diff --git a/ytsage_utils.py b/ytsage_utils.py
index 0ec23fe..dacda48 100644
--- a/ytsage_utils.py
+++ b/ytsage_utils.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import sys
 import os
 import json
+import time
 from pathlib import Path
 import subprocess
 import tempfile
@@ -9,6 +10,328 @@ import pkg_resources
 from packaging import version
 import requests
 from ytsage_ffmpeg import check_ffmpeg_installed, get_ffmpeg_install_path
+from ytsage_yt_dlp import get_yt_dlp_path  # Import the new function to avoid import errors
+
+# Cache for version information to avoid delays
+_version_cache = {
+    'ytdlp': {'version': None, 'path': None, 'last_check': 0, 'path_mtime': 0},
+    'ffmpeg': {'version': None, 'path': None, 'last_check': 0, 'path_mtime': 0}
+}
+
+# Cache expiry time in seconds (5 minutes)
+CACHE_EXPIRY = 300
+
+def get_file_mtime(filepath):
+    """Get file modification time safely."""
+    try:
+        if filepath and os.path.exists(filepath):
+            return os.path.getmtime(filepath)
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+    return 0
+
+def should_refresh_cache(tool_name, current_path):
+    """Determine if cache should be refreshed for a tool."""
+    cache = _version_cache.get(tool_name, {})
+    current_time = time.time()
+    
+    # Always refresh if no cached data
+    if not cache.get('version'):
+        return True
+    
+    # Refresh if path changed
+    if cache.get('path') != current_path:
+        return True
+    
+    # Refresh if file was modified
+    current_mtime = get_file_mtime(current_path)
+    if current_mtime > cache.get('path_mtime', 0):
+        return True
+    
+    # Refresh if cache expired
+    if current_time - cache.get('last_check', 0) > CACHE_EXPIRY:
+        return True
+    
+    return False
+
+def update_version_cache(tool_name, version_info, path, force_save=False):
+    """Update the version cache and optionally save to config."""
+    current_time = time.time()
+    current_mtime = get_file_mtime(path)
+    
+    _version_cache[tool_name] = {
+        'version': version_info,
+        'path': path,
+        'last_check': current_time,
+        'path_mtime': current_mtime
+    }
+    
+    # Save to persistent config
+    if force_save:
+        save_version_cache_to_config()
+
+def load_version_cache_from_config():
+    """Load cached version info from config file."""
+    try:
+        config = load_config()
+        cached_versions = config.get('cached_versions', {})
+        
+        for tool_name, cache_data in cached_versions.items():
+            if tool_name in _version_cache:
+                _version_cache[tool_name].update(cache_data)
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"Error loading version cache: {e}")
+
+def save_version_cache_to_config():
+    """Save version cache to config file."""
+    try:
+        config = load_config()
+        config['cached_versions'] = _version_cache.copy()
+        save_config(config)
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"Error saving version cache: {e}")
+
+def get_ytdlp_version_cached():
+    """Get yt-dlp version with caching support."""
+    try:
+        current_path = get_yt_dlp_path()
+        
+        # Check if we need to refresh cache
+        if not should_refresh_cache('ytdlp', current_path):
+            cached_version = _version_cache['ytdlp'].get('version')
+            if cached_version:
+                return cached_version
+        
+        # Get fresh version info
+        version_info = get_ytdlp_version_direct(current_path)
+        
+        # Update cache
+        update_version_cache('ytdlp', version_info, current_path)
+        
+        return version_info
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"Error getting cached yt-dlp version: {e}")
+        return "Error getting version"
+
+def get_ffmpeg_version_cached():
+    """Get FFmpeg version with caching support."""
+    try:
+        # Try to find ffmpeg path
+        current_path = "ffmpeg"  # Default to system PATH
+        
+        # Check if we need to refresh cache
+        if not should_refresh_cache('ffmpeg', current_path):
+            cached_version = _version_cache['ffmpeg'].get('version')
+            if cached_version:
+                return cached_version
+        
+        # Get fresh version info
+        version_info = get_ffmpeg_version_direct()
+        
+        # Update cache
+        update_version_cache('ffmpeg', version_info, current_path)
+        
+        return version_info
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"Error getting cached FFmpeg version: {e}")
+        return "Error getting version"
+
+def refresh_version_cache(force=False):
+    """Manually refresh version cache for both tools."""
