Just wondering what free essential tools and if I was missing any. Stressing "Free" and Essential.

Looking for the most effective and most popular.

Antivirus AVG
Firewall ZoneAlarm
Spyware Spybot, Adaware, Spyblaster
Stop Listening Nonebar
a2 Malware
Crap Cleaner Cleans Internet Temp, cookies, history
Irfanview Picture Editor

Depends on what you call "essenial"...I see you've got quite a few...I'm
using a couple of things that I find invaluable...a desktop (see thru)
Calendar : http://www.iki.fi/~rainy/

And a Startup utility : www.windowsstartup.com

In addition there's a Clipboard helper that I couldn't live without since I copy a lot of things on the Internet :

www.cyber-matrix.com

All free.

To supplement the paid programs and utilities, all three boxes have:

Ad-Aware
SpyBot Search and Destroy
Spyware Blaster
a2
IE-SPYAD
Script Sentry
MS Antispy
Meta Products Download Express
L-Clock
Iconoid

Tom

Startup Control Panel by Mike Lin - http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml, Or Startup Cop if you can find it without subscription. Either is good for controlling programs that run at startup.

Autosizer or a similar program that autosizes Windows' windows, particularly IE windows when you get tired of trying to make them stick at your preferred size. http://www.southbaypc.com/AutoSizer/

Everest Home Edition diagnostic and bench marking tool - http://www.lavalys.com/products.php?lang=en

EndItAll and/or EndItAll2 used to close most all running programs. It might still be found free of charge but may require a "subscription to PC Mag,
AppSwat to close individual programs - http://www.lossepladsen.dk/all4you/TheLostWorld/AppSwat.php

YankeeClipper - a far better clipboard http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/Yankee-Clipper-III-Download-1084.html

IconFinder - find the original icons for the site or program
http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/IconFinder/3000-2195_2-10126115.html?tag=lst-0-

Iconoid - a desktop icon manager - background colors, transparency, location, etc. http://www.sillysot.com/

TweakUI from Microsoft and X-setup Pro from http://www.xteq.com/ which is a very powerful Tweaker that Shelly may be along shortly to warn you about. It's very much worth having, in my opinion, just make sure you know what the changes are and how to undo them before you make them.

OK, that's enough for starters.

Jim.

Just tried "Yankee Clipper", Jim...you're right, it's better! Thanks...

These are the free ones I can't live without:

Avast AV
Sygate PF
Spyware Blaster
Spyware Search and Destroy
Adaware SE
Yankee Clipper
WordWeb
ScreenHunter 4.0
Irfanview
Mozilla
DiskKeeper Lite
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Winzip

EndItAll linky ! :-)

http://www.compu-docs.com/links.htm

Wordweb

http://wordweb.info/

This one is not free, but IMO essential.


Servant Salamander - File manager

An excellant application IMHO. Shareware.

http://www.altap.cz/salam_en/

What is Servant Salamander 2.0?
# It is a file manager for Windows 95, 98, Millenium, NT 4.0, 2000, and XP.

Why should Servant Salamander 2.0 be the one you choose?
# It is small, fast, stable, and user-friendly.
# It is similar to some widely used MS-DOS commanders like Norton Commander.
# It supports drag&drop, right-click context menus, and clipboard operations with files.
# It allows you to browse network drives without mapping (it supports UNC paths).

What are main features of Servant Salamander 2.0?
# Two independent panels with directory listings.
# Open plug-in architecture.
# Directory listings always up to date.
# Hotkeys for all functions.
# Internal support for ZIP, RAR, ARJ, CAB, ACE, and TAR/GZIP archives.
# Support for creating self-extracting archives.
# The ability to view content of files (text, html, over 40 picture formats, mp3, etc.).
# Command line for executing arbitrary commands through the system shell.
# Support for long filenames, file type associations, and compression on NTFS volumes.
# Internal viewer for up to 2 GB files with text and hex modes.
# Easy handling even with files over 4 GB.
# Changing case of filenames.
# Very fast file and directory search.
# User menu for all selected files and directories.
# Online HTML help.



An older, and less capable, thought still good - freeware version:

Servant Salamander 1.52
http://www.altap.cz/download.html#salrel

Other necessary programs.

Mozilla
VIM editor
LeechFTP
Locate


Other useful programs.

Eudora or other email
Win32Pad - notepad replacement
Compression program of choice
IrfanView or other picture viewer

Renaming program of choice
Renamer, Lupas, or other

Media Players:
Winamp | Media Player Classic | 1by1

Downloader:
Net Transport (or any other one one may prefer)

Utilities:
InCtrl | Dupeless
ExplorerXP
Password Corral
CLCL clipboard

Devices:
Aida32/Everest | Quicktime | ZoneAlarm
Acrobat Reader | MBProbe

A router. Every broadband connection should be behind one.

Agent Ransack. A better file search utility. Microsoft's file search blows.

Of course, the real essentials include a firewall, antivirus, and miscellaneous spyware tools.