For Windows users, keeping applications up to date can be a hassle. Some programs alert you to new updates, but wouldn’t it be better to have a single program that keeps an eye on all your software?

This is where Softonic comes into play. Softonic keeps a master list of applications and will query Softonic's database for updates, alerting you when an update for a program is available, quickly and unobtrusively in the notification tray. Click the 'update' button and the .exe will be downloaded and you can install it like a normal application. Softonic doesn't support uninstalling yet (but our development team tells us that this feature is coming soon).

Softonic's new application also includes full reviews of applications to help you decide whether an app is right for you. Access user reviews, screenshots, and videos, all within Softonic. Screenshots and videos show up beautifully.

Another nice feature of the application is lists. You can browse premade lists from Softonic's editors or you can make your own app lists and share them. Drag and drop applications into a list to keep track of them. These lists are synced when you log into Softonic, making it super easy to download your favorite apps on a new machine.

There are still a few features that aren't fleshed out but the program is solid overall. It would be nice to have a setting to automatically delete the installer files after installation. There's also no way to change your avatar within Softonic (but you can still do this on the website).

Overall, this new application from Softonic is a solid product that provides some very useful features. Softonic lets you keep your apps up to date, as well as helping you discover, research, and educate yourself on the best software found on Softonic.

Full disclosure: Softonic (for Windows) is an application developed by Softonic.

Download Softonic (for Windows) 1.4.9 in Softonic

Bing Maps (previously known as Microsoft Virtual Earth) combines local search with maps and aerial photography. Microsoft have included satellite imagery with maps in its local search results for quite some time but with Bing Maps, the display is focused primarily around maps and aerial views. You can zoom in and out of maps or images, and drag the images around within the display at leisure and the basic search interface is similar to MSN's local search with "what" and "where" forms to specify what you're searching for. In addition, text results for searches are displayed in floating popup windows on the left side of the display.

Aerial photographs are overlaid with labels, showing street names, landmarks, and other features, even including directional arrows for one-way streets plus permalinks saves a screenshot of everything open in Virtual Earth, including the map view location and search results.

It may not be in the same class as Google Earth but this is one of Microsoft's better efforts it has to be said.

Download Bing Maps in Softonic

People who use DjVu files can already appreciate the convenience of super compressed files when it comes to saving space. Now they can enjoy a powerful but compact way to view their documents.

WinDjView is a document viewer that is quite fast and doesn't hog much space on your computer. It's got a nice tabbed interface that makes organizing your documents a snap. In addition, WinDjView boasts continuous scrolling and offers advanced printing options if you need a hard copy of the document you're viewing.

With support for all popular versions of Windows, such as Windows 7, Vista, 2003, XP, 2000, ME, 98 and even NT4, WinDjView is quite usable, no matter how old your operating system happens to be. Users can create bookmarks and annotations to further organize their files with WinDjView, and text or copy search, as well as make use of a comprehensive dictionary to translate words they don't understand.

WinDjView also has a handy magnifying glass and marquee zoom feature and allows users to create custom keyboard shortcuts for scrolling and navigation. There are so many features included, the only real complaint a user might have is that it's a bit difficult to figure out some of the more advanced features until they've had time to experiment with the tool a bit.

WinDjView is a fantastic document viewer for users who want to read DjVu files.

Download WinDjView 2.0.1 in Softonic

However, you'll have to make sure that your system's BIOS supports this function - most modern PC's do but there are some that will not.

It's also useful if you need to run a virus scan without starting Windows in the case of really serious problems. A simple, powerful program that's only let down by the fact that it won't work with all BIOS.

Download PeToUSB 3.0.0.7 in Softonic

For anyone who is a novice with any of the above, then this program is real breath of fresh air. The setup process literally takes less than a minute with an easy to use wizard taking you through the process. You are prompted exactly which databases you need Appserv to support i.e. Apache HTTP Server, MySQL Database, PHP Hypertext Preprocessor and phpMyAdmin. After this, you are prompted to provide the username and details of each database so that Appserv can access them and you're ready to go.

If you need to install any program that demands use of PHP SQL or Apache and you're unfamiliar with how to use them, AppServ can save you a lot of hassle and time.

Download AppServ 2.6.0 in Softonic

Product Key Finder is very easy to use, and provides you with instant results. One click is enough to find product keys and serial keys. It works great with Microsoft Office 2000, XP, 2003, 2007, and also with Windows 2000, Me, 2003, XP, Vista (32-bit and 64-bit supported).

With Product Key Finder you’ll be able to decode your Windows or Office product key, even if you can't boot your computer into Windows, and also find your product key for Microsoft Exchange Server 2000/2003/2007 in case you can’t look it up anywhere else.

