Alternative Browsers (NEW)
Miscellaneous Utilities (NEW)
Anti-Virus Software
Firewall
SpyWare Removal
Windows Update Help
Internet Speet Tests
Data Recovery

Alternative Browsers


THE best browser available. Scrap that crappy Internet Explorer, all it does is cause you pain and suffering (unless ofcourse you need to download and install Windows Updates, then you need it). But otherwise, hop on the Firefox bandwagon and free yourself from the most exploited browser (thats Internet Explorer) on the 'net.

Miscellaneous Utilities

Realplayer Alternative - REFUSE to install RealOne, it is a horrible application that stuffs your OS full of spyware. It is quite possibly the MOST intrusive program I've ever purposefully installed on my computer
Video Codecs - An ALL-IN-ONE video codec package. If you ever have trouble playing any kind of video file just install this codec pack and I can guarantee 99.99999% of the time it'll let you play that file.
Nimo Codec Pack - This takes care of the other 0.00001% of the codecs not found in the one above.
Move-On-Boot - Deletes pesky files in Windows XP when the OS tells you that you can't!
R-Studio - Recover files that Windows XP decided should be deleted for whatever reason. (eg .001 folders)
Stinky's MPEG-2 Codec - This codec lets you watch DVDs on your computer, and its completely free.

Free Anti-Virus Software

AVG Virus Scan - Free to use, and free to update for life. Don't ever worry about having to pay for a Norton or McAfee subscription again!
Panda Active Scan - Good to use if you don't like having to download any software, or worry about updating the virus data files. This runs through your web browser.

Free Firewall

ZoneAlarm - A completely free, easy to use, 100% secure firewall to help protect your computer from unwanted internet traffic. Helps stop worms and other viruses that rely on open ports to enter your computer.

SpyWare Removal

Ad-Aware - An easy to use Spy ware removal tool. Its good to have Spybot as well because they will each detect some programs that Ad-Aware will not.
Spybot: Search and Destroy - Also an easy to use spy ware removal tool. Its good to have Ad-Aware as well because it will each detect some programs that Spybot will not.

Windows Update Help

AutoPatcher.com - I haven't used this yet myself, but it is a great way to fully update a new system without running the risk of getting a virus in the middle of updating in the regular manner.
Free Windows Update CD - Microsoft will send you a CD with most of the updates for your Windows system, completely free, no shipping charges!!!

Internet Speed Tests

Broadband Reports
Toast
C/Net
Bandwidth Place

Data Recovery

(WARNING: Don't expect miracles. Run one of these programs as soon as humanly possible after you've deleted a file. The longer you wait the less likely you are to recover data. If a file has been overwritten, you're not getting it back.)

PC Inspector - Free and supposedly easy to use, I have not yet tested this product and hopefully I will never be in a situation to need one.
File Scavenger - Not free (demo/trial version available), but it has been recommended by a few trustworthy sources.