Quite often, many users are perplexed that at one “fine” moment in computer systems running Windows, an unknown application called Software Update or Software Updater appears . Not everyone knows what kind of program this is. Some consider it a virus. This is not true. In order to understand the essence of using this utility, you first need to at least know the translation. Software Update is a software update client . But what kind of software does this program update? Next, we will consider several varieties of this application, as well as some methods for its removal.
Software Updater: what is this program?
Initially, this client was developed by Apple specialists and usually refers exclusively to the software products of this particular corporation.
However, if we talk about a broader understanding of such clients, this also includes some utilities designed for mobile devices, clients for updating user programs or system components, update search clients for anti-virus programs (for example, Kaspersky), as well as disguised as official software providing viruses. But first things first.
Why does the program appear on Windows systems?
So, let's start with Windows systems in which users notice the appearance of the Software Updater applet. What kind of program is this? As already mentioned, usually she is responsible for the automatic search and installation of updates (updates) for the "apple" software products.
However, the legitimate question immediately arises: "Where did the application come from in the system if there is nothing in common between Windows and Mac OS?" Actually, everything is simple. As soon as the user installs, for example, iTunes, the Safari browser or the Quick Time platform (Apple software development), this program is installed automatically. Sometimes Quick Time Player is necessary for some programs designed for Mac OS, but adapted for Windows (for example, the music studio Avid Pro Tools 10).
It goes without saying that if you use a computer to control your iPhone, iPad or iPod, such a component in the system obviously will not hurt, because the updater will constantly monitor updates to computer and mobile components, which will make it work with a mobile device connected to PC or laptop, more comfortable.
How to uninstall the application?
If the user really does not need this software, it can be easily uninstalled. Windows Software Update is removed through the standard section of programs and components in the Control Panel.
However, not all so simple. The fact is that usually a few more software products are installed in the system, such as Apple Support, as well as the unobtrusive Bonjour utility. Thus, to make a complete removal, you must first sort the list alphabetically, by developer, or by installation date, find all Apple applications, including the Bonjour program, and only then delete them all.
But you can also do manual removal. It is enough to install the iObit Uninstaller application, which can not only uninstall the main components of all applications, but also perform a complete cleaning of the system from residual files and entries in the system registry.
Note: if the system has programs that use Quick Time, the updater should not be deleted, because someday the version of the platform and player will be irrelevant and will have to be updated manually. In principle, the client itself does not take up much space, although it can work independently, since it starts with the system. If you want to get rid of it without removing this component, it is easiest to disable it at startup (the same name tab in the system configuration, which is accessed by the msconfig command in the Run menu, and in Windows 10 it is located directly in the Task Manager).
Nokia Software Updater
Here is another kind of update client, but already intended for Nokia smartphones (we consider it solely as an example of working with mobile equipment).
What kind of software update is it for applying to such devices? The main purpose of the application is updating the firmware of smartphones, which allows you to eliminate bugs (errors) in previous versions of software, supplement smartphones with new applets and features, and even restore their original state after critical failures.
Viruses disguised as official software
Finally, the most unpleasant. If, instead of a regular applet, the software Version Software Updater is detected on the system, you can be sure that it is a virus belonging to the class of browser hijackers that redirect to questionable sites with offers to sell something or install unnecessary software, add ads to browsers and banners. It is possible that in the end the program will begin to steal confidential information from the user terminal.
Removing such a threat manually through the programs and components section is quite problematic, because it adds many additional elements like Babylon Toolbar, WebCake, Search Protect by conduit, etc. In this case, it is best to use specialized utilities like Reimage, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and etc.
Finally
This is a general outline of the Software Updater utility. What kind of program is it, if you do not take viruses into account, I think it’s already clear, as well as how it appears in Windows-systems or how to remove it. As a small result, it remains to add that, provided the system uses the Quick Time platform, it is not recommended to uninstall the application (although there is nothing particularly terrible about this).
As for the analogue for mobile devices, they can also be left, but you need to proceed solely from what kind of device the owner has. Just in case, you need to keep such applications at home, since no one is safe from the fact that the smartphone does not fail. And it is not always possible to restore factory firmware using the device itself.