If you are using Windows XP use original version with

1.Windows Update Turned On.(Better if you upgrade to microsoft update)

2.Windows Firewall Turned On.

3.*System Protection Software are must haves and you must install it before all others.

and with all these software Mentioned here it will be a pleasent experience working in windows.

The task in your hand is to google out each software mentioned and get the best of it.

Freeware Must Haves	$Ware Must Haves	$Ware You Would Like
Desktop Integration	Office Suite	1.WordWeb Pro Version
1.Launchy	1.Microsoft Word	2.DivX Player Pro Version
2.VistaStartMenu	2.Microsoft Excel	3.Vista Start Menu Pro Version
3.TeraCopy	3.Microsoft Powerpoint	4.WinRAR Pro Version
4.QT Addressbar	Notes Tool	Startup Must Have
5.Unlocker	1.Microsoft OneNote	1.AVG Antivirus Free Edition
Desktop Search Integration	Image Manipulation	2.Windows Defender
1.Google Desktop Search	1.Adobe Photoshop	3.Launchy
2.Picasa	System Audio Enhancement	4.VistaStartMenu
System Protection*		5.QT Addressbar
1.AVG Antivirus Free Edition		6.Google Desktop Search
2.Windows Defender		7.Picasa
Messengers	1.SRS Audio Sand Box	8.Microsoft One Note(If You Have Purchased)
1.Pidgin	CD Burning/Image	9.Wordweb(Pro)
2.Gtalk(Orkut Users)	1.Nero	10.Unlocker
Password Protection	2.Power ISO
1.Keepas Password Safe	CD Archives Manager
Player	1.CD Bank Cataloguer
1.GOM Player(Download Codec when needed)-No Codec Pack Install	Converters
2.Windows Media Player(Ignore if installed by default)	Im not much into connvertes so if you happen to be record a lot in mobile then
3.DIVX Player	1.Allok AMR Converter
CD Image	System Maintence Software
1.Daemon Tools	1.Reg Supreme Pro
Browser+FTP Transactions	2.HDD Life
1.Mozilla Firefox
2.Internet Explorer(Ignore if installed by default)
3.SmartFTP
4.Free Download Manager
5.Windows LIve Mail(For Feeds and Newsgroups also)
6.Windows Live Writer(Bloggers)
Last but not the least ***** Softwares
1.Notepad++
2.Adobe Acrobat Reader
3.WinRAR(Other than current version are free)