TechTracker is a new service from CNET that scans your computer’s hard-drive for any outdated software programs and will alert you as soon as new updates are available for download.
Related: Find software updates for your computer automatically
The TechTracker app scans your installed software and then retrieves the version information provided in the executable files that come with these applications. It then compares this data with their own database of software products to see if there’s any version mismatch.
If there’s a new version available for your software, you can download it directly from the download.com website or click the "more info" link to view user ratings and other details of that software program before downloading.
CNET’s TechTracker is available for all versions of Windows and a Mac version is in the pipeline. You may either use Facebook Connect or create a free account at CNET.com to use the TechTracker service.
With TechTracker, you can also set up an email alerts for all your software programs so you’ll get an email as soon as a new version is released by the software developers without having to wait for the software scanner to inform you.
VersionTracker is another popular service that offers similar features and the very interesting part is that both these services are owned by CNET / CBS Networks.
The difference is that TechTracker is a free product and limited to software applications only while VersionTracker will scan software as well as hardware drivers though it costs money. Going forward, I think CNET will also release a pro version of the TechTracker application that will have all the features of VersionTracker and possibly some more.
Find this article at: http://www.labnol.org/software/scan-computer-for-outdated-software/9933/
Reader Comments
Very interesting service – could be very useful for people, but it requires that software vendors register (and update) their applications in the CNET database.
Thanks – we’ll consider adding our product information to the CNET database because of this !
Written by Atle Iversen on 09.23.09
I use Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI) to track outdated & end-of-life software
Written by Rahul on 09.23.09
Secunia also do a personal/commercial product to scan home computers for out-of-date & unpatched software. I use the home version (Secunia PSI) and it seems to work well. It will be interesting to try this too and see how they compare… And no, I’m not related to the company at all!
Written by hieroglyph on 09.23.09
Filehippo’s app for that is another.
However Tech tracker looks much better.
Written by Akshay on 09.24.09
My CometBird already does same for me.
I need not install any software for this.
thanks for sharing this.
Written by ravi santlani on 09.24.09
Cool, thanks for posting!
Written by Jayne on 09.24.09