One big ease-of-use advantage Linux distributions have over Windows is the process of installing and updating applications - thanks to repositories and software like Debian's apt-get. Running Windows doesn't mean that you can't easily maintain your app installs. With a few helpful (and free) downloaders you can add that missing functionliaty to your system, too!
Here are five that I find particularly helpful - share your favorites in the comments!
(pictured above) - If you download malware fighting apps frequently, you need AMT. Nearly 40 programs are supported, including must-haves like MalwareBytes, CCleaner, Autoruns, Unlocker, Rootkit Revealer, and more. AMT also supports command line arguments for easy batch scripting and scheduling.
FileHippo Update Checker - FileHippo is one of the best places out there to download software. The site is well organized, and they do a good job of only listing quality apps. Their update checker makes it easy to keep your core free applications up to date. It's also available as a portable application.
GetIt - Wondering why AppSnap, AppUpdater, and Win-Get aren't listed? It's because
GetIt rolls all three into a single interface, is able to download over 400 applications, and integrates nicely with FARR. Don't worry about installing the supporting cast ahead of time, GetIt will grab them for you on the first launch. GetIt is also portable now, though you'll need to install the regular version first then create the portable file yourself.
Chrome Nightly Updater - If you prefer to rock a cutting-edge (and unstable) browser, nightly builds are the way to go. CNU makes short work of keeping your Chromium install hot-off-the-compiler fresh.
Ketarin - Are you the hands-on type? Ketarin is the downloader for you - think of it as a kicked-up frontend for wget. Since developers can frequently change folders and filenames (hello, version strings!) Ketarin can be a bit of work to maintain. It's not all DIY, though, as Ketarin also supports FileHippo program IDs - which never change.
User Suggestions
Radar Sync - Want to keep both your applications
and drivers updated? Check out RadarSync. The free (ad supported) version has all the functionality you need, and upgrading to the pro version will get you scheduled scanning and downloading. You can also choose to backup your software as an online pack with Packzoola. It's a nice safety net in case something goes horribly wrong with Windows and you have to re-download.
Update Notifier - Launch the EXE and you can choose to install Notifier or run it portably. It supports a broader range of apps than FileHippo. The download procedure is a little cumbersome, however. You'll be sent to the Notifier web site to manually click through (and read AdSense ads).
Tags: apt-get, downloaders, freeware, nightly-builds, updaters
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Comments
6
Subscribe to commentsjohnchMay 27th 2009 1:21PM
You forgot Radarsync. It's an update checker like file hippo (for apps and also drivers) but it also lets you create packs to save the software on your pc (as a backup). Radarsync will download the pack for you (or really any pack of software you want to make) all at once. check it out http://www.radarsync.com
bl!pMay 27th 2009 1:53PM
And there is also Update Notifier from cleansofts.org - I've had a larger range of software picked up by this compared to Filehippo.
GeirMay 27th 2009 3:22PM
Another one not mentioned is SUMo, which stands for Software Update Monitor.
http://www.kcsoftwares.com/index.php?sumo
I'm a big fan of FileHippo's Update Checker though, it works very well despite the Beta designation...
GeirMay 27th 2009 4:25PM
FYI
Just noticed that ESET NOD32 4.0 flagged SUMo 2.6.0.75 as a "Win32/Adware.Agent.NMA application".
KevinMay 27th 2009 3:48PM
I'm wondering if the updaters and installers that process installation files from CCleaner and other programs that offer an optional toolbar uncheck the option or not.
NeoprimalMay 27th 2009 7:48PM
I've been using update notifier for a while, VERY good.