Product Key Finder is a simple, effective serial and product key retrieving tool.

Download Product Key Finder 1.3 in Softonic

However, the program will not close everything - it will stop short of closing anything essential anyway so it's really idiot proof. The interface is really simple and it certainly looks a lot better than Windows own Process Manager. If you need to suddenly free up some RAM, it's a much better option and vastly more powerful.

A much more effective solution to killing Windows processes although it doesn't kill everything which is a good or bad thing depending on weather you know what you are doing.

Download EndItAll 2.0 in Softonic

I've got a pretty dodgy sense of direction and my map-reading skills are about as useful as a bat without sonar. Now, I just tap in a postcode and house number and the TomTom does the rest. The one annoying thing with TomToms is that you have to keep up with the latest changes to speed cameras and routes. To do this, you'll need a subscription to TomTom.com but TomTom Home can make things a bit smoother.

TomTom Home is the official update tool for TomTom.com, featuring many useful things such as the ability to easily install new maps and services, restore and backup your TomTom, receive free traffic alerts, and even use services that normally require a wireless data connection. Everything is easy to follow courtesy of the program's helpful setup wizards. Of course, to update the speed cameras, you'll need a subscription but there are plenty of other services that don't such as Points of Interest and Installation of Voices.

TomTom Home is an essential tool for any TomTom.com subscriber who needs to manage their device or make sure that their speed camera map is updated.

Download TomTom Home 2.9.4.0 in Softonic

Smart Installer Pack contains 24 popular software utilities, among which you can probably find the first five or ten you download on your computer after reinstalling your operating system. This is precisely the aim behind Smart Installer Pack: saving you the pain of having to search, download and install all those programs.

Smart Installer Pack includes Yahoo! Messenger, Yahoo Widgets, Skype, Google Earth, Winamp, Firefox, BitTorrent, Gmail Notifier, Rocket Dock, a pack of codecs, Adobe Flash Player, Apple Quicktime, the Java Runtime, Adobe Reader, WinRAR, Open Office, Daemon Tools, Thunderbird, Gimp, Picasa, Avira Antivirus, Google Chrome, CCleaner and KMPlayer.

Of course, you don't have to install them all. Simply browse through the program's tabs and click on the icon of the program you're interested in. Installation will start right away.

Smart Installer Pack is certainly a handy tool that can save you lots of time. On the downside, you're obliged to download a huge file – no matter how many of those tools you'll use – and the programs included in the pack may not be updated to the latest version.

With Smart Installer Pack you can save a lot of time when downloading and installing your favorite software after an OS re-installation.

Download Smart Installer Pack 1.5 in Softonic

While the Windows Store has its own application recommendations and top lists, it doesn't really offer rich content to help you make your decision on which app to download. Softonic (for Windows 8) helps in this regard by providing full access to Softonic's written and photo content so you can make better choices about what to download.

Softonic (for Windows 8)'s interface is simple. On the home page, you'll find the top programs featured on Softonic. Swipe to the left and you'll reveal software categories, as well as top lists for you to explore. Top Software titles are presented as tiles with visible star ratings. Tap on one to read and view all the content available.

The strength of Softonic (for Windows 8) comes from the content generated by our editors. Read our full reviews and view screenshots with ease. Unfortunately, Softonic (for Windows 8) doesn't have the ability to show video in this early version.

There are also some interface inconsistencies in Softonic for Windows 8. While comments can be viewed, they can't be created and are often cut off. While it's nice that Softonic (for Windows 8) includes top lists, it would be even better to include software lists created by editors like in the Softonic for Windows application. Due to Microsoft's policies, apps cannot offer direct downloads. Instead, you have to click through to access the Softonic website in a browser and download apps from there.

Overall, Softonic (for Windows 8) is a app to explore software but its feature set needs work.

Download Softonic (for Windows 8) 1.3.0.9 in Softonic

The developers of VueScan claim that it's the world's most widely-used scanning software among photographers, home users and corporations. Although this would seem far fetched, it's certainly true that it must be popular simply by virtue of it's simplicity and ease of use for anyone not familiar with scanning software.

VueScan is highly flexible which is another great aspect of it - it doesn't matter if you change scanner as it still continues to support it whatever model it is. According to the developers, VueScan supports more than 400 scanners and 185 digital camera raw files so you won't find any incompatibility issues. Installation is lightning quick as it's such a light package and there's little waiting around - just open VueScan and you're ready to scan.

There's not much to it but in a way, that's the great thing about Vuescan - it doesn't bloat your system with unnecessary features or scanning options.

Download VueScan 9.2.04 64 Bit in Softonic