Vista essential software?

Ok, so I am about to get a new laptop (Thinkpad T61) and I purposely order it with Vista Home edition so that I can do a clean install using Vista Business 64bit, which I get free from work!

The thing is, I am a newbe with Vista, but not a complete newbe... I have use Vista Ultimate from work, but it seems like a lot of the older software will not run on it (PcAnywhere for instance~).

What I need are the follow and must be free
1. Antivirus
2. Firewall
3. Remote connection software such as PcAnywhere, that allow file transfer, but free!
4. PDF creation software (I use Ghostscript, freeware)

I know that AVG Antivirus will work on vista 32bit, but how about 64bit version? Same with Zonealarm, I would like to continue using it in vista 64...

In term of remote connection software, will VNC work? I have never use it but people keep telling me is great! Will do file transfer and remote reboot, etc?? The things that PcAnywhere can do!

Lastly, is Ghostscript going to work in vista 64??

Thanks!

 

The best free anti virus/firewall/anti spyware programs


Best Free Software for Windows

 

AVG on 64bit is a yes. Not sure about ghostscript but if its like adobe or foxit reader then probably yes. Check google first

 

Calvin's Free SW list is very handy

 

Ghostscript works. I have it installed for some program.

 

Alright! Seems like AVG and Ghostscript are compatible!

Anyone try zonealarm on 64bit by any chance? I like the warning it gives, allowing me to block programs like real player from access internet...

Remote connection software will be a tough one to replace completely, but I am happy to be proven wrong

 

Try LogMeIn Free, It works on 64-bit and is great.

 

For remote connection, consider Remote Desktop that comes with Windows (Start > Accessories > Remote Desktop Connection). You'll need to have either XP Pro or Vista Biz/Ultimate on the server/target machine though.

VNC is also a free option, and will work no matter what OSes you're using. I haven't tried it though.

 

Just try window's remote desktop right now and to my surprise, it allows file transfer!!! That is good enough for me! Can it do Control-Alt-Delete by any chance? or reboot the remote system? I can't find this option~

Whatz the general experience with vista's firewall? Is it good enough? Will I be warn about application trying to access internet? Like how zonealarm does it. I never really use window firewall before~ I heard is decent and you have good control to which port you want to open...

 

Try my tweaking guide below....

 

I don't know about C-A-Del (I've only used remote desktop a few times, a while ago) but in any case you should be able to achieve a reboot or whatever you're trying to do through other means. Can't you reboot it using the remote system's start menu? (Or the "shutdown" command?) Run "taskmgr" if you want to get the task manager.

Umm... I use Vista's firewall, but I admit there are probably better ones out there if you want. I mean, it's perfectly fine for inbound blocking. Supposedly you can configure it for outbound blocking, and I tried to do this, but I couldn't get it to work right... actually, it just blocked everything... there are obviously provisions for making exceptions to allow some stuff through, but that's what I never was able to get working. Probably my fault somehow. But I read somewhere that even when outbound blocking is on and it's working, it doesn't pop up stuff like some other firewalls... it just blocks it until you add a rule to allow it. So other products may have better usability for outbound blocking... look through the threads in the security subforum for some recommendations.

 

Visa's firewall is fine. No need for another one.

 

Pay for (or 'hoist the Jolly Roger'):

Kaspersky Internet Security (upgrade from trendmicro due to slow boot with trend with vista64)
*see review http://www.pcpro.co.uk/labs/120448/kaspersky-antivirus-7.html
Tweakvista & Objectdock plus (from stardock - toogle off services for gaming; and set great tool/menubars)
Diskeeper 2008 (on the fly defragment, set and forget)
WinAsoRegistry cleaner (helps where crapcleaner falls over)
Office 2007 (best of the best, but google free star office is Excellent)
Acrobat8 (best of class)
Acronis11 & DiskDirector10 (quick safe backups and disk management)
Drivercleaner.net (for good Nvidia installs when chopping/changing drivers)
LogmeInPro (free was so good I bought the pro for the file transfer, excellent program when away from home)

and free



Imageburn (mcuh better than Nero and free. VERY IMPRESSED)
DVDfab (copies anything DVD throw at it)
Deskscapes (stardock)
Azureus (safe quick trips to 'the bay')
VistaBootPro (for Dual boot)
K-lite Codec pack (with mediaplayer classic, best player IMO)
Firefox 3 beta (awesome)
Fraps (for the play and benchmark of in-game GPU settings and driver comparison)
Skype (better than messenger for video in vista 64, MSN has logitech issues-can't do video)
CrapCleaner (simple, effective, free)
Itunes

Above is what I like and use, recommend them with Vista 64

*actually went retail for everything 'cept office and Acrobat and vista itself here