Here's Why You Must Keep Your Software Updated (and how to do it for free) - Comments Page 1

Updating programs on an older PC can make some programs unable to run on that PC.

Bob—
I use SUMo (free version) for two big reasons.
1) As you noted, it finds things that the other updater do not, and I can add programs to check. I run it once a month.
2) I like the manual update, so I can verify I am getting the update from the vendor website, and I get to look at changelogs for new/changed features. Sometimes, especially with freeware/donationware, tools I use are deprecated or changed.

dutchovenhat

I ran Patch My PC. It was easy to use but for some reason it does not appear on my Windows 10 list of programs (even after restarting the computer). Suggestions ?

This is in reference to your recommendation of iDrive backup software for cloud backup. I got IDrive and started to set up the schedule for a complete system image for my 3 main computers, two of which contain hundreds of CAD drawings in the form of G-codes for cutting silhouettes. Then I found that they don't support Win7 systems unless I do a local and then upload that but apparently not with operating system recovery, etc. By the time I had to talk to support multiple times just to try to understand procedure I decided that their software was in competition with Microsoft to write the most unintuitive software possible. I'm no tech genius but have run many programs, most of which were multiple times more direct with directions than IDrive. I'm not giving up yet but I will be open to checking out other vendors in the future.

Glary Utilities identifies apps needing updates and will statr the update process for you. It also offers several good clean-up utilities. It is powerful, free, and also offers its Pro version free if you have obtained the code. It is one of the basic apps our large computer club recommends to our members to maintain their devices.

I clicked on patch my pc in your article and it says Free trial...and get a quote. So, this appears not to be free after the trial..

EDITOR'S NOTE: There is no free trial or any payment required. Try again, look for the link that says "Download Patch My PC Home Updater 4.2.0.5"

@mike. Glary Utilities appear to be a bit iffy in my view. A Chinese firm with poor support all in Chinglish, and this from AskWoody forum:-

"The Terms of Use found on their site says (in part):

GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION: These terms and conditions hereof will be governed by the laws of the People’s Republic of China."

That was enough for me to uninstall.

Bob,

If people use PC Matic and schedule scans, it will also update software (some) and drivers. I am surprised you missed that. I schedule my scans on my PC weekly and often see that it updates my browsers and other software when new releases/updates are available. Same with drivers.

Generally I agree you don't need a third party driver updater. By the way, CCLEANER (even the free version) will tell you about out of date drivers. I just ran it and it identified a few drivers that are "out of date". But since everything works I am not going to update them.

Recently my HP printer stopped working. Everything said I had the latest driver. The only way I could get it working again was to reinstall the software from the HP site.

So since CCLEANER said my Brother printer driver was out of date, I went to the Brother site and ran its software update checker. It said I needed to update the driver. So Windows update doesn't always keep things up to date.

Brian B: I bet you do not realize just how many items you use are made in China and outside the USA. Sounds like you are listening to advice from someone a bit paranoid or who is trying to sell subscriptions..

I find your reply to be off topic as well as offensive. You imply that I am a bit simple not knowing the amount of Chinese second rate products are being used, and that I am listening to paranoids.
I was merely pointing out that The Chinese government has not got a very good record in the world of cyber spying, and that I was not interested in using Chinese software for that reason, and a few others. I did point out that it was my view, and if you want to use Glarysoft utilities, that is your decision and I have no objection to that.
Have a nice day.

Brian B - I appreciate your comment about Glary Utilities being Chinese software and am uninstalling it from my computer. The issue in this case is TRUST (or specifically lack thereof). I'll switch to one of the other good options in the article, thank you!

Are there versions of Patch My PC for Apple products or Chrome?

Craig: the reason PatchMyPC does not appear in the program lists is that it is not *installed*, it is just run. Move the downloaded file to any folder and run it from there, even the desktop. Or create a shortcut and drop it on the start menu.

Not mentioned, but should be, is that PatchPyPC isn't just an updater, one can use it to *install* any of the 300 programs it supports. I use it to download and install the common free programs I like on new, or newly reset, PCs.

Sharon: There is a paid version of PatchMyPC, you must have clicked on that. The Home updater version is 100% free and not even ad- or nag-ware.

Highly recommended. It's the first program I add to any new PC. (I can't say 'install' because it's not installed!)

Does Windows Update for drivers work for Windows 7?

Because I'm using Win 7.

I'm the developper of SUMo. Thank you Bob !
Let me know if you have feedback to share or suggestion for improvement but generally, SUMo detects MUCH MORE Software and Updates than any other competitors you mention here.

We also have DUMo for Drivers Update Monitor

SUMo : https://www.kcsoftwares.com/?sumo
DUMo : https://www.kcsoftwares.com/?dumo

I have experienced issues at times with software updates have bugs or issues that later need patching. I can recall having unknown computer problems following software updates. This is why, except for security software, I will often delay downloading the latest uopdate.

I had been using Glary Utilities for several years until this week. I did not realize that Glary is a Chinese based company. Even though I have had no trouble with their software, I do not want to have anything on my computer that is provided by a Russian or Chinese based/associated company. From this day forward, I will attempt to check the nation of origin for any software I install on my computers in order to avoid getting software from companies based in nations I do not trust.

I just don't think doing so is worth the risk,

Ernie

Bob and All - This is a great article, and the comments keep me informed about some of the strange things our there.

There is one application I will not update however - QuickBooks. QB updates seems to be for the sole purpose of pushing more Intuit products onto you machine. They don't provide even the vaguest explanation about the updates. QB is enough of a resource hog that I don't want to invite more problems in.