ThemBid.com

“21. Install Acrobat Reader”

I would recommend Foxit Reader (http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php). It is a free, lightweight alternative.

By Ray on Aug 28, 2007

You forgot Limewire! I usually do that before Windows update.

By Jay on Aug 28, 2007

Checked out 3GP Converter’s site as per your recomendation but it doesn’t look like it does .mp4? or does the ipod play 3gp format and I’m just ignorant? hmmm

By Jay on Aug 28, 2007

you know after reading through that.. and reading all the numbers of installed apps aside from windows.. I install all (minus a few/Plus a few) of those applications. It never really occurued to me how many there were..lol. it is so routine for me now.. my favorite automated process, it distracts me from youtube. Good read

By Mike N. on Aug 28, 2007

So much easier with MacOS or Linux.

By ChanceChat.com on Aug 28, 2007

Spybot I dont install anymore I run Mcafee 851 which is spyware and antivirus in one. Limewire is a no-no unless you want to be compromised. Any kind of p2p app(Azerus!) like this i try to terminal into a slower machine and do it there, Issolation is a good thing and virtualization is even better.

But AIM needs to be installed for me, 1ClickVNC and of course my video codecs from KLite Codec Pack.

And if there is no hardware firewall - Windows Firewall must be On or replaced with any port scanning program.

AskTheAdmin.Com Needs to be my homepage as well :).

By AskTheAdmin on Aug 28, 2007

I don’t care for AVG myself, Antivir has much cleaner displays, and I feel outperforms AVG. Most other choices I agree with.

I install k-lite an encoder pack that has every known codec to man (well it’s played everything I need so far).

I’ve gone with GIMP as well…, photoshop is too expensive, and it’s a good enough piece of software that I’d feel guilty about pirating.

By Reid on Aug 28, 2007

I just did the same thing on XP and kept a list as well:

http://www.2sparrows.org/blog/2007/08/27/215/

That was just my essentials, and I already have some bloat as I’ve tried out new things. I’ll be getting an imac soon and will keep a list for that as well.

By Sean on Aug 28, 2007

Here’s a open source utility that can help you do most of these things automatically the next time you re-install the windows.
http://ping.windowsdream.com/dvdgen.html

I havn’t tried it yet, I primarily use linux, but I’m planning to to help with the friends and families PC’s.

hope this helps.

By segull on Aug 28, 2007

Sounds like a good idea to have a process. I had to do a full system restart and after the 3rd time in about a month, I moved all set-ups (avg, zone alarm, spybot, etc) to an external hard drive. I also downloads a whole bunch of portable apps on my ipod. Nice post!

By Jennifer on Aug 28, 2007

1.) Install Windows
2.) Grab drivers if needed.
3.) Update Windows
4.) Install Opera
5.) Install Pidgin (aka Gaim)
6.) Install university e-mail client

From there, I install whatever I find that I need when I need it. Typically this includes MS Office, codec pack (I prefer Vista Codec Pack or CCCP), Adobe Reader/Acrobat/whateverthehellit’scalledthesedays, WinRAR, and ISORecorder (in no particular order). Other programs get installed on an as-needed basis, including CCleaner and HJT! I prefer to run a very lean machine whenever possible.

By Oooska on Aug 28, 2007

My reformats go as such.

1. Install OS X

2. Use

By bluemidget1 on Aug 28, 2007

yep, so much easier on Mac OS X. You can re-install without loosing all your data or applications.

By Vikram on Aug 28, 2007

1. Do all that
2. Then image using Norton Ghost or Acronis True Image.
3. In six months, restore image so you can accomplish all that in 30 seconds
4. then update stuff that needs updating
5. Repeat at step 2

By Fred on Aug 28, 2007

I don’t understand the article. Usually after a Windows “re-format”, I install the programs I had on my machine before the “re-format”. Why would I install all of your programs? Also, it is not possible to “re-format” a hard drive. You can “format” the hard drive and then re-install Windows though.

By Nick Fessel on Aug 28, 2007

After a re-FORMAT?

Linux.

By no on Aug 28, 2007

Here’s the steps I followed:

1: reformat and re-install
2: six months later, reformat and re-install
3: six months later, reformat and re-install
4: six months later, reformat and re-install
5: six months later, reformat and re-install
6: Got a mac

By Kevin on Aug 28, 2007

First I download all the drivers and software that I need and double check that I have everything and make sure I have saved them on my partition that I use for storage.