+    try:
+        # Refresh yt-dlp
+        current_path = get_yt_dlp_path()
+        version_info = get_ytdlp_version_direct(current_path)
+        update_version_cache('ytdlp', version_info, current_path, force_save=True)
+        
+        # Refresh FFmpeg
+        version_info = get_ffmpeg_version_direct()
+        update_version_cache('ffmpeg', version_info, "ffmpeg", force_save=True)
+        
+        return True
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"Error refreshing version cache: {e}")
+        return False
+
+def get_ytdlp_version():
+    """Get the version of yt-dlp (uses cached version for performance)."""
+    return get_ytdlp_version_cached()
+
+def get_ffmpeg_version():
+    """Get the version of FFmpeg (uses cached version for performance)."""
+    return get_ffmpeg_version_cached()
+
+def get_ytdlp_version_direct(yt_dlp_path=None):
+    """Get yt-dlp version directly without caching."""
+    try:
+        if yt_dlp_path is None:
+            yt_dlp_path = get_yt_dlp_path()
+        
+        if not yt_dlp_path or yt_dlp_path == "yt-dlp":
+            return "Not found"
+        
+        # Create startupinfo to hide console on Windows
+        startupinfo = None
+        if sys.platform == 'win32' and hasattr(subprocess, 'STARTUPINFO'):
+            startupinfo = subprocess.STARTUPINFO()
+            startupinfo.dwFlags |= subprocess.STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW
+            startupinfo.wShowWindow = 0  # SW_HIDE
+        
+        result = subprocess.run(
+            [yt_dlp_path, '--version'],
+            capture_output=True,
+            text=True,
+            timeout=10,
+            startupinfo=startupinfo
+        )
+        
+        if result.returncode == 0:
+            return result.stdout.strip()
+        else:
+            return "Error getting version"
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"Error getting yt-dlp version: {e}")
+        return "Error getting version"
+
+def get_ffmpeg_version_direct():
+    """Get FFmpeg version directly without caching."""
+    try:
+        # Create startupinfo to hide console on Windows
+        startupinfo = None
+        if sys.platform == 'win32' and hasattr(subprocess, 'STARTUPINFO'):
+            startupinfo = subprocess.STARTUPINFO()
+            startupinfo.dwFlags |= subprocess.STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW
+            startupinfo.wShowWindow = 0  # SW_HIDE
+        
+        result = subprocess.run(
+            ['ffmpeg', '-version'],
+            capture_output=True,
+            text=True,
+            timeout=10,
+            startupinfo=startupinfo
+        )
+        
+        if result.returncode == 0:
+            # Parse the first line to get version info
+            lines = result.stdout.split('\n')
+            if lines:
+                first_line = lines[0]
+                # Extract version from something like "ffmpeg version 4.4.2 Copyright..."
+                if 'version' in first_line:
+                    parts = first_line.split()
+                    for i, part in enumerate(parts):
+                        if part == 'version' and i + 1 < len(parts):
+                            return parts[i + 1]
+                return first_line.strip()
+            return "Unknown version"
+        else:
+            return "Not found"
+    except FileNotFoundError:
+        # If ffmpeg is not in PATH, try the installation directory
+        try:
+            ffmpeg_path = get_ffmpeg_install_path()
+            if sys.platform == 'win32':
+                ffmpeg_exe = os.path.join(ffmpeg_path, 'ffmpeg.exe')
+            else:
+                ffmpeg_exe = os.path.join(ffmpeg_path, 'ffmpeg')
+            
+            if os.path.exists(ffmpeg_exe):
+                result = subprocess.run(
+                    [ffmpeg_exe, '-version'],
+                    capture_output=True,
+                    text=True,
+                    timeout=10,
+                    startupinfo=startupinfo
+                )
+                
+                if result.returncode == 0:
+                    lines = result.stdout.split('\n')
+                    if lines:
+                        first_line = lines[0]
+                        if 'version' in first_line:
+                            parts = first_line.split()
+                            for i, part in enumerate(parts):
+                                if part == 'version' and i + 1 < len(parts):
+                                    return parts[i + 1]
+                        return first_line.strip()
+                    return "Unknown version"
+            return "Not found"
+        except Exception as e:
+            print(f"Error getting FFmpeg version from install path: {e}")
+            return "Not found"
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"Error getting FFmpeg version: {e}")
+        return "Error getting version"
+
+def get_app_data_dir():
+    """Get the OS-specific application data directory."""
+    if sys.platform == 'win32':
+        # Windows: %LOCALAPPDATA%\YTSage\data\
+        return Path(os.environ.get('LOCALAPPDATA', '')) / 'YTSage' / 'data'
+    elif sys.platform == 'darwin':
+        # macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/YTSage/data/
+        return Path.home() / 'Library' / 'Application Support' / 'YTSage' / 'data'
+    else:
+        # Linux: ~/.local/share/YTSage/data/
+        return Path.home() / '.local' / 'share' / 'YTSage' / 'data'
+
+def get_config_file_path():
+    """Get the path to the main configuration file."""
