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.
The five steps
Step 1. Go to ninite.com.
Step 2. Check each software package you want to install or update.
Step 3. Activate the Get Your Ninite button.
Step 4. Download the Ninite installer.
Step 5. Run the installer.
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 and 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 bug you with reboot prompts from installers. You basically click it, then go make a sandwich.
If you don’t have the software, Ninite pulls it from the software vendor’s official site, downloads it, then installs it for you automatically. If you already have the software on your computer, it downloads the update and installs that update for you, again, without asking you any questions along the way.
One more nice touch, it verifies digital signatures or hashes before running anything, which is a fancy way of saying it tries to make sure what it downloaded is legit.
What versions of Windows does it work with?
At the moment, Ninite says it works on Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.x, and Windows 7, plus equivalent Windows Server versions.
If you are still on Windows XP or Windows Vista, Ninite ended support for those a while back, so it’s time to let those machines retire with dignity.
Getting your Ninite
The easiest way to get your Ninite installer and updater is to go to ninite.com.
They also have a screen-reader-focused list at ninite.com/accessible. This page is a curated set of apps they say have been tested and are known to work with common screen readers.
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, check it with the Space Bar. You can uncheck it with the same key if you check something by mistake.
When you are done selecting your software, Tab to the Get Your Ninite button and activate it. Depending on your browser, you will either be prompted to run or download the installer.
I recommend saving it into your Downloads folder, or a Utilities folder, so that you can rerun it later to update your software.
Running your Ninite
Once you run the Ninite installer, you get a progress bar indicating work is being done. There is also a Details button that lets you see what software is being installed, along with its status.
That Details list is something you can Arrow through if you are curious, or if you just want to watch the magic happen.
When it finishes, you will have a Finish button. Activating it closes the installer. It might be a good idea to restart your computer at this point, even if Ninite did not bug you about it.
Frequently asked questions
Will Ninite try to sneak in toolbars or junkware?
No. That’s one of the whole points of Ninite. It’s designed to say no to extra junk.
Do I have to babysit installers and keep pressing Next?
No. Ninite is meant to be unattended. It runs through installs and updates without asking you questions along the way.
If I lose the installer, do I have to start over?
Yes. The installer is your custom updater for the apps you picked. If you delete it, you can recreate it by selecting the same apps again on the site.
Final thoughts
You may want to rename your Ninite installer, because it can generate a pretty long filename depending on how many apps you selected. Renaming it makes it much easier to find later. You could call it something like Ninite updater.
A lot of software does update automatically today, but I still recommend you set yourself a reminder, maybe once a month or once a quarter, to run your Ninite updater.
You can also check the Ninite website once in a while to see if they have added any new software you want. If you do, just delete your old Ninite installer and follow the steps again to generate a new one with your updated app list.
With that, have a good Ninite!
Qapla!
I’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?