Switch from Secunia to Ninite Updater

Over five years ago I adopted Secunia PSI as the update management program for my clients. It has been a great help keeping my clients' computer software updated and patched. However, over time it has become slower and slower, sometimes just spacing out completely. It has also had trouble doing the updates, with clients having to call me for help with the updates. Recently, it just wouldn't install at all on a new system. I started looking for something better.

I have found a great replacement, Ninite Updater. It is not free, but the cost is very small. A one computer license is $10/yr., a 5 computer license $30/yr and further per computer discounts exist for 10 and 25 machines. I've been using it for a few months and it is terrific. I've put it on some client machines and it is working perfectly for them as well.

Why is it worth paying when Secunia is free?

Update checking occurs in the background, when updates are available, you are alerted.
Ninite downloads the updates to their very fast servers and does the updating for you flawlessly.
All the nagging for ASK toolbar, or McAfee are stripped out. No crapware is installed or offered. Your desktop shortcuts are not changed.
It is fast.
Even if two or three programs need updating, you'll just click update once. All the updating is handled for you.

Ninite updates 92 programs. They have chosen those very well, so the programs we should be updating are being updated and not others. I've posted their update list here.

So, what does it look like?
If Ninite detects an update, the icon turns red.

When it completes the update it turns green.

It checks for updates every few hours. I recommend that my clients make the switch to Ninite Updater. -- Even if you aren't one of my clients, you should probably use it.

Nothing is Perfect!

Even with Ninite Updater, there can be some difficulty. Sometimes a program is running and Ninite cannot update it while it is running. You'll get an error message like this:

This clearly lets you know what is wrong. So, if you see it open, just close it. But, if you don't see it open, perhaps it is in the system tray and you can Right Click and Quit the program. I have to do this when Evernote updates. Then just run the update again.

But sometimes the program doesn't seem to be running and isn't in the system tray, or is in the system tray but doesn't let you close it. In these situations I recommend using WinPatrol (the scotty dog) to close the application. Open Winpatrol and select the Active Tasks tab.

Find the task you want to stop, select it, and click the KILL Task button. Now try the update again.

I think you will be much happier with Ninite Updater than with Secunia PSI.

Date: August 2013

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Keeping clients' computers safe and profitable for over 30 years

Home Forms About Current Newsletter subscribe Search All Articles Browse by Category Security Internet Mobile Business Hardware Fun		Switch from Secunia to Ninite Updater Over five years ago I adopted Secunia PSI as the update management program for my clients. It has been a great help keeping my clients' computer software updated and patched. However, over time it has become slower and slower, sometimes just spacing out completely. It has also had trouble doing the updates, with clients having to call me for help with the updates. Recently, it just wouldn't install at all on a new system. I started looking for something better. I have found a great replacement, Ninite Updater. It is not free, but the cost is very small. A one computer license is $10/yr., a 5 computer license $30/yr and further per computer discounts exist for 10 and 25 machines. I've been using it for a few months and it is terrific. I've put it on some client machines and it is working perfectly for them as well. Why is it worth paying when Secunia is free? Update checking occurs in the background, when updates are available, you are alerted. Ninite downloads the updates to their very fast servers and does the updating for you flawlessly. All the nagging for ASK toolbar, or McAfee are stripped out. No crapware is installed or offered. Your desktop shortcuts are not changed. It is fast. Even if two or three programs need updating, you'll just click update once. All the updating is handled for you. Ninite updates 92 programs. They have chosen those very well, so the programs we should be updating are being updated and not others. I've posted their update list here. So, what does it look like? If Ninite detects an update, the icon turns red. When it completes the update it turns green. It checks for updates every few hours. I recommend that my clients make the switch to Ninite Updater. -- Even if you aren't one of my clients, you should probably use it. Nothing is Perfect! Even with Ninite Updater, there can be some difficulty. Sometimes a program is running and Ninite cannot update it while it is running. You'll get an error message like this: This clearly lets you know what is wrong. So, if you see it open, just close it. But, if you don't see it open, perhaps it is in the system tray and you can Right Click and Quit the program. I have to do this when Evernote updates. Then just run the update again. But sometimes the program doesn't seem to be running and isn't in the system tray, or is in the system tray but doesn't let you close it. In these situations I recommend using WinPatrol (the scotty dog) to close the application. Open Winpatrol and select the Active Tasks tab. Find the task you want to stop, select it, and click the KILL Task button. Now try the update again. I think you will be much happier with Ninite Updater than with Secunia PSI. Date: August 2013 This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
		I attempt to provide reliable information, but make no warranty as to the accuracy or safety of these articles. I disclaim all legal responsibility for what following these instructions may do. Follow my advice at your own risk