Automatic Download / Version Check Tool [Windows]

[Invindicator]

Hi all,

Not sure if a tool like this is floating around on the internet or on these forums anywhere but I've had the idea for a while now and finally found some time to write it up as a way to dip my toes into the world of PowerShell.

While it is possible to head to the ExifTool homepage and download the Windows executable file manually, it can be difficult to know when a new release is available unless you are subscribed to the RSS feed which Phil provides.

I have hence created a PowerShell script which can be added to Task Scheduler or run manually on Windows in order to perform a few nifty tasks:

• Primarily: Compare the local version with the latest version on the website and offer to download it for you. This is the end goal when working with the Task Scheduler application to, for example, check for a new version every 7 days / on user login / etc.
• Perform a standalone download of the latest version
• Perform a standalone download of a specified older version

For now v1.0 focuses solely on command line interaction either by right clicking the script and selecting "Run with PowerShell", or by opening a PowerShell window, navigating to the directory containing the script and running the following
& '.\Download ExifTool.ps1'

This is the first version and my first real attempt at a proper PowerShell script so I look forward to your feedback and hope you can get something out of it by automating the update / download process. I also hope to provide future versions based on any feedback received for bugs / improvements / suggestions / etc.

Thanks all, hope you get a kick out of using it!

Nick 

P.s When specifying an old ExifTool version, as far as I can tell the oldest available version is v6.57, but why you would want to go that far back is beyond me 

[Phil Harvey]

Just a few notes:

1. ExifTool is now at https://exiftool.org/.  The owl/sno server now just redirects to exiftool.org.

2. To get the latest ExifTool version number, download https://exiftool.org/ver.txt

3. All old versions are now available on the new server.

- Phil

[StarGeek]

Here's a previous thread on a exiftool download script.  I'm eager to test yours out.  I never went very far with my version because I found I really don't like dealing with PS.

[Invindicator]

Hi guys,

@Phil
I have updated both of the links you have mentioned
I also tried to download older versions than 6.57 again from the new url however I still receive a 404 error
e.g. https://exiftool.org/exiftool-6.52.zip returns a 404

@StarGeek
I had a look at the thread you linked to and I am working on putting the unzip function in as well as a couple of other small additions

Thank you both for the feedback. I'm hoping to upload v1.1 soon when I get a chance 

Nick

[Phil Harvey]

I checked the version history, and 6.57 was the first Windows version:

Nov. 19, 2006 - Version 6.57 (production release)
[...]
  - First release of stand-alone Windows executable

- Phil