Discussion on:

10 essential (and free) Windows applications

for the love of God, AVG is the worst.

I'm always on the lookout for the next great AV in the giant game of leapfrog that is AV software. What's your preference instead of AVG?

Try Avira Antivir, works just fine. http://www.free-av.com/

AVAST (free for home users).

I do on a laptop with no ill effects. I have seen in cleaning other systems that were infected, when I run both, they pick up things the other missed...Yes Avast missed a few nasties and AVG picked them up...and vice-versa

It's not always a good idea to have two AV programs on one computer. If you are just running scans with them then there will not be a problem, but most AV programs come with monitoring your machine. This can cause serious conflicts and may also include false positives.

I've tried many different free AV programs. In my experience I've pretty much come to the conclusion that Avast is by far the best of the free AV available. This is primarily because it comes with a boot-time scan. The best way to run any AV program is in safe mode because no other processes are running, but a boot-time scan will scan every file.

This of course does not help on Server related issues, but for your typical computer I suggest a combination of programs running.

Avast: http://avast.com/

COMODO Firewall: http://www.comodo.com/
COMODO does come with a AV program that I have not tried. I just use the firewall. I think that COMODO is much better than other free solutions.

ThreatFire Free: http://www.threatfire.com/

InfoProcess Anti-Hook: http://www.infoprocess.com.au/download.php

Just my 2 cents!!

It was competely unusable until a series of circus acrobatic tricks got me far enough into the system to get one of them off. I wouldn't put any two AV active scanners together on a system.

Back a scanner up with another manual scanner; absolutely. Hit your system with a manual Avira liveCD or ClamAV scan (Clam shouldn't be the only backup AV though).

Iv tried them all as I am a builder and I install Avast on all my builds my self I use Norton basic but it is not free now Microsoft has Security Essentials and it seems to work with Avast or Norton installed

PC-Tools (free) is better than AVG and Avast. I have used it to fix infections that the other two couldn't handle. If a computer is clean, Avast is OK, especially since it is automatic unlike PC-Tools. It will keep a computer clean, but not necessarily get it that way when it is infected.

I've been installing Avast! on every personnal computers I've touched so far and it has always performed well.

Ccleaner is good but it did erase essentials registry keys on some occasions so I don't install it on a technologicaly challenged user's computer.

Spybot S&D is definitely a must for any installation.

Crossloop is also a good tool if you plan to give support to the user afterwards.

...it's nag-ware. Unless you purchase the PRO version, it's prone to pop-ups & the annoying reminders to buy the pro version. Try ClamWin for a hassle-free, FREE AV solution that works well.

I'll have to have another look at ClamAV. I use it on all my *nix machines and carry the flashdrive version with my tools but didn't know there was a Windows TSR version now too.

I'm guessing you didn't register it. Registering is free and just takes a second. After that, it doesn't ask you for anything. No popups, nothing. Doesn't anyone read the instructions anymore?

every few weeks it updates and tells me I gotta reboot

No, avast! never show you popups except if you choose a function is only available in the Pro version. I used it for 2 years, and I am really satisfied. Avira is also a good choice, but it shows up too much popups.

I've been using Clamfree AV and haven't had any problems. You can download it from Sourceforge.

and I prefer it to AVG as well. Only in the free versions, AVG has the edge, since it will scan incoming email. The Avira/Antivir does not scan email in the free version. A major mistake on their part I believe. They make a damn fine AV package, but if it was not "crippled" in free use, they would get a whole lot more attention and recomendations. I usually urge people to antivir or NOD32 when looking at paid for AV products. And AVG when looking at free products.

I love when poking someone's less than detailed disparaging word results in helpful responses from others. Guess it's about time I look over the other AV offerings again and see if it's time to upgrade.

Try ESET NOD 32. Small footprint, high detection statistics.

Eset is not free. It is a 30 day demo. A couple of people have recommended it lately, but they are running Pirated copies.

Some of the apps mentioned perform functions I don't need at all, much less essential. Others perform services I consider nice but hardly essential. Still other functions I consider essential have no application on the list.

I only consider one function performed by the original list essential (AV), and only two of the functions (AV, anti-spyware) mentioned in the comments so far. It's interesting to see what other people classify as essential.

Many of the apps I dont use from the list. I watch dvd's on my dvd player, not my comp. I dont play with graphics much, so dont need photo editing.
For me, the more essentials would be
Antivirus
AntiSpyware
Firewall
Recovery/Boot disk
Alternate Browser
Office App
cd/dvd burning sw
Outlook (mail client, Outlook prefered)

There are many free applications available on the Internet. Are you looking for security? Are you looking for graphic programs, or are you looking for other programs?

