Whenever you setup a new windows computer, you always need to install software. Now you can save yourself hours with these simple five steps. These steps will not only allow you to install new software, but will also allow you to update that same software even quicker. I’ll give you the steps, then I’ll explain everything in more detail.
- Go to ninite.com.
- Check each software package you want to install or update.
- Hit the Get Your Ninite button or press ALT+SHIFT+G.
- Download the Ninite software.
- Run the software.
Once the software installs everything for you, updating that software just takes one step. Simply run the same Ninite installer you downloaded from before, and all the software will update.
What is Ninite?
Ninite is a website that generates a software installer/updater for you based on the software you select. Ninite doesn’t install anything extra, like toolbars or any other unwanted crap. Ninite also doesn’t ask you any questions when you run the software. It won’t even ask you to restart your computer! If you don’t have the software, Ninite will get it from the software vendor’s website, download it, then install it for you automatically. If you already have the software on your computer, it will download the update and install that update for you, again, without asking you any questions along the way.
Ninite will work on Windows 7, 8x,and 10, and also on Windows servers, for you IT pros out there.
Getting Your Ninite
The easiest way to get your Ninite installer/updater is to simply go to ninite.com. Note that they do have a page for software that is accessible For screen readers at ninite.com/accessible. As far as I can tell, this page for screen reader users only places the NVDA screen reader at the top of the list of checkboxes. If you go with the regular website, NVDA is in the Other category of software.
Clickers can simply check the software they want; screen reader users can move down to the heading called Pick the Apps You Want, then tab through the list. When you hear a software package you want to install or update, just check it with the SPACE BAR. Of course, you can uncheck it with the same key if you check a software package by mistake.
The categories of software that you can install/update are as follows: web browsers, messaging, media, runtimes, imaging, documents, security, file sharing, online storage, other, utilities, compression, and developer tools.
When you are done selecting your software, you can press ALT+SHIFT+G to activate the Get Your Ninite button, or you can activate the button in the usual way. Depending on your browser, you will either be prompted to run or download the software. I would recommend saving it into your downloads folder so that you can rerun it later to update your software.
Running Your Ninite
Once you run the Ninite software, you’ll have a progress bar indicating that work is being done. You can also activate the Details button to see what software is being installed, as well as its status. This is a list that you can arrow through to see what’s going on. When you are done, you will have a Finish button. Activating it will close the Ninite software. It might be a good idea to restart your computer at this point.
Final Thoughts
You may want to rename your Ninite installer, as it can generate quite a long name, depending on how many software packages you selected. Renaming the Ninite software package will make it much easier to find it later. You could just call it something like Ninite updater. A lot of software does get updated automatically today, but I would recommend you set yourself a reminder, perhaps once a month, or possibly once a quarter, to run your Ninite updater. You could also check the Ninite website once in a while to see if they have added any new software that you may want to add to your Ninite package. If you do this, just delete your old Ninite installer software and simply follow the steps again to recreate your Ninite with the new software that you want.
With that, have a good Ninite!
Qapla!
The Geek on Skates
July 17, 2019I’ve used Ninite before, and it’s really great! It’s simple, includes a ton of software (even developer tools for geeks like me), and it’s free. I especially like that it says “no” to all the bloatware that usually comes with software installers. I even got NVDA with it!
The only things I would suggest not using Ninite for are Python or Java (please excuse my foul language, Casey 🙂 ). To really do either of those things right, especially if you’re not a coder, you would actually want some of the extras; the default installers set environment variables and do other stuff that you’ll have to do yourself if you use Ninite. But who wants J*va anyway?