So I've reinstalled Windows 7 and I'll make a list with all the software I need to put on it. This thread might deserve being pinned because I think it might be very useful. Everybody's free to post his alternatives.

First of all, antivirus:
I personally use Kaspersky Antivirus 2010 http://esd.element5.com/pimages/50198/k ... trial.html
But there are great free alternatives such as Avast http://www.avast.com/en-eu/free-antivirus-download .

No. 2, Internet Browser
If you use Internet explorer, change it to one of these:
Mozilla Firefox: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/
Google Chrome: http://www.google.com/chrome/?hl=en
Opera: http://www.opera.com/
Safari: http://www.apple.com/safari/

No. 2.1, Flash, Shockwave and Java:
Flash: http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/
Shockwave: http://get.adobe.com/shockwave/
Java: http://www.java.com/en/download/

No. 2.5, if you chose Mozilla Firefox, then you'll want to add this add-ons:
Adblock Plus: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1865/
1-Click YouTube Video Download 1.4: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/13990/
Youtube to MP3: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/11047/

No. 3, Maintenance:
Well, in order to keep a PC nice and fast you'll need this thingies:
CCleaner: http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner *
Defraggler: http://www.piriform.com/defraggler
*NOTE: remember to add the next folder to the exclude list: C:Windows/Prefetch

No. 3, Video Players
Ze internets is a great place to be part of, but in order to view the whole content of some sites (and to even run some video games) you might need these:
QuickTime Player: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/
DivX Player: http://www.divx.com/en/win

No. 4, Office Tools
Microsoft charges people for it's Office Suite, but there is a great alternative:
OpenOffice.org: ttp://www.openoffice.org/

No. 5, CD/DVD/HD DVD or Blu-ray emulator:
Daemon Tools: http://www.daemon-tools.cc/eng/downloads/dtproStd
Alchohol 120%: http://www.alcohol-soft.com/ *
*NOTE: not free

No. 6, if you want to play games, then you'll need this:
Steam: http://www.steampowered.com

No. 7, PDF reader:
FoxIt Reader: http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/reader/

No. 8, making CDs:
Nero Essentials: http://www.nero.com/eng/downloads-nero9-free.php
CdBurner XP: http://cdburnerxp.se/

Something similar here > viewtopic.php?f=24&t=5057

But on this subject, just check Ninite, it rocks > http://ninite.com/

Bookmark it and forget about forum threads

Oh, . Thanks for ninite tho'. Gonna use it.

Really recommend, Everything > http://www.voidtools.com/
But ninite pretty much has it all.

Hey, good work on your list tho!

Shockwave? Does that even exist anymore? Don't install that crap. Flash is one too plugin too many that we have to bear with in this world of crappy software.

Oh very nice.

Even with developer tools. WinSCP, Eclipse, Notepad++ and Putty is made of win.

Btw MS Security Essentials appear nice, but I had an issue one day where it consumed too many resources on my netbook. Seem to have repaired itself though. Otherwise I think it is superior Avast & AVG in that it doesn't pop up with all kind of bloody sounds and message boxes, and just does its bloody job without being smart about it.

You can turn the non essential AV notifications off if they bug you iPWN

quick q about this, will it install those annoying bloody sponsors toolbars that some of the apps listed on that site bug you about at every install? I'll give it a whirl next machine i build

Personally I've always been a fan of nlite, although discs get dated.

If you are referring to http://www.ninite.com then(Top of the page)

That site is unbelievable. I already use about a dozen of those apps, great list. That will save me a lot of effort when setting up a new PC.

it makes me want to format just to use it