My $.02
- ComboFix is a fantastic malware remover, but it is slow, and the machine is unusable when running it. Also, there's no way I've found to just update it's detection & removal database, so you need to download a fresh copy every time you use it (unless you're using it multiple times per day). I use Microsoft Security Essentials to prevent infections, and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for 90% of the removals where MSSE fails. ComboFix is the last resort.
- CCleaner is a fast and easy way to do many of the things that I used to do manually - clean out startup items, uninstall software, delete temp files, etc.
- HDGraph is another one I use all the time. It creates a pie chart of where all your hard drive space is being used. It's great for finding out what program is eating all your hard drive space.
- Others that bear mentioning: 7-zip, MWsnap, Network Notepad, PDFcreator, Wireshark, and WhoCrashed (free for private use, low-cost for business use)
