Must have, bare min programs? (Formatting)

What are the must have, bare minimum programs? About to format, might be rolling back to XP from Vista.

-Anti-Virus (Nod32)
-Anti-Spyware (Spybot S&D+Windows Defender)
-Anti-Adware (Ad-Aware)
-PDF Reader (Foxit Reader)
-Codecs/Media (CCCP)
-Reg Cleaner (CCleaner)
-Malware (Microsoft Malware Removal Tool)
-Password Bank (Password Corral)
-CD/DVD burning software (Exact Audio Copy+DVD Decrypter)
-Unzipper/rar/ect (7-Zip)

Final list.

 

You need an Office suite.

 

7.Zip

cheers ...

 

make sure u have all needed drivers first before zapping vista

cheers ...

 

True, anyway to download Word for free from the official Microsoft site if you have Windows? I have heard people do this in the past. Not sure if it was true. Word is really all I need right now.

I will check it out.

Oh yeah. Haha. Thanks.

Any other suggestions?

 

winrar is a good zip prog, and the demo never ends. and you can get open office for free

 

yep, 2nd that Open Office - it works great, even under vista

cheers ...

 

if only to read pdf, take a look at FoxitReader, small footprint, much more flexibilities

cheers ...

 

I use ExtractNow for my "unzipper".

 

That should be the rule before reformatting a non pre-installed OS. I have all my divers that I download separate on my storage partition. After I format I just click and install.

Winrar is the most powerful out there

 

For spyware, just go with Spyware Doctor. SD>Ad-aware+ Spybot+ Windows defender+your life

 

LOL.
I use Open Office and it does a good job as a MS office replacement.
I also recommend Google desktop, if you miss the Vista sidebar

 

XP has a built-in unzipper... that's what I usually use.
On XP, I'd consider Firefox a must-have program.

 

Well it turns out I stuck with Vista. I just couldn't give up the security features. I love how it ask me to install things. It grew on me.

I just finished installing all the drivers, and an anti virus.

Just realized Windows has an unzipper. However, can it do .rar files? Those are also pretty common.

Spyware Doctor also seems to be a pay for program. Looking for free

Nod32
adaware
spybot
windows defender+vistas internal security features.
windows firewall+network router

these should keep me safe correct?

 

Yeah that should keep you safe.
7-Zip handles pretty much anything that Windows' built-in unzipper doesn't.

 

you need defrag software auslogic defrag is a good choice
Klite codec pack should is a good choice
VLC will replace real alternative and quicktime alternative
Utorrent
Avast is a great alternative to NOD if you want it free =)

 

Firefox, and if you have POP or IMAP accounts Thunderbird.

My choices differ slightly from others:
-Comodo Personal Firewall (if XP... no vista version yet)
-Avira's AntiVir (if I feel like I need virus protection)

For my own personal machines, I also add:
-Hamachi
-VNC (be it ultra or tight, depending on platform)
-SpywareBlaster (to immunize my PCs from many common spywares)

 

I reinstalled Windows Vista Ultimate 2 days back. And these are the stuff I have on mine

Security : Nod 32, I haven’t installed a 3rd party firewall yet, maybe I’ll stick with the built in firewall for the moment (behind a hardware firewall)
Productivity : MS Office, Acrobat reader
Internet : FireFox, FlashGet, MSN, Skype, GTalk
Multimedia : CCCP codec pack + Media Player Classic, Real alternative , VLC Player
File compression : WinRAR

Other than that I have my own stuff like development environments etc., but they can’t be considered as bare minimum for everyone.

 

this latest version is giving me a nag with always starting a "scanner" at every boot, even though i already disbale the service and the start up process

u r on the right path, inputted posts above have loads of cool suggestions, try them at ur leisure

my vista security is at a minimum with vista firewall/defender, avast and spyware.blaster - adAware running once a month.

cheers ...

 

one would think so, but considering the amount of threads pleading for help finding xp drivers after upgrading/downgrading from vista ... out there, this rule is being easily ignored

cheers ...

 

You sure hit the nail on the head there.

 

Thanks everyone, I posted the final list I used on the first page.