What programs are must have?

Avast for antivirus Comodo for Firewall Spybot for Spyware Firefox for web browser VLC for any media and music file Thats pretty much the basic stuff, the rest depends on what you mainly use your pc for.

You would need to install an antivirus program first....If you want a free one, go for avast! After that, you would need a new browser, preferrably firefox or opera....Then, you would need a multi-image-format viewer like Irfanview and also ffdshow codec for viewing different video formats...

You will probably want to install some type of flash player so that you can see moving pictures and listen to music that some websites require. You may also like to install Adobe Acrobat to be able to read some documents.

In addition to system programs, you might want a download manager, maybe a cd copying program to back up your cd's, and perhaps a photo editor program...

First of all update all your windows security patches.Then there is a list of softwares that you must have on you pc , here they are - microsoft office,imternet messangers,updated web browser,adobe acrobat,updated media player,updated antivirus tool,updated firewall,compression /decompressions tool like winzip or winrar,download manager like DAP/Getright/IDM etc etc.These are the tools that you must ahve :) . Other than this I always keep advanced dictionary tool in my pc .

Listed in order of importance. 1.) Mozilla Firefox 2.) Up-to-Date Drivers for your hardware 3.) Anti-Virus (Preferably NOD32) 4.) Adaware SE Personal or Adaware 2007 5.) Spybot: Search and Destroy Hope this helps!

Some of the programs that I find to be a must have are those programs which best help to protect and keep the system running flawlessly. I do not recomment using Norton Antivirus or Kaspersky for there are known compatibility issues that exists when using with Windows. What I do recomment however is Windows Defender, which is an excellent program, in combination with System Mechanics. With this combination of software, you cannot go wrong- trust me.

V - the programs that you need to install on your computer should be dependant on what you want to use your computer for..... it should also be dependant on what os you are using. The advise to get a anti virus program is solid - but I would recommend something better then freeware. My personal pref is Trendware. I like it because it doesnt seem to bog my computer down like norton does. Then I would review the programs that were loaded when windows was reinstalled. There is always some junk. Also, Spybot is a great program that removes adware (see cnet review on cnet.com) Wall