Then I make a back up of my program settings by copying this folder.
C:\Documents and Settings\*user name*\Application Data
and save them on my storage partition.
Make sure that you can see hidden files or you won’t be able to do this.

Open and window Tools > Folder Options > View > Show hidden files and folders.

Then I do these steps:
Install windows without being connected to the internet, once installed I install these in this order.
1.) Drivers
2.) firefox http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/
3.) AutoPatcher http://www.autopatcher.com/
4.) Winrar
5.) Foxit http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php
6.) CCleaner http://www.ccleaner.com/
7.) JkDefrag GUI http://www.emro.nl/freeware/
8.) Nero 7 Premium
9.) K-Lite Mega Pack http://www.codecguide.com/download_mega.htm
10.) OpenOffice http://www.openoffice.org/
11.) Comodo Firewall http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/
12.) Avast! Home http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html
13.) Spyware Terminator http://www.spywareterminator.com/
14.) Spyware Blaster http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
15.) Spybot http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

Then after that I connect to the net and update any software that needs updates.

Then I install the rest of my software, at this point I don’t care what order I install them in as I have setup the importing stuff.
The software I install now are the ones here http://pinguy.infogami.com/blog/3a34 with a thumbs up image next to them.

Now I just tweak windows so it’s setup how I want it, the first find I do is to make sure that “My Documents” are not stored on the same partition as windows, you can change this by going to:

Start button > Right click “My Documents” > Properties > then change the Target > Move.

Once you have done that fire up JK Defrag and make sure you the screen saver mode has been installed.

Now I make the text look better.

Right click on the desktop > Properties > Appearance > Effects > second drop down menu change to ClearType.

While still in Display Properties I setup the screen Saver.

select “avast! antirus” then Settings > Screen saver > JkDefragScreenSaver.

Once thats done I go into safe mode (Hit F8 as the PC starts up) then copy the Application Data folder back to into windows.

Then thats pretty much it, its not complete but over the next couple weeks of using my computer I will do all the little bits of tweaking that need doing.

By Pinguy on Aug 28, 2007

Sorry for the poor grammar in that post but I have been drinking.

By Pinguy on Aug 28, 2007

15 minute install with a couple of mins updating(20Mb bb)followed by another 5 mins dealing with intrusion prevention etc and lastly ….10-15 minutes installing the extra software i use that is`nt already installed by default.

Can you tell what it is yet???

What else but Linux Ubuntu:)

By maddad on Aug 28, 2007

37. Install WinSCP3

maybe try Secure SSH
http://www.ssh.com/

By ravenze on Aug 28, 2007

Maybe it’s kind of late to provide this tip … but in the past I found it useful to create an archived image with … let’s say Norton Ghost … just in case of a future re-format/re-install.
It works like this:
1. Format/Install everything on C:
2. Create image of C:
Whenever in need of a re-format just load the image with Norton Ghost (there are other programs that do this) and voila (5 minutes to a clean windows reinstall + all the minimal software).
The only downside of this is the size of the C: image (which can get pretty big depending on your software list).

By Dever on Aug 28, 2007

Can’t stand the mac-krishna horde. Yeah, you paid X4 on a computer and need to show your love to the apple. Next time learn how to use a PC and you won’t have to reinstall windows. If you install the updates and use good third-party software you don’t even need anti-virus!

By ppvi on Aug 28, 2007

maddad I love Linux my fav is Sabayon Linux http://www.sabayonlinux.org/ and I believe it’s the OS of the future as Vista is such a poor OS.

But the WiFi suport in linux is so poor I haven’t found a distro that I can use with a WPA2 network even if I use Ndiswrapper.

There is still more Freeware and Open Source software for windows then there is for linux.
XP/vista comes on most PC’s anyway so you are not paying any more for it. What I mean by paying any more is most people that run Linux on a PC run it on a PC that has had Window installed on it.

As long as you look after windows (doing a defrag ect.) it’s no harder to look after then any other OS, all you have to do is make an image back up every once in a while and install that if any thing goes wrong (as long as you keep “My Documents” on a different partition).

I have had more luck getting a damaged Windows PC fixed then I have with a Linux one.

By Pinguy on Aug 28, 2007

I don’t know how you can go through this whole routine, installing what you do, and call yourself a minimalist. I really doubt you absolutely need all that extra software. Try again when you come up with something truly simplified and “minimal”.

