If you tire of trying to remember all the useful software tools that you might look for on a fresh install, we suggest you check out File Hippo, an excellent resource for the latest software.
In one location you’ll find download links for a huge range of open-source, freeware and shareware tools, utilities, media players, and much more. Some of our favourite web design tools are in there as well, including Notepad++ and MySQL. In addition to this, File Hippo have created their own update checker, which allows you to quickly find out if there are newer versions of your installed software available. In their own words:
With filehippo.com our aim is to provide you with the simplest method of downloading the newest versions of the best software – without the usual excessive popups or spyware and without the low quality software.
What’s on offer?
File Hippo have broken everything down into helpful categories:
- Browsers and Plugins
- File Sharing
- Messaging and Chat
- File Transfer
- Office and News
- Developer Tools
- Anti-Spyware
- Firewalls and Security
- Anti-Virus
- Cleaning and Tweaking
- Compression and Backup
- Benchmarking
- Networking
- Audio and Video
- CD and DVD Tools
- Desktop
- Imaging
- Drivers
It is certainly an extensive list and what’s more it’s kept vigorously up to date, even to the extent that they seem to get updates out faster than some software manages to self-update1.
Each piece of software they list has it’s own page, complete with a description of the software, some screen shots, and not just a download link but a collection of previous versions just in case an older version offers something you’re missing.
From a licensing point of view, File Hippo do show Commercial Trials and Shareware in addition to the Freeware and Open Source offerings, but they have a useful filter that allows you to cut out those trials and shareware, as well as being able to filter out beta versions of software.
All in all, not only have we found most of the software that we use regularly, but the site has also revealed a few useful tools which we hadn’t come across before such as XN View, Process Explorer, Maxthon and more.
The cherry on top!
If all of that isn’t enough to tweak your interest, then you need to know about the File Hippo Update Checker.
The update checker is a useful little utility that runs direct from a downloadable exe2, and scans your computer for what versions of software you have installed. They then take this information and sends it to their server to see if they can offer you any newer versions and/or beta versions.
It does require the Microsoft .NET framework, version 2.0, but of course this is available as a download on their site as well.
If you’re concerned about having your computer scanned and information flying off across the internet, don’t worry, their privacy policy is very clear on this:
The Update Checker will not send any personal information back to filehippo.com. The only information collected is a list of programs and their versions, along with the operating system details to help with processing. Additionally none of this is linked to your IP address and the logs are deleted after processing.
The results are impressive. As you can see from the screen shot, everything from my ATI catalyst drivers, to IE and Non-IE versions of the latest flash player, to Google Desktop (which is meant to be self-updating as well!). In addition to this, File Hippo picked up 7 beta versions of software we have installed, of which 3 or 4 will definitely be tested out.
We recommend you check out their site, and feel pretty sure you’ll be going back there over and again.
7:12 pm
September 29th, 2007
Love filehippo.Have been using it for years.Work in tech support for an isp.Comes is real handy
7:53 pm
September 29th, 2007
Aye, it really is great.
I’m in the middle of installing a new laptop for my girlfriend and it was my first stop after downloading Firefox and AVG Free Edition!
It’s such a great one-stop-shop
7:15 pm
October 6th, 2007
Quite simply the best one-stop freeware resource available. I remember a site called filepile.com waaaaay back in the late 90s that was similar, but filehippo is the ultimate.
It’s the sort of site you just want to contribute to because it’s always just been such a massive help.
11:33 am
October 21st, 2007
File Hippo is a great resource, useful for everyone who doesn’t like to waste time. Absolutely agree.
11:37 am
January 30th, 2008
File Hippo really simplifies life in its easy to use format. It helps me keep all my software applications up to date with their simple to use Update Checker. When I need to do complete recovery restore on my computer, this is the first place I start to download most of my regular software and freeware appications like my browsers, utility and registry cleaners, media players, and some security applications. I am truly thankful I discovered this site as it comes in handy so often for just regular updates and new releases including Beta. A godsend! One quick scan of your computer can detect most software applications particularly freeware that needs updates.
11:42 pm
February 19th, 2008
I will like to try it and see how it works
11:09 pm
February 20th, 2008
File hippo has been very helpful for me…hats off to everyone behind file hippo…looking forward to loads of new software…
7:48 pm
February 21st, 2008
@Kumar: It’s great isn’t it. Really speeds up the process of updating software and is a great resource for finding new freeware and open source stuff that I didn’t know existed.
@Eddie: Definitely check it out. It’s a very simple idea, and the File Hippo update checker is great for keeping your software up to date.
11:16 am
February 27th, 2008
I want Kaspersky!
12:07 pm
May 19th, 2008
Genuinely a free software site without any virus.
5:03 am
June 10th, 2008
Thanks for a great software like Hippo …
I am bookmarking it.
2:55 pm
November 30th, 2008
File hippo has been very helpful for me…hats off to everyone behind file hippo…looking forward to loads of new software…
2:07 pm
January 13th, 2009
looking for modem driver for a compaq presario 2100 (laptop)
11:27 am
January 14th, 2009
Hi Carl,
If you are looking for drivers I would suggest heading to the HP site to download the correct drivers. If you visit this page you’ll see a list of different laptop models – you should be able to find the exact model of your laptop on the underside of your machine.
Hope that helps.
Alex
5:35 pm
January 15th, 2009
File Hippo is a great website! It gives me lots of software
3:28 pm
January 20th, 2009
how do you download the free softwere nero
3:41 pm
January 20th, 2009
Hi Amy,
I’m afraid to report that Nero is not offered for free. It is possible that a limited version is packaged free with some laptops, but the only thing you can get is a “commerical trial” over at their website.
I would suggest that you try one of the free alternatives, such as CD Burner XP, which I have found very reliable. Failing that, have a look through the CD and DVD Tools section over on File Hippo for other ideas.
5:49 pm
January 28th, 2009
Filehippo is the best website for best software, drivers and programmes!
1:17 pm
March 16th, 2009
It is good site but in my opinion they should add to their programs base next ones:
doPDF
Revo Uninstaller
Power Defragmenter
And Update Checker has problems with detecting these software:
Adobe Reader
DirectX
ESET Nod32
FastStone Image Viewer
Java Runtime Environment
GIMP
8:55 am
March 18th, 2009
Filehippo is the best site to find things free to download and easy site for everybody.
Filehippo is the only site and easy site for children or adult to get acess in it for better softwares ( antivirus, player, adobe reader, burning prograz etc) so, i recommended filehippo for everybody that, it is the only site to give you what you need for your computer in this world.
Thanks you:
10:00 pm
April 16th, 2009
great place and is where im tryin to get my version of free open office .
5:15 pm
April 30th, 2009
i love file hippo, if you need to find anything go to file hippo first, it may shorting your search
2:35 am
May 16th, 2009
I can not hook up my printer it is a HP Photosmart P1000 and I do not have the CD please help install.
1:15 pm
May 16th, 2009
Hi Jon,
It sure is fantastic. You can also download Open Office (which is always free) from the Open Office website where they offer a variety of languages, and the option to download via other mediums such as BitTorrent and so on.