Star
Update Star is available in two versions; one is freeware while the other is premium/shareware. The freeware gives you access to only limited number of updates (it showed me only 6 updates). It has a good visual appealing interface (similar to Snagit Image capture utility) but it’s a bit bulky than the other Update Checkers.
Software Informer
It is developed by informer.com. When I ran it, what amazed me is that it showed updates for not just softwares, but also for drivers installed on my system! But unfortunately it didn’t give the download links for the updated drivers; instead it gave link to my laptop manufacturer’s site. It showed me a total of 32 updates of which 2-3 were false positives. So it is my second choice (after FileHippo update checker).
Author: Vibin works for GO-Globe.com, a Guangzhou Website Development and web design shanghai company that provides web design solutions in Shenzhen, Beijing, etc.
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