When I read that long list, I was put in just the right mood to agree with the Mac users posting here. You complicate your computer and your life too much, imo.

By Gord on Aug 28, 2007

I don’t think this list is very minimalist, but you look like you do far more development than I do, so fair enough.

Try VLC instead of installing codecs such as DivX into Windows Media Player, it’s far superior.

You might also be interested in something called GIMPshop. It uses the GIMP engine, but re-organises the menus so it looks like Adobe Photoshop. Far more useful than GIMP’s idiotically organised mishmash of ugly functions and commands.

By Super Jamie on Aug 28, 2007

after firefox deleted all my bookmarks during an upgrade I started reasearching a bit more, it’s not coming back on my computer. Not only did it screw up my collection of favorite sites, it also appears to have a rather poor record from a security standpoint when benchmarked against other browsers.

Also it seems that there are several other browsers that are faster, including Mozilla. Firefox can take a flying leap as far as I’m concerned

By sturmey on Aug 28, 2007

Uninstall windows… load Ubuntu(linux)… save hundreds of dollars and lots of headache (if you know what you are doing.. do you?)

By Brandon on Aug 28, 2007

This is my guide which basically covers everything.

http://docs.google.com/View?docID=dcsf8qfg_26gvbz54&revision=_latest

By Neil on Aug 28, 2007

I just recently reformatted. ah so fresh. Unfortunatly this drive is about to go out. Vista told me that it was going to die, so in disbelief I naturally reformatted. Didn’t help. Anyways here’s what I installed. In no particular order (except the windows updates):

Windows Update
Drivers
Filezilla
pspad
apache
php
mysql
paint.net
itunes
mplayer
ccleaner
ms office
virtual clone drive
agent ransack
7-zip
firefox (various plugins)
Pidgin
Bioshock demo

From there it’s what ever becomes necessary.

By Josh on Aug 28, 2007

I’d have to agree with most of these comments. This doesn’t seem very minimalist. Personally I spend the most time on the internet, then word docs, and finally music/movies. Other than this triumvirate I do little else on the computer (except the occasional game). Since internet is the most important thing I use FEBE (Firefox Extension Backup Extension) to backup my COMPLETE fx profile. So all I need to do is install firefox install febe and restore my profile and thats it, I have my old fx back. Next openoffice is a peice of cake. And finally itunes and vlc. Other than that I too have about 50 different types of software I use (such as ccleaner, anti-virus, utilities, etc.). So overall other than the Windows aspect of it (actual install + updates) my re-install doens’t take all that long.

By Abhiroop on Aug 28, 2007

Install Ubuntu
gksudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras
done.

By brokencrystal on Aug 28, 2007

Okay this here is a very long post, but its worth reading. After your done going through all this your computer will run so amazingly smooth and fast, that you’ll want to jump up and dance.

Seriously Check This Out:

|
|
\ | /
\ | /
-

1) install Windows xp sp2

(sp2 is a must without your bound to get viruses, so get the update if you don’t have the cd)

update can be found here:
http://www.softwarepatch.com/windows/xpsp2.html

2) have a backed up cd with all the essential programs; mine has AVG Free Ad-aware, all of my drivers, HostsMan (if your into host file editing) etc.

3) now for the settings and bookmarks and so on you can use the windows xp file settings transfer wizard found in >Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>

4) A much better way to get all of your settings and preferences for every program is to go to your Documents and Settings folder> “Your Username” Folder. You can find loads of stuff in here. Contacts, and Favorites can be copied from here. In addition, if you can go to “Tools” in the menu bar and click “Folder Options” at the bottom, and then go to the “View” tab you can choose whether or not you want to show your hidden folders. Do this by making sure the “Show Hidden Files And Folders” option is selected. Now you can comeback to Documents And Settings>”Your Username” Folder.

There’s a folder in there that’s called “Application Data”. Inside you’ll find that Windows XP neatly organizes the settings of all your programs by their company name. Copy whichever program company you want to use onto your backup cd (like “mozilla” ) and then replace it with the new settings folder in the same spot on your newly formatted computer in “Application” data after you install that program (in my case; firefox). You’ll find all of your original bookmarks, plug-ins and preferences in your program. This method works for all other programs too, for example Typing Master Pro.

