Fresh Windows 7 install---what free apps to get?

[deckeda]

Retail copy; zero crapware present. What am I taking for granted with Macs that is still needed for Windows?

I installed Firefox even though I understand IE9 isn't terrible. Is Adobe Reader still needed to open PDFs? That kind of basic crash course I need. MS Security Essentials installed too, etc.

[Monster]

disable MS Security Essential first, and install AVAST!
Seriously, that is the very first thing you should do.

I could list a few things, but start with that, go to http://www.filehippo.com/ to download the latest version, and while you are there do some perusing for a few other freebie programs, for now I'll let those stand as my list.

I would also keep a bookmark for http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/

[deckeda]

Thanks!

OK, I suppose I should also find a good Windows/PC forum (besides this one, heh.)

But why Avast over Security Essentials? I was hoping there would be less cruft and/or better integration with the MS security solution. No?

[Trouble]

I'd recommend MSE. It is free and every review I've ever read always puts it at the top in protection and light footprint.

I'd get 7zip as well.

[kap]

MyDeFrag
Lavasoft Ad-aware
TeamViewer

And from my recent experience :biggrin:
Picperk
PDF Creator

[deckeda]

PDFCreator
7Zip
Dropbox

TeamViewer is also on my list. Dunno what Picperk is but will investigate.

Question: why the 3rd-party defrag over what's built-in?

And I'll need a quickie primer on what the ad-aware stuff does?

[kap]

deckeda wrote:
PDFCreator
7Zip
Dropbox

TeamViewer is also on my list. Dunno what Picperk is but will investigate.

Question: why the 3rd-party defrag over what's built-in?

And I'll need a quickie primer on what the ad-aware stuff does?

Personally mydefrag is more thorough and faster than Windows built-in. Ad-aware removes malware.

[deckeda]

Gotcha.

Brings me back to the MS solution (which you can tell that I otherwise tend to prefer rather than "needlessly" reinvent the wheel ...

How is something like Ad-aware different or better than MS Malicious Software Removal Tool?

[Trouble]

Here is some stuff. CCleaner, Defraggler http://www.piriform.com/products

[deckeda]

How about something that can open PDFs? Something worth considering over Adobe Reader?