[update: this page is mostly a reference for me, I use it to track the software I need to install when I get a new computer or setup a new virtual machine]
So you bought a new computer or you just re-installed windows, what should you install? Here is a list of the most essential software that you will need.
Firefox
A great Internet browser and IE replacement, even if you prefer IE, I still think you should install it. Get it from http://tinyurl.com/2lxy2k
AVG
This is my favorite free anti-virus. Its lightweight, efficient and always up to date.
Get it at http://free.grisoft.com/
RoboForm
This is one of the most useful utilities I ever used. It fills out all my forms with me and can store multiple credit cards, multiple addresses, and per-site logins.
Save your wrist and get it from http://www.roboform.com/php/land.php?affid=dnf01&frm=frame10
µTorrent
If you don’t know what is a torrent, then skip this one. Otherwise, you should definitely get this BitTorrent client. It’s free, small, fast and has no advertisements. A.K.A uTorrent,
Get it at http://www.utorrent.com/
WordWeb
This a great free application that has a thesaurus and dictionary and sits in your task bar. All you have to do is hold down the control key and right click on any word in any program and you get its definition, synonyms, antonyms, etc…
Get it at http://wordweb.info/free/
Picasa
You can either get it from the Google Pack which includes a lot of very useful software or you can download it directly.
Get it through Google Pack at http://tinyurl.com/39sgpt or get it individually at http://picasa.google.com/download/
Instant Messaging
Depending on which network you have more friends on or which is your favorite IM client, you will have to at least install one or more of these:
- AIM www.aim.com
- Yahoo http://messenger.yahoo.com
- Windows Live Messenger (or MSN messenger) http://get.live.com/messenger/overview?wa=wsignin1.0
- Google Talk http://tinyurl.com/39sgpt or http://www.google.com/talk/
- Trillian (multi-protocol) http://www.ceruleanstudios.com/downloads/
- Skype http://tinyurl.com/39sgpt or http://www.skype.com/download
- ICQ http://download.icq.com
Windows Live Writer
If you are a blogger on any of the major blogging platforms out there, then this the best free application you can get your hands on for creating and editing your blog posts/pages.
Get it at http://writer.live.com/
Ditto
This is an excellent clipboard extension/utility that once you get used to it, you won’t be able to live without it. It remember everything you copy or cut and you can call the main window with a hotkey to make a previously cut/coppied item the active item which you can then paste wherever. It also has a search feature. If you copied something a few days ago and you don’t feel like typing it again just search for it and paste it.
Get it at http://ditto-cp.sourceforge.net/
UltraMon
If you have a dual-monitor setup, then you MUST buy and install this application. It lets you move windows between monitors with a hotkey, stretch the task bar across both monitors and a bunch of other neat features. It costs $39 but you can try it for free. I also recently heard of this utility which I have not tried myselfy but i read plenty of good reviews [to be continued...]