5) Very Noticeable Speed Up; Right Click “My Computer” and go to properties, click on the Advanced Tab. Under the Performance Section, click settings. You’ll see a list of settings selected to make windows look better. Most of these i personally don’t notice when i turn off, other than the huge performance gain. For a real “minimalist” approach make sure all options are selected off, or select “Adjust For Best Performance”.

I personally have everything selected off except; Smooth Edges of Screen Fonts, Use Common Tasks In Folders, and Visual Styles. Trust me this makes a difference

Note: if you don’t have “Use Visual Styles And Windows And Buttons” selected your computer will look like windows 98, that being said much faster. It’s up to you what you care more about, Performance or Style.

6) Go to http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/OptimizeXP.html
and feel free to make your computer amazingly fast by spending some time tweaking the hell out of it, using a website made by an incredible “techie” genius who actually knows what he’s talking about.

7) A lot of people including the above website tell you to turn off system restore, but i would advise you not to. It takes up some hard drive space, but other than that it really doesn’t dog down on performance. It has saved my ass many times including 3 months ago when I lost my “Apartheid”, and “How To Kill A Mocking Bird” essays for my Grade 10 English Class.

Install Speed-X from
http://www.myportal.pl/en/.
A lot of people criticize RAM optimizers, of which I personally do not like, but this RAM optimizer is amazing. It’s extremely simple; turn it on and leave, and it saves immense amounts of RAM and prevents system crashes when programs hog RAM. It also takes practically no system RAM to use.

I have never been able to find a better RAM optimizer, if you can find one help a brown 15 yr old out and let me know.

Hint Hint for permanent RAM optimizing go to
http://mscracks.com/get.php?id=280655

9) Install my toolbar “Usmanistan Toolbar”. I’m not spamming you with crap. this is my toolbar and I wouldn’t let you guys download a program in my name “usman” if it wasn’t good. If you dont like it get rid of it, but it makes life much easier.

It has an e-mail notifier that auto-logins your accounts so you never have to enter a password again

It has weather for any city in the world

It has a world radio toolbar where you listen to radio from anywhere over the world “Check Out Virgin Groove”

It has built in search plugins of YouTube MetaCafe Torrentspy, etc.etc.

Best of all it has links to make Google into a better version of napster

and more..

starting to sound like spam crap… sorry try it out at http://usmanistan.ourtoolbar.com/

10) Get the best defragmenter ever PerfectDisk. When that baby runs your computer travels at the speed of light. I used to use Diskeeper which is also good. But Perfect Disk takes a lot less space with A LOT more features and it is fairly easy to use.

Note: Once you have this program; go to >Configuration (in the menu bar)>Drive Properties and select the “off line Defrag Settings” tab. Make sure everything is checked and click ok. what this does is defragment your system files during every start-up. The first few times might take a while but afterwards it takes less than a minute and really makes a difference
—————————————————————————————

Thats it.
Damn!! That was a long post i spent 37 minutes on it. I need to go sleep it’s 2:17am and i have start going to school in a week

and for all my muslim brothers
Assalamualaikum

By drames on Aug 28, 2007

Sorry Forgot,

11) For Limewire Users, use frostwire. Its MUCH better. It has no spyware/ad-aware. It has all the features of Limewire PRO. Identical interface other than a blue theme. It’s free.

Download here:
http://www.frostwire.com/

PS: I learned a lot of this stuff from Jimmy Ruska’s amazing site and blog JimmyR.com. Visit his site……NOW!

By drames on Aug 28, 2007

Another thing, Use VLC. It’s much better than trying to download a bunch of codecs when getting that annoying codec error in Windows Media Player. This is because it already has all of the codecs in it. You can download it here:

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-windows.html

If your gonna be a butthead and download codecs anyway download XP Codec Pack from

http://www.xpcodecpack.com/

By drames on Aug 29, 2007

Ubuntu

By Ugly American on Aug 29, 2007

I used to go through reformat-reinstall cycles myself. But, now I have found the perfect solution to that. You need at least 2 paritions for this. After the first format/re-install:

Set My Documents to point to the other (non-system) partition
Install XSetup (or TweakUI) and change the Application Data folder to a folder in the non-sys partition.
Install your minimum set of apps. Do a windows update. Do AV updates.
Install Acronis TrueImage (or any other good drive imaging software).
Defrag system partition
Create an image of the system partition and keep it safe (write to DVD).