I made a post above this one explaining to one that two AV's could cause problems. I listed a few good programs to have on your computer for security. They are all free!

that no one has mentioned PDFCreator. There is CutePDF and PrimoPDF, but no PDFCreator? Sheesh...
You should look into it if printing to PDF is what you need/like. I found it as an alternative to buying Adobe Acrobat for 8 computers, that did not need print quality PDF creation. Its on sourceforge, find it, get to know it, love it.

..., but most people are too scared to actually learn anything about setting up things like editable fields in a PDF, they just want to be able to make documents to send to customers/clients/friends etc. that can't be changed. (BTW, I realise that doing that doesn't require editable fields using PDFCreator, but customers don't know that, and don't want to know more than they need to.)
To do this, they don't need to know how to set up a PDF, they just need to know how tu use Word. The key point on programs like this is "Keep it Simple"
Oah, and, yes, I have used PDFCreator, and I agree that it's a more useful program, but, for example, what's the point in buying a $3000.00 gaming computer to play the original quake game?!? Bit of overkill for most people...

It has always been my opinion to run more than one malware package. I run 4 at home. If one becomes compromised or unstable, I have other ways in which to deal with issues. I still like AVG, but I also run others. I discovered a few years ago that one of the programs I liked at the time had 'sold out' and allowed through a few things. I have not seen a single package that is 100% on everything. Firewall, Antivirus, and Anti-Spyware are all required.

It is unfortunate that DanielT17 had issues with AVG. I have found for most of the end users I help (friends and family) can use that package without signficant issues. The automatic email scan feature is why I choose it over others. I am also assisting some on limited income (retirees) and it has to be free and fully functional to be worth using for me.

It offers a package deal for free. Here is a link: http://personalfirewall.comodo.com/

Everybody has their own personal list of favorites and that is perfectly fine. Personally I have used AVG and have been virus free for over 5 years. Of course it goes without saying, unlike alot of "newbies" and other novice users don't click on attachments and the like in emails just to see what it is. I try to instill this habit in most customers. Some take to it, some don't.

Could you be more specific? AVG works great for me. Personal commentary is fine but unless you know something the rest of the world doesn't know, I find it hard to switch just because someone says "EEWWWW!"

I've also been using AVG for quite sometime now, and on several machines, and have never had a real issue with it. I admit that I get annoyed with it's intrusive updates every now and then but that's part of the deal.

i've used AVG for quite some time and have had nothing but success with it. please back up your dislikes with a reason and an alternative. (that's the basics of issuing a complaint about something) thanks for the input. EEEWWWWWWW doesn't cut it in the corporate world. lol

...it does not offer a boot-time scan in the free addition. At least not one that I've been able to find. I used it for awhile, but still was not satisfied when I got an infection. I could not run a boot-time scan to find the problem. I removed it and installed Avast. I ran a boot-time scan and it cleaned the virus.

Don't forget about Hijackthis.... It a good programs for free. It more for advance stuff.

...that HijackThis will not remove problems, it just notifies an advanced user of problems. You should never tell HijackThis to remove infections, because it can not!

I now recommend AVAST Free edition to home users. Daily automatic updates work flawlessly with audio feedback.
AVG never updates easily on dial-up connections.

GOM Player plays all of the various video codecs. I have not found any that don't work yet. It's a very small app and doesn't hog resources. http://www.gomplayer.com/

MESSAGE DELETED

I carry Putty around on my flash drive, and I install it on any Windows machine I plan to use on any sort of consistent basis.

My only problem with Winamp is that it doesn't connect to DAAP shares, so i can't use it for playing music off of my Firefly music server.

I would like add

JEdit - For Text editing

XnView - Great Picture Viewer/Sorter/Slideshow Maker

ZipGenuis - A Free real Alternative to Winzip

And last

Wireshark - Ever wanted to know what was happening on your network - Protcol Anaylser

Just tell me, 'cos I'm curious, what possible use does the average user have for programs like Putty, Filezilla or Wireshark?!? Are we or are we not talking about free programs to put on EVERY new/repaired/upgraded computer?!?

For certain situations, I agree, but not for EVERY one...

The only thing that I'd add would be ZoneAlarm.