+    return get_app_data_dir() / 'ytsage_config.json'
+
+def ensure_app_data_dir():
+    """Ensure the application data directory exists."""
+    data_dir = get_app_data_dir()
+    data_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    return data_dir
+
+def load_config():
+    """Load the application configuration from file."""
+    config_file = get_config_file_path()
+    default_config = {
+        'download_path': str(Path.home() / 'Downloads'),
+        'speed_limit_value': None,
+        'speed_limit_unit_index': 0,
+        'cookie_file_path': None,
+        'last_used_cookie_file': None,
+        'auto_update_ytdlp': True,  # Enable auto-update by default
+        'auto_update_frequency': 'daily',  # daily, weekly, or startup
+        'last_update_check': 0,  # timestamp of last check
+        'cached_versions': {
+            'ytdlp': {'version': None, 'path': None, 'last_check': 0, 'path_mtime': 0},
+            'ffmpeg': {'version': None, 'path': None, 'last_check': 0, 'path_mtime': 0}
+        }
+    }
+    
+    try:
+        if config_file.exists():
+            with open(config_file, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as f:
+                config = json.load(f)
+                # Merge with defaults to ensure all keys exist
+                for key, value in default_config.items():
+                    if key not in config:
+                        config[key] = value
+                return config
+    except (json.JSONDecodeError, UnicodeError, Exception) as e:
+        print(f"Error reading config file: {e}")
+        # If config file is corrupted, create a new one with defaults
+        save_config(default_config)
+    
+    return default_config
+
+def save_config(config):
+    """Save the application configuration to file."""
+    config_file = get_config_file_path()
+    try:
+        # Ensure the config directory exists
+        ensure_app_data_dir()
+        
+        with open(config_file, 'w', encoding='utf-8') as f:
+            json.dump(config, f, ensure_ascii=False, indent=2)
+        return True
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"Error saving config: {e}")
+        return False
 
 def check_ffmpeg():
     """Check if FFmpeg is installed and accessible with enhanced error handling."""
@@ -52,29 +375,9 @@ def check_ffmpeg():
         print(f"Error checking FFmpeg: {e}")
         return False
 
-def get_yt_dlp_path():
-    """Get the yt-dlp command or path, prioritizing the system PATH."""
-    try:
-        # Use shutil.which to find yt-dlp in the system's PATH
-        yt_dlp_executable = shutil.which('yt-dlp')
-        
-        if yt_dlp_executable:
-            print(f"Found yt-dlp executable in PATH: {yt_dlp_executable}")
-            return yt_dlp_executable
-        else:
-            # If not found in PATH, assume 'yt-dlp' is the command name
-            print("yt-dlp not found in PATH. Will attempt to use 'yt-dlp' as the command.")
-            return 'yt-dlp'
-            
-    except Exception as e:
-        print(f"Error finding yt-dlp path: {e}")
-        # Fallback to the command name on any error
-        print("An error occurred during yt-dlp path detection. Falling back to command 'yt-dlp'.")
-        return 'yt-dlp'
-
 def load_saved_path(main_window_instance):
     """Load saved download path with enhanced error handling."""
-    config_file = main_window_instance.config_file
+    config_file = get_config_file_path()
     try:
         if config_file.exists():
             try:
@@ -106,7 +409,7 @@ def load_saved_path(main_window_instance):
 
 def save_path(main_window_instance, path):
     """Save download path with enhanced error handling."""
-    config_file = main_window_instance.config_file
+    config_file = get_config_file_path()
     try:
         # Verify the path is valid and writable
         if not os.path.exists(path):
@@ -120,10 +423,8 @@ def save_path(main_window_instance, path):
             print("Path is not writable")
             return False
             
-        # Create config directory if it doesn't exist
-        config_dir = config_file.parent
-        if not config_dir.exists():
-            config_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+        # Ensure the config directory exists
+        ensure_app_data_dir()
             
         # Save the config
         config = {'download_path': path}
@@ -138,44 +439,222 @@ def save_path(main_window_instance, path):
 def update_yt_dlp():
     """Check for yt-dlp updates and update if a newer version is available."""