And the next time you need your “clean” system again, restore your drive image. There’s no need to reformat and no need to reinstall anything. And the best thing is since you have App Data folder intact, the moment you open your apps start working as if nothing had happened. For example, if you use Opera, you’ll find that even the tabs you left open before the image-restoration, are reopened when you launch it after. Takes 15 minutes. And I haven’t formatted my C: in over 2 years.

By Sameera on Aug 29, 2007

If you really want to re-format your PC every six months, then I recommend you take a look at vLite (http://www.vlite.net/) and other programs like it. It allows you to install programs and updates on to an installation disc so that these programs are installed automatically for you when you use the disc. It can’t do everything on your list but it can make things a lot easier.

By Sid Roberts on Aug 29, 2007

Did like the vmware converter tip, hadn’t heard of it before.

Azureus to utorrent and probably a firewall needed in there.

Good list cheers

By Steve on Aug 29, 2007

No Adblock Plus and Filterset.G on the list of firefox plugins!?!? After a fresh install firefox is one of the first things I install. Before I do any web navigation (downloading newest versions of applications such as Pidgin, Eclipse, etc…) I install Adblock Plus and Filterset.g. I find it’s a necessity in today’s world.

By Randy Aldrich on Aug 29, 2007

When I was still using Windows, this is what I did:

DO NOT SETUP INTERNET CONNECTION BEFORE INSTALLING SOME TOOLS…

I think that’s your bigger mistake here.

1) Install a Fire-Wall
2) Install an Anti-Virus.
3) Try to get the latest virus database, tools, drivers, etc. from Internet with another trusted computer. Put everything on a CD-ROM or an USB Drive. Then install everything on the newly installed Windows machine.

And last, very last, setup the internet connection.

Otherwise your tool list is bigger than most people, I think.

By Gian on Aug 29, 2007

That’s “minimalist”?

By z on Aug 29, 2007

“18. Install Office 2007
Downloaded for free from 1and1.com for my Exchange account”

I’ll bet you really mean Outlook 2007, not Office 2007.

By Jim on Aug 29, 2007

AVG Antivirus Free actually does not include spyware protection. For that you need AVG AntiMalware, which unfortunately is not free, but it is only $45 for 2 years. Just an FYI.

By Matt on Aug 29, 2007

You call yourself a minimalist?? It appears you have your “Linux” prompt but you don’t use it. You can install OpenSSH via Cygwin, why install PuTTY and WinSCP? Why install Office 2K7 and OpenOffice together?

I suggest these additional software: ffdshow in place of DivX; Real Player Alternative (with Media Player Classic); FlashBlock; AdBlock; FlashMute; CCCleaner.

By Oy vey on Aug 29, 2007

Install XP with SP2. Add any drivers XP can’t figure out.

Install VMWare Workstation.

Load virtuals that actually do the work (even the crappy Linux ones).

Total time 1 hour.

By Joe on Aug 29, 2007

Gotta go with Kaspersky Antivirus, all else looks great!

By Wasatch Software on Aug 29, 2007

First of all, what do you do that you need to re-install every six months? I’ve got a 2 year old install of XP going strong. I keep my installed programs to a minimum and use it only for Photoshop and a handful of games. I don’t install all kinds of random stuff off the internet, or even from my own programs. Keep it to the minimum.

Second, thanks for the idea of making a list so that I can use something like that in the future for whenever I *do* have to do a reinstall.

Third, seeing this list shows me that the reason people think installing Linux is hard is that they’ve never installed Windows. I’d say that Windows is slightly harder. At least if I compare installing XP to installing any version of Fedora or Ubuntu, the Linux distros are prettier and more helpful than MS’s ncurses type install.

By ERM on Aug 30, 2007

@pinguy

No doubt theres more free software for Windows than there is for Linux but the 20,000+ apps in Synaptic are more than we could ever need.Anything that is`nt there is only a clicked deb or added repo away.:)

We still keep an XP drive around on one of our machines,just in case the kids ever want it as well as for my own tinkering around between OS`s but none of us have really used XP since the second week with Ubuntu last year.
I`d only used a pc(Win) at all for 4 months prior to discovering Ubuntu so it was`nt tooo hard to let go of Windows if truth be told.
In fact it was extremely easy:)

I can run Windows just as well as i can run Linux too in reality and as long as you apply a bit of common sense most problems are usually avoidable..

