Ninite: A faster way to install apps after reinstalling the OS

After reinstalling Windows, I usually download and install the latest versions of the software that I usually install. I only keep the installation files of the large software, such as Microsoft Office and Visual Studio in the hard drive. Everything else I download from the internet. This is one of the perks of having a darn good internet connection.

 

Up until now, I manually searched and downloaded the latest versions of the software, either from the official website or filehippo. But it takes time, not only to search and download the installation files, but also to install them one by one.

 

But you don’t have to worry about this any longer. There is a website called ninite.com where they let you download a setup file which automatically download and install the latest versions of the apps that you select.

 

Symbolic Link Maker v0.1.0.0

Why I felt I needed this tool was mainly because I do not use the system drive for data. I always redirect stuff to other drives so that I can use my system drive (i.e. the SSD) for better things. I use Symbolic Links to do the redirection.

Currently I am redirecting the following folders.

• Windows Update download folder (C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download)
• Windows Installer folder (C:\Windows\Installer)
• Microsoft Office setup cache folder (C:\MSOCache)
• iTunes Backup, Apps, Firmware download folders
• Gaming profiles in user Documents
  and you will find many more.

But using the command prompt is not always convenient. Especially, if there exists a folder with the same name, you have to first copy the contents of the folder to the target folder, delete the folder and them make the symbolic link.

So I wrote a tool to automate those things. It is called Symbolic Link Maker. It has many issues, which are written in the user manual, so read it before using the application. Give it a go, and let me know about the areas to improve on.

Symbolic Link Maker v0.1.0.0 downloads

• Application
• User Manual