     try:
-        # Get current version
-        try:
-            current_version = pkg_resources.get_distribution("yt-dlp").version
-            print(f"Current yt-dlp version: {current_version}")
-        except pkg_resources.DistributionNotFound:
-            print("yt-dlp not installed via pip, attempting update anyway")
-            current_version = "0.0.0"  # Assume very old version to force update
+        # Get the yt-dlp path
+        yt_dlp_path = get_yt_dlp_path()
+        
+        # Create startupinfo to hide console on Windows
+        startupinfo = None
+        if sys.platform == 'win32' and hasattr(subprocess, 'STARTUPINFO'):
+            startupinfo = subprocess.STARTUPINFO()
+            startupinfo.dwFlags |= subprocess.STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW
+            startupinfo.wShowWindow = 0  # SW_HIDE
             
-        # Get the latest version from PyPI JSON API
-        try:
-            response = requests.get("https://pypi.org/pypi/yt-dlp/json", timeout=10)
-            if response.status_code == 200:
-                data = response.json()
-                latest_version = data["info"]["version"]
-                print(f"Latest available yt-dlp version: {latest_version}")
-                
-                # Compare versions and update if needed
-                if version.parse(latest_version) > version.parse(current_version):
-                    print(f"Updating yt-dlp from {current_version} to {latest_version}...")
-                    update_result = subprocess.run(
-                        [sys.executable, "-m", "pip", "install", "--upgrade", "yt-dlp"],
-                        capture_output=True,
-                        text=True,
-                        check=False
-                    )
-                    if update_result.returncode == 0:
-                        print("yt-dlp successfully updated")
-                        return True
-                    else:
-                        print(f"Error updating yt-dlp: {update_result.stderr}")
-                else:
-                    print("yt-dlp is already up to date")
-                    return True
+        # For binaries downloaded with our app, use direct binary update approach
+        if os.path.dirname(yt_dlp_path) in [
+            os.path.join(os.environ.get('LOCALAPPDATA', ''), 'YTSage', 'bin'),
+            os.path.expanduser(os.path.join('~', 'Library', 'Application Support', 'YTSage', 'bin')),
+            os.path.expanduser(os.path.join('~', '.local', 'share', 'YTSage', 'bin'))
+        ]:
+            # We're using a binary installed by our app, update directly
+            print(f"Updating yt-dlp binary at {yt_dlp_path}")
+            
+            # Determine the URL based on OS
+            if sys.platform == 'win32':
+                url = "https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/releases/latest/download/yt-dlp.exe"
+            elif sys.platform == 'darwin':
+                url = "https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/releases/latest/download/yt-dlp_macos"
             else:
-                print(f"Failed to get latest version info: HTTP {response.status_code}")
-        except Exception as e:
-            print(f"Error checking for yt-dlp updates: {e}")
+                url = "https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/releases/latest/download/yt-dlp"
+                
+            # Download the latest version
+            try:
+                response = requests.get(url, stream=True)
+                if response.status_code == 200:
+                    # Create a temporary file
+                    temp_file = f"{yt_dlp_path}.new"
+                    
+                    with open(temp_file, 'wb') as f:
+                        for chunk in response.iter_content(chunk_size=8192):
+                            f.write(chunk)
+                    
+                    # Make executable on Unix systems
+                    if sys.platform != 'win32':
+                        os.chmod(temp_file, 0o755)
+                    
+                    # Replace the old file with the new one
+                    try:
+                        # On Windows, we need to remove the old file first
+                        if sys.platform == 'win32' and os.path.exists(yt_dlp_path):
+                            os.remove(yt_dlp_path)
+                        
+                        os.rename(temp_file, yt_dlp_path)
+                        print("yt-dlp binary successfully updated")
+                        return True
+                    except Exception as e:
+                        print(f"Error replacing yt-dlp binary: {e}")
+                        return False
+                else:
+                    print(f"Failed to download latest yt-dlp: HTTP {response.status_code}")
+                    return False
+            except Exception as e:
+                print(f"Error downloading yt-dlp update: {e}")
+                return False
+        else:
+            # We're using a system-installed yt-dlp, use pip to update
+            print("Using pip to update yt-dlp")
+            
+            # Get current version
+            try:
+                current_version = pkg_resources.get_distribution("yt-dlp").version
+                print(f"Current yt-dlp version: {current_version}")
+            except pkg_resources.DistributionNotFound:
+                print("yt-dlp not installed via pip, attempting update anyway")
+                current_version = "0.0.0"  # Assume very old version to force update
+                
+            # Get the latest version from PyPI JSON API
+            try:
+                response = requests.get("https://pypi.org/pypi/yt-dlp/json", timeout=10)
+                if response.status_code == 200:
+                    data = response.json()
+                    latest_version = data["info"]["version"]
+                    print(f"Latest available yt-dlp version: {latest_version}")
+                    
+                    # Compare versions and update if needed
+                    if version.parse(latest_version) > version.parse(current_version):
+                        print(f"Updating yt-dlp from {current_version} to {latest_version}...")
