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Best Free Software Cataloging Utility
This software category is in need of an editor. If you would like to give something back to the freeware community by taking it over, check out this page for more details. You can then contact us from that page or by clicking here.
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 Go straight to the Quick Selection Guide |
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Introduction
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| If you like testing out different programs on your PC, you'll probably find a software cataloging program useful. These products not only inventory what you currently have installed but also document the different programs you've tried in the past or have moved to CD storage. |
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Discussion
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| There aren't very many programs specific to cataloging software. The best known is SoftCAT Free from FNPRG.com. They once again have a freeware version, which is available from the download link below. This version doesn't have as many features as the commercial version, but it will still meet the needs of most users. |
SoftCAT Free
Gizmo's Freeware award as the best product in its class!
Runs as a stand-alone program on a user's computer
Organize software inventory easily, keep track of serial number, registration name and other info, more than 30 data fields, password protected database.
Advanced features such as auto catalog, form designer, report designer and export are not available in the free version.
5.23
12.3 MB
Feature limited freeware
There is no portable version of this product available.
Windows 7/Vista/ XP
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| This software category is in need of an editor. If you are interested in taking it over then check out this page for more details. You can then contact us from that page or by clicking here. |
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Comments
Update 10-9-12 - In my last scan, Malwarebytes identified "All My Software" as containing ROGUE.FAKEMSE; I have reported this to Softpedia and the developer; not sure if this is a false positive but would strongly advise against downloading or installing "All My Software". If you have already done so, Malwarebytes does seem able to remove the infection. I apologize if this caused anyone grief; I am usually very careful(as I install and test a lot of software), but this one slipped by me.
Original Post: "All my Software" will scan your pc automatically, but hasn't been developed since 2006 - plus you have to register at the developers' website to get a code to unlock all the features of the program (although it is free once unlocked). It is a bit glitchy on my Win 7 64 bit system, but runs ok in Win XP compatability mode - not too shabby for a 6 year old program - YMMV of course. It is the only free software I've found so far that actually scans for installed software and is fairly easy and intuitive to use right out of the box. It is fairly limited as it works by scanning the Windows registry for installed programs - you cannot ask it to scan a specific location (sigh), which means you have to manually enter your portable programs (and I have a LOT of portable programs), but you can add, edit and delete records with ease and enter a master password to protect the program (not sure how "uncrackable" the security on it is though - again 6 years old - so I would advise NOT storing passwords for individual software in this program). You can export your software list to Excel, which is a nice feature. Currently, "All My Software" is the best option I know of if you need something free. To be honest, I don't think this program or SoftCat (free or paid) are that great, but "All My Software" is adequate for now. By the by, most good uninstaller programs will generate a list of all your installed software in one format or another (again minus the portable programs) - I highly recommend both Advanced Uninstaller Pro and Revo Uninstaller, not just for software tracking, but for great uninstall clean up and a host of other features - I have both and find them indispensable.
Bottom line, I am still looking for a good all-in-one cataloging program for my music, movies, software, games, etc. I had really hoped to use Data Crow, but although I've read some nice reviews about it, each time I try it (latest attempt this past week), I find most of the features simply don't work out of the box and it is extremely time and labor intensive to get anything to function - too much effort for too little return for me - again YMMV. I also tried GCStar, probably the best-reviewed contender in this category, and also found it disappointing (although significantly better than Data Crow). However both GCStar and Data Crow are being actively developed and the versions of both available now are light years better than the versions available 2 years ago (1-1/2 years? last time I looked at them anyway), so both are worth keeping an eye on - if you have some programming skills, you might consider volunteering to help out on GCStar, which does look like a worthwhile project (not sure if that is an option with Data Crow, but if so then ditto).
Interestingly enough, the setup file ams_setup seems to be absolutely clean: VirusTotal shows 0/43, and MalwareBytes detects nothing as well. Yet, after installation MB (only!) detects and then removes ROGUE.FAKEMSE.
Could it possibly be a false positive?
I've used Visual CD (http://www.boozet.org/visualcd.htm) for years. It does not inventory installed software or keep a record of software you've tried. But it does a great job of cataloging files on a CD or DVD -- software, pictures, music, whatever.
Regards.
In its new version, 3.9, DataCrow became too slow. I couldn't even import my books data without crashing. Somebody can tell me about other freeware book catalog software? Thanks!
calibre my choice
I can only highly recommend "Datacrow" (http://datacrow.net), it is even better than commercial software like "Mediaman".
Now that I'm registered a few more comments:
- Very versatile application (books, cds, recipes, dvds...)
- possibility of parsing (importing) specific locations/folders for import
- Highly customizable
- ...
Here their own description (as found on their site mentioned in previous comment):
"Data Crow is the ultimate media cataloger and media organiser. Always wanted to manage all your collections in one product? You want a product you can customize to your needs? Your search ends here! Using Data Crow allows you to create a huge database containing all your collected items. You can use the excellent online services to retrieve the information instead of typing all the information yourself.
...
- Platform independent and completely portable
- Highly customizable and feature rich.
- Audio, software, book, movie and photo collection cataloger
- Retrieve information from services like Amazon.com, Imdb.com, Softpedia and MusicBrainz.
- Optional internal web server and web GUI.
- Import file information (mp3, divx, xvid, ..)
- Loan registration.
- PDF and HTML reporting.
- Create new modules to, for example, maintain your stamp collection.
- Available translations: Italian, German, Dutch, English, Spanish and French.
Data Crow is 100% free and 100% free of ads, viruses and spyware.
Data Crow runs on any system where Java 1.6 (or higher) from Sun is installed."
Rather than a few more user comments, this post looks like a word for word promotional copy of their web site!
Yeah, possibly the dev or someone connected but it's feeware so this is fine.
Even so, if these things start getting duplicated in multiple locations then they are still regarded as spam and dealt with accordingly.
Suggestions needed for other programs to evaluate for this category. If you have any, please post.
Thanks,
meatlump
There are three kinds of people in this world. Those who can count and those who can't.
SoftCat free version does not allow one to automatically catalog one's software; one must add one's programs to the database by hand.
For software cataloging I use Datacrow.
[http://datacrow.net]
I've been using this software for years. Not only do I track software installed on my computer, I also enter data about other programs that have caught my eye. Over the years it has become a very useful resource for me.
One of the features I most like is the ease with which I can click and paste product evaluations and user comments into a Notes Tab, as well as product homepage.
A few months back, I upgraded to the Pro version. The main feature there that I like is the ability to copy up to 7 screenshots. I really like this feature.
Hi - yeah - thanks - what product are you referring to?
- Deck
As the comment above is over two years old it's unlikely you will get a reply. From it's nature though, if something does arrive here which reads like a promotion for a commercial product then it will be deleted anyway :)
I downloaded and tried this one. An essential feature was disabled in the free version, the ability to automatically catalogue your software. If that's not present I can build (and have) a database to manually enter all my software info, with fields much more customized to my tastes. Too bad.