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    Essential Programs

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by terminus123, Aug 9, 2011.

  1. terminus123

    terminus123 Notebook Deity

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    Hi, so I'm getting a new notebook soon! (see sig) and will be installing some essential programs I will need. This is the list so far. Please feel free to add any suggestions or remark on any redudant programs.

    Google Chrome: http://www.google.com/chrome/
    AMD Driver: http://support.amd.com/us/Pages/AMDSupportHub.aspx
    AMD Overdrive: http://sites.amd.com/us/game/downloads/amd-overdrive/Pages/overview.aspx
    Microsoft Security Essentials: http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/mse.aspx
    UTorrent: http://www.utorrent.com/downloads
    Dropbox: http://www.dropbox.com/
    Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/
    HWInfo: http://www.hwinfo.com/
    HWMonitor: http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html
    CPU-Z: http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html
    GPU-Z: http://www.techpowerup.com/gpuz/
    3dMark11: http://www.3dmark.com/3dmark11/download/
    3dMarkVantage: http://www.3dmark.com/3dmarkvantage/download/
    VLC Media Player: http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
    Intel SSD Toolbox: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=18455
    Malwarebytes Anti-Malware: http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free
    Razer Deathadder Driver: http://www.razersupport.com/index.p...&parentcategoryid=131&pcid=11&nav=0,76,168,11
     
    terminus123, Aug 9, 2011
    #1
  2. Jarhead

    Jarhead 恋の♡アカサタナ

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    Jarhead, Aug 9, 2011
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  3. Hungry Man

    Hungry Man Notebook Virtuoso

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    ninite.com
     
    Hungry Man, Aug 9, 2011
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  4. terminus123

    terminus123 Notebook Deity

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    does Microsoft Secutiry Essentials come pre-installed in Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit or do I have to install it from the site?
     
    terminus123, Aug 9, 2011
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  5. Jarhead

    Jarhead 恋の♡アカサタナ

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    You have to install it from Microsoft's website.
     
    Jarhead, Aug 9, 2011
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  6. Hungry Man

    Hungry Man Notebook Virtuoso

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    You have to install it.
     
    Hungry Man, Aug 9, 2011
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  7. terminus123

    terminus123 Notebook Deity

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    k cool, thanks I added some more programs (edited in first post). Hopefully I still have a good amount of room left for my games on the SSD!
     
    terminus123, Aug 9, 2011
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  8. Sahugani

    Sahugani Notebook Consultant

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    i would suggest revo uninstaller. it is so much better than Add/Remove Programs as it searches for registry entries after you uninstall a program. but the choice is yours terminus123.
     
    Sahugani, Aug 10, 2011
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  9. Raptor88

    Raptor88 Notebook Consultant

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    I would suggest substituting Malwareebytes Anti-Malware with SuperAntiSpyware PRo as it is better in detecting stuff, and can even detect harmful cookies which MBAM misses.

    It's the best Malware product out there and is also free
     
    Raptor88, Aug 10, 2011
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  10. johnnyman27

    johnnyman27 Notebook Lover

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    johnnyman27, Aug 10, 2011
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  11. Fishon

    Fishon I Will Close You

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    No such thing as an essential program. Everyone uses their system differently. Having said this- a couple of programs worth mentioning as well:

    Irfanview or XnView as an image viewer. Download IrfanView

    For checking under the hood (in order of importance/usage):

    Autoruns Autoruns for Windows

    Process Explorer Process Explorer

    Process Monitor Process Monitor

    Filehippo software update checker. Kind of on the fence with this one but still use it. FileHippo.com Update Checker - FileHippo.com Not always accurate.

    Mouse gestures. This one is essential to me.

    StrokeIt - Mouse Gestures for Windows at the OS level or for FF https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/addon/mouse-gestures-redox/ Chrome as it too.

    Winamp for internet radio/music/MP3 player. Winamp Media Player - MP3, Video, and Music Player - Winamp

    At some point you probably need a PDF converter. I have Adobe Pro so I do not use this, but I do install on other systems without:
    http://www.cutepdf.com/products/cutepdf/writer.asp

    Bonus: Godmode: http://gigaom.com/mobile/how-to-enable-windows-7-secret-god-mode/ Have it as an icon on my desktop.
     
    Fishon, Aug 10, 2011
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  12. Steven

    Steven God Amongst Mere Mortals

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    Nothing is essential, everything depends on the user.

    However these are my recommendations:
    *An updated browser such as IE9, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Opera.
    * A music manager such as Itunes or Winamp
    * Something like Microsoft Office word 2010 or Open Office
    * Ccleaner
    * A good security software such as MSE or ESET
     
    Steven, Aug 10, 2011
    #12
  13. nu_D

    nu_D Notebook Deity

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    This is what I've got installed separated into obvious categories:

    MSE, Comodo, MalwareBytes
    Office 2010, Adobe Reader
    Itunes, VLC, Winamp, Quicktime, Handbrake
    Live Messenger, Skype
    Firefox, Chrome
    CCleaner, Perfectdisk 12, Glary Utilities, Revo Uninstaller
    HWmonitor, HWinfo64, CPU-z, GPU-z
    Utorrent, Free Download Manager

    I found these to be the best for me...
     
    nu_D, Aug 10, 2011
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  14. Jarhead

    Jarhead 恋の♡アカサタナ

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    Installed programs on my computer:

    MSE/MBAM
    Office 2010 Professional Plus, Adobe Reader 10.1.0, Adobe Flash
    iTunes, Audacity
    Skype 5.3
    Firefox 5, IE9
    Revo Uninstaller
    HWmonitor, HWinfo64, CPU-Z/GPU-Z, PCMark7, 3DMark11
    uTorrent 3.0, DAEMON Tools Lite, ImgBurn
    TrueCrypt, KeePass
    Intel SSD Toolbox
    Origin (I bought BFBC2 from EA's website)
     
    Jarhead, Aug 10, 2011
    #14