top 10 Essential programs for a comp?

[2disbetter]

I see a lot of people listing free anti-virus programs here. Avast and Avira both add a ton of overhead to your system (ok, a ton might be an exaggeration). MSE is part of the windows framework, and sits on top of the already in place firewall system.

Every other anti-virus program i've used is just too much. Couple MSE with a little bit internet surfing common sense, and you're golden. Through in a software firewall for some added program behavior control, and viola!

Also itunes is garbage but necessary if you have an i anything. But if you really care about your music, I would use MediaMonkey. It can sync your ipod, and is just an all around MUCH better music player and organizer than itunes.

2d

 

[FishAk]

Every other (then MSE) anti-virus program i've used is just too much.

Seriously?

On the system in your signature?

Either you have other troubles, or your tests were invalid. You should be able to run one of the other free AVs on top of MSE without even perceiving a difference in performance.

If we're talking a Pentium or something over the hill than ya- but not a modern build.

My GF is running a Pentium D with 3GB. I have MSE, Avira, Comodo HIPPS, and, for a couple weeks, Malwarebytes all active all at the same time. I can't stand to use the thing, but she hasn't noticed a slowdown. (at least it doesn't run backwards)

 

[realmike15]

Seriously?

On the system in your signature?

Either you have other troubles, or your tests were invalid. You should be able to run one of the other free AVs on top of MSE without even perceiving a difference in performance.

If we're talking a Pentium or something over the hill than ya- but not a modern build.

My GF is running a Pentium D with 3GB. I have MSE, Avira, Comodo HIPPS, and, for a couple weeks, Malwarebytes all active all at the same time. I can't stand to use the thing, but she hasn't noticed a slowdown. (at least it doesn't run backwards)

When it comes to having the least impact on system performance, I always felt NOD32 was the best. Kasperskey is usually considered to have one of the best detection rates, but more impact on system performance.

Of the free ones, I think Avast and Essentials is comparable to NOD32, while Avira is probably comparable Ksperskey. That's comparing System Performance Impact and Detection Rates only.

I definitely notice performance differences between say Avira and NOD32.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

ClassicShell (for Win7 systems)
BeyondCompare
Metapad
UltraVNC
7Zip
WinAmp
DirLister
BSplayer
ffdshow
Imgburn
PuTTY

 

[2disbetter]

Fish I believe you might have missed my point. It's not about what you perceive, but what is actually happening. Just because you can't detect a slow down doesn't mean it's not happening. If you're cool with that. Rock on.

What I was trying to say was if you have a car with an exhaust, why add a whole additional exhaust system? Sure it'll work, but it will decrease your engine performance (ok I admit this isn't the most accessible example. Hopefully you know about how a combustible engine works).

With regard to your GFs comp and your 3+ virus/malware programs running on it... may I ask why you are running that many?

For someone who knows how to use a computer and surf the internet, needing an anti-virus program is a completely optional thing to begin with. Needing 3 of them, means that you just might be doing something wrong.

2d

Seriously?

On the system in your signature?

Either you have other troubles, or your tests were invalid. You should be able to run one of the other free AVs on top of MSE without even perceiving a difference in performance.

If we're talking a Pentium or something over the hill than ya- but not a modern build.

My GF is running a Pentium D with 3GB. I have MSE, Avira, Comodo HIPPS, and, for a couple weeks, Malwarebytes all active all at the same time. I can't stand to use the thing, but she hasn't noticed a slowdown. (at least it doesn't run backwards)

 

[FishAk]

Needing 3 of them, means that you just might be doing something wrong.

Well ya, I'm in Ukraine, and on the same side of the router as my GF. She visit's Russian sites all the time, and also uses several cracked programs- including W7 (which thinks it's lagit). I've got her browser sandboxed, AppLocker set up, and someonewhocares in the hosts file. I haven't been hit yet, but still feel like I need all the protection I can get.

 

[Spicedaddy]

MS Security Essentials
WinRAR
Chrome
Handbrake
Adobe Reader
Flash
uTorrent
iTunes
MS Office
VMware

 

[postmark]

I just reinstalled a laptop for my brother in law. This is what I installed on top of W7 HP X64 SP1:

iTunes (he has i-devices so it's basically a must)
Firefox + ABP
Flash
7zip
foxit pdf viewer
windows live photo gallery

 

[HexiumVII]

I want to list a few things that aren't already list.

Search Everything (searches your whole freakin system in 2 seconds, and it scales to 10TB for me so far)
Ditto clipboard manager
Mindgems Folder Size
Dropbox

Also for all the other stuff everyone mentioned, get it all here auto installed: Ninite.com

 

[0roo0roo]

http://hp.vector.co.jp/authors/VA021385/
multipar

 

[pcunite]

Everybody has their fav's ... here is mine for Windows 7 x64

• ClassicShell
• FileSearchEX
• VLC media player
• Notepad2
• Microsoft Outlook 2007
• WinSplit Revolution
• KeePass
• OpenOffice
• WinSCP
• Gimp

 

[shortylickens]

I just had to reinstall Win7 a couple times cuz of hard drive issues.

For me it was:

- ESSENTIAL, in order -
1. Chrome, cuz everthing else is so much easier WITHOUT Internet Explorer.
2. Avira, cuz it works great and installs easy, no bullshit.
3. Video drivers, cuz watching those web pages scroll by in a slide show is irritating.
4. MS Updates and Mainboard drivers on disc, if needed.

- Necessary in any order -
5. ACDSee or Picasa
6. MS office
7. VLC
8. Foxit
9. Zune software (only for my WP7)

After that nothing needs to go on right away. Silverlight comes up automatically the first time I go to Netflix. Flash and Java support are good out of the box and I rarely need to install the latest versions right away. I like my Corel Photo Paint but it only gets used once in a while. Same with ripping and burning programs.

As much as I hate to say it, with modern conveniences its easier than ever to get a new OS up and running. Which will only encourage MS and others to force Cloud computing on us, cuz that makes it even more convenient.

 

[Todd33]

Microsoft Security Essentials
Chrome
OpenOffice
Paint.Net
FreeMat
Irfanview