Ninite

Whether you're an IT professional dealing with the daunting task of dealing with a new shipment of PCs for the whole office or a single user who just wants to get your new laptop up and running without spending a whole afternoon going through the process, getting a new PC in the shape you want can be a royal pain. Ninite automates the tasks involved, setting up your software for you and making sure you don't have to worry about accidentally loading your computer down with bloatware and spyware. Ninite's interface is simple, and most of the decision making can be handled before you even download the program. The website for Ninite contains a comprehensive checklist of compatible software that Ninite is equipped to install. These include dozens of pieces of software in all the major categories. Whether you're looking to use a different browser than that pre-installed with your operating system, improve your computer's security with antivirus and spyware detection software, or create a machine custom built for graphic design functionality, you'll find most of the major software products available. Other categories include software development tools, media programs like music and video players, and messaging apps. That said, there's never more than a dozen options in each category, so some lesser known but well functioning specialized pieces of software may get overlooked if you choose to use Ninite to handle all of your major installations. All you have to do to get started is check off the boxes next to each. Then click on the Ninite download app, and it will automatically sync up with your checklist and make sure everything you're in need of is downloaded and installed. Ninite is vigilant in their update process, so you'll be sure that everything you download to your machine is the latest and greatest version available. Ninite self automates, so you won't have to set up any configuration options or set any preferences. These downloads are lean as well. Ninite downloads the cleanest versions by default to reduce the clutter of unnecessary or unwanted bloatware and toolbars. It installs each piece of software to its default directory, and it skips through the automatic reboot process most pieces of software require until the end to speed up the process and reduce the aggravations of constantly having to reset your PC. For the security of their customers, Ninite only approves downloads from the official sites of the software providers, and they vet all of their partners to make sure the software being downloaded is safe. Ninite runs in the background with minimal fuss and low cost to your CPU. Once you have it set up, you can trust it to constantly keep in touch with your software and make updates as needed. That makes it a valuable quality of life addition to any IT professional's toolkit.