Alex @ Net

The purpose of this list is to collect in one place the best (and mostly free) programs for Windows 2000/XP/Vista operation systems. In other words, this is what you may want to install just after you have a fresh computer with the out-of-the-box operation system. Everything is for x86 platform.

I suppose you already have IE7 and WMP11. You even may install it as I described in my post about how to install Windows XP with all updates.

This list contains only general purpose programs. If you looking for similar list for developers, try the Jamp! Easy Java/Apache/PHP/MySQL install in one click project and this list below.

System
Microsoft .NET frameworks

• 1.0 + Service Pack 3.
• 1.1 + Service Pack 1.
• 2.0.
• 3.0.

Microsoft Windows Power Shell
Daemon Tools - DVD/CD emulation.
PuTTY - a free Telnet/SSH client.

Internet Browsers
Safari
Mozilla FireFox + WebDeveloper, FireBug, Google Toolbar, Stop-or-Reload Button, Tab Mix Plus, Locationbar2, Fireshot, Scrapbook, Greasemonkey + customize toolbars.
Opera
Google Gears extension

Download Managers
WGet - console download manager. Ideal for BAT files.
Free Download Manager - Good UI, scheduler.

Security and protection
Password Commander - keeps all your passwords secured.
AVG - Anti-virus.
Symantec Client Security - Anti-virus and firewall.
Agnitum Outpost Security Suite - Anti-virus and firewall.
Lavasoft Ad-Aware

File and archive managers
Total Commander
7-Zip

Office
OpenOffice.org
PDF: Adobe Acrobat Reader, FoxIt Reader.
MS Office: Word Viewer 2003, Excel Viewer 2003, PowerPoint Viewer 2007, Office File Converter Pack.

Images
Paint .NET - editor.
Google Picasa - albums.

Multimedia
MPlayer - does not require external codecs, supports dozens of command line options.
Apollo - high quality and compact music player.

Email
Mozilla Thunderbird

IM
Windows Live Messenger
Google Talk
Skype
Mutiprotocol clients: Trillian, QIP

Other
EditPlus - Text Editor
Wireshark - Network Protocol Analyzer
DemoCharge 2005 - create demonstrations.

For Software Developers
TortoiseSVN - Subversion (SVN) client.

For .NET Software Developers
Visual Studio 2005
Express (free): Visual Studio Express
JetBrains ReSharper
Lutz Roeder's Reflector for .NET