After my free year of Norton ran out I tried avg, clamAV and a couple of others, finally avast. I ran the initial boot scan and the virus alerts lit up like slot machine that just hit triple 7's. This must be a BIG misstake or maybe I just picked them up while downloading this piece of crap!!! I almost uninstalled it when it wanted to put half of my hard drive (of course it was the porn half!) in its virus chest. Seriously though, it found a lot of scary stuff and not newly acquired stuff either, I found it on my back-up disks and a hard drive I pulled during my Norton days. Go with avast.

KMPlayer hands down, the best media player. It has built in codec that will play virtually ANYTHING!!! Many do some of what it does but this one can do it all. (See for yourself - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_media_players ) It's many settings choices make it harder to get the hang of but well worth the effort.

BUT, my all-star pick, even though it?s not in a mainstream category of software?s, Windows Unattended CD Creator 1.0.2 is my pick. It lets you create a user-customized Windows Unattended installation disk, real easy to use. Lets you slipstream updates, programs, drivers, cd-key, everything. I just found this gem a few weeks ago and ... I know there are others, and I tried most them. I soon realized I was missing whatever the necessary attributes were (an MIT degree? Heavy LSD use?) to guide me through the maze of countless steps, mind numbing help files and finally therapy only to end up with something that looked like a cd but turned out to be a coaster. SO... in 3 words, Windows Unattended CD Creator 1.0.2 is EASY, EASY, And Easy!

Finally, to the others that mentioned Putty, will that work as a software version of a KVM switch? If not, can anyone recommend one that is simple to setup? Thank you in advance.

MESSAGE DELETED

Don't Forget The GIMP! I teach computers at a public school and instead of buying Photoshop for about 200 computers, I use The GIMP. It work better than Photoshop in my opinion.

The GIMP is great as long as you can find your way around. I never can find anything when I'm working in it. Photoshop's a little easier for me, plus if I get stuck my wife's much better with it than I am and she can tell me how to do whatever it is I'm trying to do. Of course my wife's a professional graphic designer and took whole classes on Photoshop in college.

If you've never used Photoshop, then I guess it wouldn't make a difference which one you start using, learning curve-wise.

I may have to install GIMPShop and see if I do any better with it...

Here is a list of applications many consider as essential applications, and I have loaded these onto pretty much every computer I have ever built.

1) AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic 6??
(Go to http://www.overclockers.com/articles1260/ to find out why)

2) AdAware SE
I AdAware has alway been a reliable and lightweight spyware/malware scanner, but 2007 still has too many issues with it, so stick with SE...

3) Spybot S&D
Having AdAware is all well and good, but you should also carry a heavyhitter, and there's none better in the free spyware scanners than Spybot S&D. not recommended for regular use, as "tea-timer" slows down the system like nothing on earth, but if you leave it on there and run once every, say, 4 times you run AdAware, you'll probarbly be surprised at the results that AdAware misses.

4) CCleaner
some people recommend not putting this onto novices computers, but I disagree. Instruct them on exactly how to simply update and remove only the basic results. It's either that or teach them how to remove rubbish this programs takes care of themselves instead of automatically. I have lost count of times where computer issues have been things such as 700-800mb Temp internet files slowing the computer to all hell. Simple solution, CCleaner.

5)Adobe Acrobat Reader
Come on people, how hard is it to keep the installer and put it on any computer that comes your way?!?

6)PrimoPDF
I haven't personally had any problems ever with "CutePDF", but I've had complaints about it before, as well as some dodgy reviews. Primo is one of the most highly recommended online...

7) VLC
VLC Media Player is one of the most powerful free multi-format media players available for the simple reason that: They don't worry about crappy visual themes or any such junk, no advertising, no hidden quirks or catches. It's very basic, easy to use and I have never had a problem with it...

8)iTunes
Pretty well goes without saying. The iPod is the dominant portable media item on the market, with over 80% of sales in it's catergory going to it alone. iTunes makes it easy to import, organise, mix and redistribute your usic, and it's pretty well going to be copatible anywhere.

9) Quicktime
Again, people, keep the installer, take the bother off your customer. Little kindnesses like that can mean a lot. You get one customer who knows a bit and expects to have to install all that kinda rubbish, starts up their computer, and sees "Hey, Hang on, he/she did it FOR me!" and they'll spread the word.

10) OpenOffice
With the compatibility modes built into it, this 150MB odd FREE office suite really can't be overlooked... PLUS Java is installed with OpenOffice, so it kinda covers Two apps...