4k Video Downloader+: Difference between revisions

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==Code review and versioning==

A cursory review of the libraries and files<ref name="4KDL">[[:File:4K DL vs 4K DL Plus Ophaned (New) Files.png|4K DL Update Comparison]]</ref> from both applications shows that "4K Video Downloader+" has only six new files not existing in the prior version. See screenshot. Also,about 27 files were eliminated/not included in the new version.

A cursory review of the libraries and files<ref name="4KDL">[[:File:4K DL vs 4K DL Plus Ophaned (New) Files.png|4K DL Update Comparison]]</ref> from both applications shows that "4K Video Downloader+" has only six new files not existing in the prior version. See screenshot. Also, about 27 files were eliminated/not included in the new version.

Despite having been released relatively recently, the "4K Video Downloader+" .exe file shows it is version "25.0.0.182", which may suggest it is a continuation of the prior version.

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===Discontinuation of lifetime license (''2023'')===

The developer has sold Lifetime Licenses for 4k Video Downloader since 2012<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.4kdownload.com/products/product-videodownloader|title=4k Video Downloader|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723220906/http://www.4kdownload.com/products/product-videodownloader|archive-date=2012-07-23|url-status=dead}}</ref>, but has discontinued it to sell 4k Video Downloader+, starting July 26, 2023. The old license key is not valid for 4k Video Downloader+ because they are "two different programs".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.4kdownload.com/blog/2023/07/26/4k-video-downloader-faq/|title=4K Video Downloader Plus FAQ: Your Questions, Our Answers|date=2023-07-26|author=Klara|access-date=2025-04-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124025437/https://www.4kdownload.com/blog/2023/07/26/4k-video-downloader-faq/|archive-date=2025-01-24|url-status=live}}</ref>

The developer has sold Lifetime Licenses for 4k Video Downloader since 2012,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.4kdownload.com/products/product-videodownloader|title=4k Video Downloader|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723220906/http://www.4kdownload.com/products/product-videodownloader|archive-date=2012-07-23|url-status=dead}}</ref> but has discontinued it to sell 4k Video Downloader+, starting July 26, 2023. The old license key is not valid for 4k Video Downloader+ because they are "two different programs".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.4kdownload.com/blog/2023/07/26/4k-video-downloader-faq/|title=4K Video Downloader Plus FAQ: Your Questions, Our Answers|date=2023-07-26|author=Klara|access-date=2025-04-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124025437/https://www.4kdownload.com/blog/2023/07/26/4k-video-downloader-faq/|archive-date=2025-01-24|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Questions regarding the company's explanation for a new version==

According to the company's FAQ<ref name=":0" />, the reason for the new version is "the outdated technology stack" is impossible to fix.

According to the company's FAQ,<ref name=":0" /> the reason for the new version is "the outdated technology stack" is impossible to fix.

While the company (InterPromo GMBH, the current company name used on the footer of the website) claims that updating the original 4K Video Downloader was "impossible" due to an outdated technology stack, this explanation lacks technical detail and may oversimplify the issue. In software development, very few features are truly impossible to implement—more often, they are deprioritized due to cost, complexity, or strategic business decisions. Without transparency about the specific limitations, it's reasonable to question whether the shift to a new app was driven more by monetization goals than technical necessity.

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 ==Code review and versioning==
-A cursory review of the libraries and files<ref name="4KDL">[[:File:4K DL vs 4K DL Plus Ophaned (New) Files.png|4K DL Update Comparison]]</ref> from both applications shows that "4K Video Downloader+" has only six new files not existing in the prior version.  See screenshot. Also,about 27 files were eliminated/not included in the new version.
+A cursory review of the libraries and files<ref name="4KDL">[[:File:4K DL vs 4K DL Plus Ophaned (New) Files.png|4K DL Update Comparison]]</ref> from both applications shows that "4K Video Downloader+" has only six new files not existing in the prior version.  See screenshot. Also, about 27 files were eliminated/not included in the new version.
 Despite having been released relatively recently, the "4K Video Downloader+" .exe file shows it is version "25.0.0.182", which may suggest it is a continuation of the prior version.
@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 ===Discontinuation of lifetime license (''2023'')===
-The developer has sold Lifetime Licenses for 4k Video Downloader since 2012<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.4kdownload.com/products/product-videodownloader|title=4k Video Downloader|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723220906/http://www.4kdownload.com/products/product-videodownloader|archive-date=2012-07-23|url-status=dead}}</ref>, but has discontinued it to sell 4k Video Downloader+, starting July 26, 2023. The old license key is not valid for 4k Video Downloader+ because they are "two different programs".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.4kdownload.com/blog/2023/07/26/4k-video-downloader-faq/|title=4K Video Downloader Plus FAQ: Your Questions, Our Answers|date=2023-07-26|author=Klara|access-date=2025-04-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124025437/https://www.4kdownload.com/blog/2023/07/26/4k-video-downloader-faq/|archive-date=2025-01-24|url-status=live}}</ref>
+The developer has sold Lifetime Licenses for 4k Video Downloader since 2012,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.4kdownload.com/products/product-videodownloader|title=4k Video Downloader|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723220906/http://www.4kdownload.com/products/product-videodownloader|archive-date=2012-07-23|url-status=dead}}</ref> but has discontinued it to sell 4k Video Downloader+, starting July 26, 2023. The old license key is not valid for 4k Video Downloader+ because they are "two different programs".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.4kdownload.com/blog/2023/07/26/4k-video-downloader-faq/|title=4K Video Downloader Plus FAQ: Your Questions, Our Answers|date=2023-07-26|author=Klara|access-date=2025-04-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124025437/https://www.4kdownload.com/blog/2023/07/26/4k-video-downloader-faq/|archive-date=2025-01-24|url-status=live}}</ref>
 ==Questions regarding the company's explanation for a new version==
-According to the company's FAQ<ref name=":0" />, the reason for the new version is "the outdated technology stack" is impossible to fix.
+According to the company's FAQ,<ref name=":0" /> the reason for the new version is "the outdated technology stack" is impossible to fix.
 While the company (InterPromo GMBH, the current company name used on the footer of the website) claims that updating the original 4K Video Downloader was "impossible" due to an outdated technology stack, this explanation lacks technical detail and may oversimplify the issue. In software development, very few features are truly impossible to implement—more often, they are deprioritized due to cost, complexity, or strategic business decisions. Without transparency about the specific limitations, it's reasonable to question whether the shift to a new app was driven more by monetization goals than technical necessity.