Thread: Easily find updates

You can get around Windows' feeble bundled applications by installing replacements, then, but that only highlights another flaw - Windows Vista has almost no software
management features. If a Linux' user wants to install or upgrade a program
then in many cases they don't have to -waste' - time searching' online, manually downloading files or running installation programs. Instead they just run their package manager, choose the program they want from a menu, then it's downloaded, installed and later upgraded automatically. There's no fuss, no hassle or complications, it all just works.



There are no package managers that deliver the same level of functionality for Windows Vista, unfortunately, but we've found some tools that can at least make it easier to locate updates for your applications. Install the File Hippo Updatechecke updatechecker), for instance, and it'll scan your PC checking for installed applications, then report back any that have updates available (there's even a download link). It's a simple way to find out about the latest versions of your favourite applications and get their new features, bug fixes and speed improvements, without having to keep popping back to their website to check on what's available.

Updatechecker is incredibly easy to use, but doesn't recognise that many applications, so it's a good .idea to install at least one more update manager to offer a second opinion. Updatestar maintains a database of over 80,000 application versions and is probably the best choice, although Sumo is a close second and Secunia PSI is excellent at warning you about security patches that you really should have installed. Try them all, see which on:e works out best for you.