CNET Editors' review
It's important to have up-to-date software, but the best time to update a program isn't while you're trying to use it. Patch My PC can automatically update Oracle Java but also Adobe Reader, Flash, Air, and Shockwave; Mozilla Firefox; Skype; Google Chrome; Apple iTunes and QuickTime; and many others. It's portable freeware that runs immediately when you open it, without needing to be installed.
Patch My PC's compact interface is packed with information. Though it's small and busy, it's also a standard Explorer-style layout underneath, with a toolbar/tabbed navigation console and main window displaying a list view of all our applicable programs color-coded by availability of updates. The console's tabs displayed "Common" programs, such as our browsers and plug-ins, and "Other" programs ranging from 7Zip to Yahoo Messenger, each with a check box for adding it to Patch My PC's scans. The Options/Tools tab let us select programs to skip, have the program delete desktop shortcuts after installing software such as Reader, and many other choices. A startup manager and uninstaller add extra capabilities. The program can also check for Windows Updates.
We made our selections, which basically involved adding Other programs to the scan and excluding some from the main list. We clicked Re-Check Software. Patch My PC turned up seven Common updates and three Other updates. We clicked Perform Updates, and the program automatically downloaded and installed all the updates we'd checked. We could click Cancel and Close to terminate the process. Patch My PC notified us of any outdated programs and even uninstalled them and reinstalled the updated versions, and also asked us to close our Web browser for an update. Patch My PC updated Google Earth and Chrome, VLC, Microsoft Silverlight, Skype, and others in just a few minutes. Running this simple but effective tool regularly can help you keep your system current.
Publisher's Description
From Patch My PC:
Patch My PC is a utility designed to check your system against the current version of Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash, Mozilla Firefox, Oracle Java, and Apple Quicktime.
When started PatchMyPC will scan for outdated software automatically. If software is outdated it will show as Red, if it's updated it will show as Green, and if it's not installed it will show as black. There are also many optional updates that can be installed with PatchMyPC. You can install optional updates by checking the checkbox in the optional software. It has optional software should only be installed if you want the software and it's not currently installed.
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All versions:
4.1 starsout of 12 votes
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Current version:
0 stars Be the first to review this product -
My rating:
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"Fast, efficient, super-lightweight update application."
Version: Patch My PC 2.3.0.2
Pros
No install. Works well. Supports the usual suspects of software found on most PCs. Ad-free freeware. Install on a network share and run on any computer on a LAN.
Cons
In a muti-user environment, the same updates will have to be downloaded again and again - no getting around that without a caching proxy. The list of 'other' software is a bit arbitrary.
Summary
Wile it can't support every program ever written, it does deal with the most common ones. Quiet, fast and effective: highly recommended. (While the authors should not have written reviews or replied to the more deranged comments here, that doesn't detract from the excellent functionality of the program.)
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"I have Firefox v.12, but it reports that I have v.10."
Version: Patch My PC 2.1.1.6
Pros
Fast automatic patching.
Cons
Reports wrong version(v.10) of Firefox when you already have correct version (v.12)
Summary
Manual intervention needed to correct wrong reporting.
Otherwise an excellent automatic software patcher. -
"Great Utility"
Version: Patch My PC 2.0.8.1
Pros
Very useful for updating a existing PC and installing common software after a fresh install! It's portable
Cons
Could add more supported languages.
Summary
Great Tool will use from now on
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"Easy to use"
Version: Patch My PC 2.0.8.1
Pros
Updated all programs it detected easy to use
Cons
I didn't notice anything
Summary
Useful Program!
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"Does not do a complete job."
Version: Patch My PC 2.0.8.1
Pros
Appears to be "very" easy to use
Cons
Does not seem to update all the software it finds - it wouldn't even update itself when I started it
Summary
I would not recommend this product
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"Good idea but runs like an early Beta - lots of bugs"
Version: Patch My PC 2.0.7.5
Pros
This program is a very good idea for updating many software utilities and windows updates within one utility program. PatchMyPC catches a lot of program updates overlooked by another good program, FreeApps. The initial start-up and search engine of PatchMyPC is good, for the interface shows what programs need updating, and what the newest version is of each specific program.
Cons
1. The main user interface is lacking adequate status information about what step PatchMyPC is at or currently performing.
2. There is often no information listed in the status area about which program is currently being reviewed or updated.
3. Checking or unchecking boxes in the options section sometimes results in unhandled errors, causing PatchMyPC to go into a crashed or semi-crashed state.Summary
I think this is a good program for those folks who are technically savy, for you may have to fix some errors caused by this program or program updates that don't work.
Also, please note that 3 of the reviews were written by PatchMyPC. The developers of this software may be trying artificially boost the review results. If this is actually the case, I would stay completely away from this product because the developer has no integrity.
My over all recommendation is to wait about 3 to 6 months from the date of this post before trying PatchMyPC on your computer. Once the bugs are resolved, this will be a great utility program anyone could use who is running a Windows based computer to help keep their software up to date.
Updated on Jan 23, 2012 -
"usefull software for update some programs"
Version: Patch My PC 1.1.4
Pros
Portable, completly free, vork well
It can make window update also and other thingsCons
It is limited in software hat we can have.
Summary
Therefore this software is usefull for many users
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"@ tiffythurman"
Version: Patch My PC 1.1.1
Pros
PatchMyPC does not contain any security alerts. tiffythurman PatchMyPC doesn't have a uninstall option because it never gets installed. It's just a stand alone executable.
Cons
None None None
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"SECURITY ALERTS!"
Version: Patch My PC 1.1.1
Pros
No Pros to be mentioned.
Cons
NO Uninstaller options.
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"Works GOOD"
Version: Patch My PC 1.0.2
Pros
Updates Software!
Cons
None None None
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