The only problem though is that no matter how well i can ever get Windows running it`s just never going to be running quite as well as Linux ??;)

Vista lasted all of two months on my 2nd drive before it and it`s shiney black box were dumped in the outside cupboard,besides the rest of my pc junk.
I`m thinking of giving it to a friend who`s son is apparently pestering her to upgrade to Vista or buy a new pc.
I`m not sure i`d feel like i was actually doing her a favour though.

And whats worse is that she said she`d give us it back when she does eventually buy a new machine next year…

By maddad on Aug 30, 2007

I use utorrent instead of Azureus, got to have Google Talk along with Skype, and Visual Studio 2005 is always installed pretty quick. Other than that pretty similar list.

By conmulligan on Aug 30, 2007

I would love to find a comprehensive list of movie codecs. Seems like i have to keep downloading random codecs from shady websites before I can get some movies to work. Anyone have any suggestions?

By Me on Aug 31, 2007

I don’t understand why you install Alexa.. It’s known spyware

http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2004-062410-3624-99

By winksmosis on Sep 1, 2007

blargh, not adobe reader, I go for foxit

By melissa on Sep 1, 2007

Wow, a nice and lengthy list indeed! But why not just use slipstreaming/unattended tools like nLite or RyanVM to integrate updates, programs, and settings (Win XP only). There’s also vLite for Windows Vista. They make reformatting a snap! Just pop in the CD or DVD you created with those tools, get something to do for half an hour, and your Windows installation is complete with all your programs and settings ready to go!

By Kevin on Sep 1, 2007

You know, after reading the article and all the responses, I’ve come to the following conclusion: If an operating system needs this and so many other articles written to explain how to install it and includes steps for reperforming these steps every six months, it must not be that great an operating system. You’d think at this point in our technological advancement, these things would be a little more straight forward. I guess they are with Macs and *nix…

By steven on Sep 1, 2007

Hi All,

Personally, after I got my new Vista system, I formatted the HDD, then installed Linux. Linux Mint to be exact.

JJMacey aka Adler

By JJMacey on Sep 1, 2007

How foolish. Why not make a clean image after you have your utilities and necessary apps installed then just dump the image back to the disc when you are convinced your install is crapped?

By SH on Sep 1, 2007

I just downgraded a friends laptop from Vista to XP for him.
After the usual fun installing all of drivers (I hate windows) then I installed:

1. Windows update then AVG anti virus and Zone alarm firewall
oh and CCleaner, spybot and adaware

In no particular from here on
2. Firefox with adblock, fasterfox, better gmail/gcal/greader
3. Activate quicklaunch bar, switch back to windows classic interface.
4. Install GAIM, skype
5. audacity, juice for podcasts and musikbox as itunes replacement
5. Foxit reader rather than adobe reader
6. uTorrent (cant stand azureus)
7. Photoshop cs3

Needed to have XPCDburner and magiciso (anyone know a decent open source alternative to this?)
oh and ms office and open office

painful process all up

By Tim on Sep 1, 2007

good guide, i prefer to do an image to restore but it is always useful to try other person’s programs…only why everytime there is a post on windows (xp , vista ) i must read lots of posts sayng “linux is better”? (or osx) everyone have his OS choices, not all winows users are unaware of other os but most prefer windows, point, if linux or osx are so better, then in the future they gain more and more market, for now they have say 6-7% in the future we’ll see.

By Marco on Sep 1, 2007

What about installing FFDShow instead of the official DivX trash?

By fosk on Sep 2, 2007

I use many of the applications already listed, but will mention one additional:

UpdatePatrol - http://www.updatepatrol.com

Saves me hours each week. It’s a web page watcher, notifying you when a change is detected.

Rgds,
Paul

By Paul Barfield on Sep 2, 2007

I thought Daemon Tools contained spyware or something similar after a certain version — true?

By blögga on Sep 2, 2007

Here is my list, in order

recovery disk from Compaq
XP SP1
XP SP2
windows update (install everything)
anti-vir
anti-vir update
ccleaner
then remove everything i don’t want
jkdefrag
defrag the system

Opera
skype
notepad2

By AndyW on Sep 2, 2007

”
“21. Install Acrobat Reader”

I would recommend Foxit Reader (http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php). It is a free, lightweight alternative.

”

I would suggest Sumatra PDF (blog.kowalczyk.info/software/sumatrapdf/). Its even lighter.

By Sid on Sep 2, 2007

Fedora 7, definitely. You won’t ever format it again, I assure!

