SUMO replacement

[Shrek]

I really liked SUMO for checking for software updates, but

"KC Softwares activities are to be terminated by end of October 2023."

Any recomended replacements?

 

[MarsM4N]

Yea, also just got the "Server error" message while trying to check for updates. Checked their webpage for a update and saw the EOL banner.

https://www.kcsoftwares.com/?sumo
I am devastated! This was the most useful software I had on my drive. Was using it since "Secunia PSI" shut down. I really don't understand why the heck they're all closing doors. Can't imagine it's that expensive to run a server which basically just checks for software updates. Looks like the alternatives left are pretty inferior, so I guess our only hope is that someone else picks up the program.

[KC Software Forums] End of Life...

Maybe TPU could carry the torch forward? @W1zzard It's a pretty popular software & would draw in quite some new visitors.

 

[W1zzard]

Cool software indeed, first time I hear about it though.

Lots of admin overhead though and not sure if the revenue will be enough to pay a full-time person checking for updated software and adding the database

 

[Shrek]

I conjectured (and so am probably wrong) that each check sent back a report on what one had installed; this way when the first person installs a new version the mothership knew about it.

This was my way of explaining false positives as coming from people with development versions on their machine.

 

[Shihab]

Kaspersky had something similar, if you keep your russophobia in check. Not sure if a standlone version still exists tho. Skimming through Google results, it seems it was integrated with their AV suite.

Only other solution I can think of is using package managers. Easiest would be Microsoft Store (or was it Windows Store?). Although that would lock you to whatever they have in stock.

 

[plat]

I don't use updater software but the developer Kyle Katarn has been working with the developer of uCheck which is another software updater. Someone on another forum mentioned that SUMo should be made open-source so it can continue its service. The developer declined to comment in detail about that so who knows.

SUMo : Keep your software up to date

[SUMo] Error Report for LibreOffice Portable Still by PortableApps.com v 7.5.5.0 - SUMo reports Update available (7.6.0.0) Sumo still cannot...

www.wilderssecurity.com

I installed uCheck to test it out and it found 5 updates including one (WebView 2 runtime) that I would never have thought to update myself (I do not run Edge). One referenced an update that didn't exist. Two others were legit and I refused to update my graphics driver. The free version does not install the update for you. The dev names some more possibilities but I can't vouch for them, only uCheck which I've since removed. You can read about uCheck in this thread. There are nags to upgrade to a subscription and I don't know whether you can shut them off as I didn't keep the software installed for very long. It's definitely a work in progress but I'm grateful for the couple of updates it provided.

SUMo : Keep your software up to date

[SUMo] Error Report for LibreOffice Portable Still by PortableApps.com v 7.5.5.0 - SUMo reports Update available (7.6.0.0) Sumo still cannot...

www.wilderssecurity.com

KC Softwares, maker of SUMO and other apps, is shutting down - gHacks Tech News

Software development company KC Softwares, maker of SUMO, DUMO and other apps, announced the shutting down of its business.

ghacks.net

UCheck - Update your software in 2 clicks

It's always a pain to keep all your software updated to their latest version. Usually you need to open each software, find the "about" section, open...

www.wilderssecurity.com

 

[Bill_Bright]

I checked out SUMo many years ago but the "security alert" hairs on the back of my neck started vibrating. I remember it being a good program in terms of functionality, look and feel. But I didn't (and still don't) like the idea of a 3rd party program having a full inventory of all the software installed on my computer, or that it regularly checks to make sure it is all current. I personally have nothing to hide (other than my personal information, etc.) but not the point. Others might and I do have clients who have very sensitive customer information, for example, in programs they use for their businesses.

The concept is great. And based on KC Softwares other programs (like Startup Sentinel), I trusted the company to not do anything nefarious. But considering how frequently and successful the bad guys are hacking into organization's networks (see this), I didn't, and don't feel comfortable using SUMo, or recommending it or similar programs - especially when most software either auto checks, or has a simple menu option to check for updates making it easy to keep our installed software updated anyway.

Still, in this case, according to their site, the entire KC Softwares company is, or rather has closed its door. And sadly, they have offered no explanation. We consumers need these small developers to fill various niche markets. I personally don't want Symantec/Norton or the ilk scooping them up then ruining the program, or just driving them out of business - as they so often do with their [perceived?] competition.

We can only hope the developer has decided it was time to retire, lay back in the sun with a frosty margarita in hand, and simply enjoy the fruits of his labor.

 

[Jose Jeswin]

i had used this for sometime during 2015-2017 period..

Download Software Informer

Software Informer is a tiny and powerful program that keeps all your PC software up to date and makes discovering new programs fun and easy.

software.informer.com

 

[Sara59]

Hi, I tried a lot of others since they closed shop and I think the best are Software informer or Winget UI. I only started with Winget UI, but it looks very promising. It is based on Windows and looks quite good. At the other programs there were always missing updates. Maybe here I’m onto something

 

[Shrek]

I am trying UCheck, but it considers versions still in development as the latest.

This 'community' feature can be turned off

 

[Sara59]

I am trying UCheck, but it considers versions still in development as the latest.

I tried it for a while, but it didn't find too many updates

 

[Deleted member 57642]

I use/prefer WingetUI:

UniGetUI - Martí Climent

UniGetUI: A better UI for your package managers. Install, update remove and manage any software you want to with UniGetUI

www.marticliment.com

Which is basically an UI (User Interface) for Winget (Microsoft's own update manager - which by default it's Command-Line-Interface/CMD/Terminal) - but also has access to the update database from the following package managers:

- Scoop (A command-line installer for Windows)
- Chocolatey (The Package Manager for Windows Modern Software Automation)
- Pip (Package installer for Python)
- NET Tool

Which is optional ofc (not set by default - you'll have to set that manually from WingetUI Settings > Package Manager Preferences).

It's an open source project.

 

[Sara59]

I know, that’s why I thought it to be really good. But I don’t know why, software informer send already two updates and nothing on winget