+                        update_result = subprocess.run(
+                            [sys.executable, "-m", "pip", "install", "--upgrade", "yt-dlp"],
+                            capture_output=True,
+                            text=True,
+                            check=False,
+                            startupinfo=startupinfo
+                        )
+                        if update_result.returncode == 0:
+                            print("yt-dlp successfully updated")
+                            return True
+                        else:
+                            print(f"Error updating yt-dlp: {update_result.stderr}")
+                    else:
+                        print("yt-dlp is already up to date")
+                        return True
+                else:
+                    print(f"Failed to get latest version info: HTTP {response.status_code}")
+            except Exception as e:
+                print(f"Error checking for yt-dlp updates: {e}")
     except Exception as e:
         print(f"Unexpected error during yt-dlp update: {e}")
     
-    return False
\ No newline at end of file
+    return False
+
+
+def should_check_for_auto_update():
+    """Check if auto-update should be performed based on user settings."""
+    try:
+        config = load_config()
+        
+        # Check if auto-update is enabled
+        if not config.get('auto_update_ytdlp', False):
+            return False
+        
+        frequency = config.get('auto_update_frequency', 'daily')
+        last_check = config.get('last_update_check', 0)
+        current_time = time.time()
+        
+        # Calculate time since last check
+        time_diff = current_time - last_check
+        
+        if frequency == 'startup':
+            # Always check on startup if we haven't checked in the last hour
+            return time_diff > 3600  # 1 hour
+        elif frequency == 'daily':
+            return time_diff > 86400  # 24 hours
+        elif frequency == 'weekly':
+            return time_diff > 604800  # 7 days
+        
+        return False
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"Error checking auto-update schedule: {e}")
+        return False
+
+
+def check_and_update_ytdlp_auto():
+    """Perform automatic yt-dlp update check and update if needed."""
+    try:
+        print("Performing automatic yt-dlp update check...")
+        
+        # Get current version
+        current_version = get_ytdlp_version()
+        if "Error" in current_version:
+            print("Could not determine current yt-dlp version, skipping auto-update")
+            return False
+        
+        # Get latest version from PyPI
+        try:
+            response = requests.get("https://pypi.org/pypi/yt-dlp/json", timeout=10)
+            response.raise_for_status()
+            latest_version = response.json()["info"]["version"]
+            
+            # Clean up version strings
+            current_version = current_version.replace('_', '.')
+            latest_version = latest_version.replace('_', '.')
+            
+            print(f"Current yt-dlp version: {current_version}")
+            print(f"Latest yt-dlp version: {latest_version}")
+            
+            # Compare versions
+            from packaging import version as version_parser
+            if version_parser.parse(latest_version) > version_parser.parse(current_version):
+                print(f"Auto-updating yt-dlp from {current_version} to {latest_version}...")
+                
+                # Perform the update
+                if update_yt_dlp():
+                    print("Auto-update completed successfully!")
+                    # Update the last check timestamp
+                    config = load_config()
+                    config['last_update_check'] = time.time()
+                    save_config(config)
+                    return True
+                else:
+                    print("Auto-update failed")
+                    return False
+            else:
+                print("yt-dlp is already up to date")
+                # Still update the timestamp even if no update was needed
+                config = load_config()
+                config['last_update_check'] = time.time()
+                save_config(config)
+                return True
+                
+        except requests.RequestException as e:
+            print(f"Network error during auto-update check: {e}")
+            return False
+        except Exception as e:
+            print(f"Error during auto-update check: {e}")
+            return False
+            
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"Critical error in auto-update: {e}")
+        return False
+
+
+def get_auto_update_settings():
+    """Get current auto-update settings from config."""
+    config = load_config()
+    return {
+        'enabled': config.get('auto_update_ytdlp', True),
+        'frequency': config.get('auto_update_frequency', 'daily'),
+        'last_check': config.get('last_update_check', 0)
+    }
+
+
+def update_auto_update_settings(enabled, frequency):
+    """Update auto-update settings in config."""
+    try:
+        config = load_config()
+        config['auto_update_ytdlp'] = enabled
+        config['auto_update_frequency'] = frequency
+        save_config(config)
+        return True
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"Error updating auto-update settings: {e}")
+        return False
\ No newline at end of file