Anti-spyware. Spyware and adware are just as nasty as viruses and can slow down the performance of your PC; Ad-Aware is recommended, but for Vista users there is a built-in one called "Windows Defender".

Firewall. A firewall prevents spyware, adware, and viruses from entering your computer and is the most important of the three defenses against malicious software Vista comes with a free firewall called "Windows Firewall".

Antivirus. Antivirus is very important for your computer to run smoothly without crashing or breaking down. In this sense, it is the anti-virus software that enables all other software to work. When you get a new computer, it is recommended that you first download a virus checking software and update it regularly; McAfee is an effective option.

Gimp. If you like to create and edit photos, Gimp is a great free alternative to Paint Shop, with almost the same features. It's great software for budding artists, students, and web developers, but it also has a use for anyone who likes to tweak their photos to remove annoying blemishes or add funky backgrounds.

Spotify. Spotify is one of the latest software that is trending on the Internet, and rightfully so. Unlike other music players, Spotify allows you to search and stream songs directly from the Internet without the need for downloading. This means that hundreds of songs can be listened to for free and legally.

Windows Messenger. the king of instant messaging, this software is great for keeping in touch with friends.

Skype: Skype is another cost-effective software that allows you to talk to your friends and colleagues around the world for free. It is essential for video conferencing, and you can also call landlines at a discounted rate. Who needs a phone?

Acrobat Reader. E-books, instructions, newsletters, etc. are all available as PDF files, so you'll need Acrobat Reader to view them (I also recommend DoPDF, which lets you save Word documents as PDF files).

Ask and Record Toolbar. This toolbar is one of the most useful programs you can download, and has a variety of functions. The fact that it runs as a toolbar rather than a stand-alone program is a concern, but the easy-to-use features make it one of the few worthwhile programs. The main function of this software is to record sounds and videos that are played from your computer. This means that if you find a video you like on YouTube, you can save it to your computer as an FLV file and watch it whenever you want, or you can record the sound as an MP3 file. What's more, this toolbar also functions as a file converter, allowing you to convert FLV and MP3 to almost any format more easily and reliably than many programs designed for that purpose. And best of all, it's free!

Open Office. Basically, it offers Microsoft Office for free, allowing you to open and edit files in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other office formats. given the high price of Microsoft Office, this is a sensible download. Given the high price of Microsoft Office, this is a wise download.
Disclaimer: Information on this site is in no way meant to replace the advice of a professional. Please ensure to fact check and acquire professional help regarding all information on this website.