By Tony Stark on Sep 2, 2007

You could also use PING (http://ping.windowsdream.com) to make a Ghost-like image of your system when it’s OK, and restore it later wherever you want. PING supports PXE, bootable CD/DVD/USB, and can backup / restore using the network. It’s an opensource tool.

By Natan on Sep 2, 2007

I used to format and reinstall Windows every so often, but I haven’t had to re-install Windows in over two years. Between Windows XP and having it configured just so, my machine has been stable and fast this whole time. I sold my laptop and promised to format and re-install without all my stuff. I hope I can remember how.

One thing I would do different from the above process, however, is to do a little prep-work. I don’t know that it’s possible with Vista SP1, but I have an XP Pro install disc with SP2 already slipstreamed into the install files so that I minimize the post-install patching. I also like to have antivirus with updated definitions and a firewall on hand to install **before** turning on my internet connection. If you have a router (or even separate hardware firewall), you can probably get away with connecting to the internet first, but why take the chance?

All these folks who mention ease of installation and longevity of other operating systems are still comparing with XP pre SP2 or earlier Windows systems. They’re also glossing over all the tweaks and apps they do/install to make their operating system work the way they want, instead of the defaults.

By William Furr on Sep 2, 2007

NB: Just did my Windows XP reinstall on a 3 year old Dell Dimension. Three times. Over one weekend. Oy. At least on Dell boxes, before you pull the pin on your reinstall, go to the website and download the essential drivers for your LAN card and video - things that will be unaccessible to you unless you happen to have the original install disks someplace handy (and happen to know on which CD the @#(*&$ drivers are!).

– Second piece of advice: have another internet-connected PC available to you.

– Final, and perhaps the most revolutionary note from a 20-year plus PC user - Buy a Mac!

By Ben Ziff on Sep 2, 2007

This would be a good case to put InstallPad to work.
Great tool for installing software on a fresh Windows install

Just try it.

http://www.installpad.com/

By Edu on Sep 2, 2007

acrobat sucks.
foxitreader rules!

By rodrigotrovao on Sep 2, 2007

Here is my list, with lots of notes (and most of the software is free): http://www.flickr.com/photos/slolane/449956578/

By Angela on Sep 3, 2007

I try to limit my software usage to Open Source or free - no sense in paying for any more than you have to. Several commenters have said that it is critical to update your system before connecting to the net for updates - kind of a catch-22 situation. One of the best tools I’ve found for applying updates and patches after an OS reinstall is ctupdate - get it here. Also, once you have the OS up and running, try these links to tweak Windows Vista or Windows XP. They were a great help to me.

By Casey Stamper on Sep 3, 2007

Up until recently, I used windows (Xp and then Vista) and I kept installing various linux distros under vmware, and on old junky machines, but I finally realized that there was no reason not to switch to ubuntu, and in fact every reason TO switch. I thought about all the windows programs I used (photoshop for one, and steam with all its games) and then i decided to see if they would run under wine or similar. turns out both are possible to run on linux, and even if photoshop was not, I could use GimpShop (?? I think thats what its called)
basically, I would reccomend all windows users who have not tried linux write down all of the software you NEED and then google “running ______ under linux” to find out if anyone has done it, or if there is an alternative. if all your software can run fine, head over to ubuntu.com (I know there are other distros (arguably better) but ubuntu is the present leader, and is being solf on Dell and Asus computers for a GOOD REASON!) then dl a copy, burn it, and on your next windows install, slap that into the drive instead. If windows is already torched, it cant hurt trying out linux for a day, and you will hopefully never go back. This is, however, less reccommended for laptop users just because of the lack of easy wifi drivers, but with a little googling, you can easily get it working. just make sure you have an ethernet connection, or another machine to get wifi drivers if your on a laptop.

By Dan H on Sep 3, 2007

@macusers.

we know that most of you lack the knowledge to use or install other software that the one included in the restore disk. Anyway would be of no harm that you check some of the amazing software that’s being developed for a great independent community that makes a lot of tasks even easier and makes you even more productive.

@linuxusers.

even though each new distro installation gets even more basic and easier than the one from windows or macosx, you still have to install or update a lot of software afterwards, so if you are installing whats on the distro cd/dvd only… you are in trouble.

