Years ago I used and loved Cnet's catchup utility which checked your apps and provided lists of updates automatically. They killed the product and while I tried VersionTracker for a while, I have been patiently waiting nearly five years for its eventual return. Someone else built it and did a great job.
Windows only: Software download web site File Hippo has released a handy piece of software called Update Checker, which scans your computer's installed apps and then reports which ones could use an update.
filehippo.com Update Checker Beta
Source: LifeHacker Download of the Day: File Hippo Update Checker (Windows)
Originally published on Tue, 03 Apr 2007 18:30:00 GMT
Works great in Vista too.