How Many Apps Do You Think You Have?

Every week we are told to install updates and security patches for software on our computers, but many programs don’t check for updates until you run them, leaving you open to potential vulnerabilities over time. So, with this in mind, have you ever stopped to list and count how many programs you actually have and how to update them? The answer might surprise you.

Let’s start with the operating system or OS. If you have a laptop or desktop computer, chances are it is running Windows, macOS, ChromeOS or a version of Linux. Each OS only has a limited operational life where the vendor or developer will deploy software patches to fix known issues. After this time period the OS is at its end-of-life (EOL) stage and longer supported with updates. Sometimes though, you may have the option to pay for continued support. Also, emergency updates have been known to be released for an unsupported OS due to the sheer number of people still actively using it and probably a few other reasons contributing to the developer’s decision to do so.

A useful end-of-life (EOL) resource is the website https://endoflife.date/ which currently tracks the status of 348 software products, I highly recommend checking the status of any operating systems you use as time has a habit of flying, and those end dates come up quickly. If your OS is approaching it’s last update, don’t panic and rush into upgrading. First check if your computer is fast enough to be upgraded, as the minimum specifications are often barely usable. Laptops age faster than desktops, but all computers are made of components that can fail due to age. Expecting a computer to be able to have the OS upgraded more than twice is often unrealistic unless you started with a very high spec machine.

If you are still running Windows 10, your OS goes end-of-life in October 2025. Unfortunately Windows 11 may not be an upgrade option due to particular security hardware requirements. Whether Microsoft loosens the requirements as we get closer is up for debate. In the meantime, carry out all routine security checks and updates regardless.

After your OS, I recommend checking that your firmware or BIOS is up to date. You could think of it as simply the initial OS of the various components of your computer that tell the main OS what’s what and where. Many manufacturers include their own update tools to update up your computer’s BIOS and these need to be the first choice, as choosing an incorrect BIOS update can render your computer into a very large paperweight. If you are not sure, then skip this step, rather than go searching the internet for an update. If there is a manufacturer's BIOS update available, installing it will mean your computer is unusable typically for around 5-15 minutes as the changes happen after a restart.

Okay, so let’s look at the actual programs that you use starting with web browsers. If you have never installed an alternative browser then your default OS web browser (Edge on Windows, Safari on macOS) is all you have to worry about. If you have installed Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Brave or any others, these need to be checked for updates, regardless if you use them or not. If you have installed additional web browsers but don’t use them, consider uninstalling them, unless you share your computer and others may also use them.

Next, if you have Microsoft Office installed and it is part of an Office 365 subscription, then both features and security updates are available indefinitely while you are subscribed. To check for updates, open any of the Office apps, Word, etc. and select  File, Account, Update Options, Update Now. If you have Office 2016 or 2019 it is important to know that the security updates end in October 2025, and Office 2021 ends a year later in October 2026. If you are using a version older than 2016, please consider replacing it with either a free open source office suite or a subscription to Microsoft Office. If you have any other Microsoft products like Project or Visio, be warned that there may be compatibility issues due to how they were installed, especially via CD iso files.

If you have installed any free office suites like OpenOffice or LibreOffice, make sure they are up to date. The same goes for any other freeware and open source software, such as Inkspace, DaVinci Resolve or Audacity and any utilities like CCleaner. If you are not sure if you have the latest version available, Ninite.com offers a free download for a wide variety of free software which can be grouped together into one installer.

Any old and out-dated software ideally needs to be removed, though only do this if you are confident that it is no longer required, or that you have an alternative or a newer version. The rule of thumb I apply is, if you haven’t used a piece of software in years and it’s sponsored by adverts or tries to sell you an upgrade, but you’ve never bought the software previously, there’s a good chance you could uninstall it and just download it again if required. Also, old utility programs designed to speed up your computer can cause more damage than they fix, as improvements in the operating system over time often reduces their effectiveness.

One important area to focus on is any remote access software like TeamViewer or VNC type tools which may have been set up by well meaning family members or colleagues. If the access credentials fall into the wrong hands, then they potentially could have unrestricted access to your computer. If you have never used them for remote support, please uninstall them. If you do use them (even rarely) for remote access, please update them to the latest version.

Old software development applications are also a concern, as well as their resource libraries which also need to be updated. Once again, if you don't use the software, consider removing it. For Microsoft Windows, I recommend going through your installed Apps list in Settings to remove anything that is no longer required that you know you added.

Expired antivirus software also needs to be removed or updated and renewed. It is nearly always cheaper to buy multi-device antivirus software from an online retailer than from within the program itself, I list a variety of free and paid antivirus solutions at www.booleanlogical.com so there is no reason to stay unprotected. Lastly, some operating systems like Microsoft Windows come with pre-installed games, even on the Pro version. If you have never played them, free up some disk space and uninstall them. The same goes for apps like Spotify, TikTok, Disney+ and anything else pre-installed due to a marketing contract with Microsoft that you have no intention of using.

So, how many programs did you count in the end? Do you have more than 30 or less than 10? Either way make a list and at least once a month, check for updates. New features may have been added, but more importantly security vulnerabilities may have been fixed. Remember the rule of thumb, if you haven’t used an unpaid for piece of software in years and it’s sponsored by adverts or tries to sell you an upgrade, probably good to uninstall.

For more security resources and advice, see: www.booleanlogical.com