@windowsusers.

its nice to make that kind of installs and then make a ghost image with norton ghost to restore your pc in just a sec when you need it. I think the big problem is getting your settings saved. Regardless of the amount of software that you install after getting windows to work, i think it would be nice to have some way of keep all settings, and I mean all… from the size of certain windows, icon locations, taskbar settings, etc. For me thats the most annoying part. A good alternative is WindowsUE that installs pretty much what you need and also has streamlined inside office 2003, winrar, nero, alcohol, firefox, nod32 antivirus, etc; with minimum to non user assistance.

Personally Ive used macos9, macosx, a couple of linux distros and livecds, and windows xp (im avoiding vista at the moment) and I must say that all installations have their issues, and its unavoidable to be updating after a while if you are using an automated installation or image-disk. I think is a good thing to have a procedure list and also to have all the software you need in such case stored in the same accesible place each time needed.

By ß on Sep 3, 2007

IMHO you should add this to your list:
1a. Create partition #1 for Vista
1b. Create partition #2 for page file (1.5x size of RAM)
1c. Format #1 (NTFS) and install Vista there
1d. Go to Disk Managment (Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Computer Managment) and format #2 choosing FAT32 as the file system
1e. Move paging file to #2 and disable paging file on #1 (right-click the Computer icon > Advanced System Settings > Settings button under Performance)

By endryou on Sep 3, 2007

Portable apps are the way to go especially when used on a built in hard drive. Most of the best freeware programs are available. My personal list includes 7zip, firefox, foxit reader, file commander, gaim, gimp, notepad++, nvu, open office, sunbird, thunderbird, tightvnc, vlc media player as well as 30 or so system tools for every purpose. About the only thing I use that actually gets installed is avg and ghost 2003.

After getting these set up to your satisfaction, simply back them up by folder and forget about the operating system. If and when the system gets compromised, do a standard os install with updates (don’t forget avg) and move your portable apps over. Everything is just the way it was.

We are coming to an age when os is less important than suites of apps. I am sticking with xp2 ghosted on dvd for a total supervised install time of 5 minutes and unsupervised install time of about 30 minutes.

To get started go to portableapps.com and portablefreeware.com

By steb on Sep 4, 2007

Acronis True Image is a must unless you enjoy regularly re-installing everything. If you keep a mirror image of your HD when you have everything freshly installed than you can go back to that anytime in about 20 minutes.

By Ricardo on Sep 4, 2007

Format
Install Win XP
Updates
Disable system restore
Tweak performance & virtual memory
Firefox
Launchy
MS Office
uTorrent if it’s a personal computer
Photoshop
Illustrator
Foxit Reader
iTunes

That’s about it. But now I have a Mac so I don’t have to play the format-restore game anymore. I’ve been pretty happy going mostly open source since the switch, don’t know about open source PC programs too much.

By Jarick on Sep 4, 2007

Looks like I was prophetic. Took me 30 minutes just to find my Windows XP SP2 disc.

By William Furr on Sep 4, 2007

I keep Windows separated from my data as much as possible and as a result, I have been able to keep the same setup for over 8 years. Surviving 2 dead hard drives and both 98 and XP installs.

The Setup:

-I have a ’system’ partition, with windows and ONLY windows installed on it. The default install path for programs can be changed in the registry to not be your system drive.

-I have a ‘temp’ partition (think Linux swap) where all volatile files are stored. I map my system’s page file, the Local Settings\Temp folders, my documents folder and download folders, such as Firefox, P2P, etc.. Keeping all volatile files on a separate partition. (or better yet a separate, high performance drive). This keeps the rest of your system from fragmenting so quickly. Which results in added performance and stability.

-I have a games partition: 90% of PC games don’t need registry entries and can be run directly from the folder, regardless of whether you actually ‘installed it’ after a format or not. This is even true with Steam Apps.

-I have a programs partition (optional), which is 50/50 for apps that need regs but is very usefull for keeping program settings between formats and general organization.

-I have a storage partition that only contains files that I can’t lose from a hard drive dying. This includes a reg file with registry tweaks, a folder of shortcuts to programs that always work beyond a system format and a large library of drivers, setups, technical documentation, media, documents, etc..

-I have a separate drive, array, whatever, to backup the storage partition.

I usually wipe my system drive and install and update XP about every 1 1/2 years and it’s normally because of a drastic hardware change or some half baked DRM scheme, not a windows meltdown.

System partition wipes usually take 30 seconds, 30 minutes without a ghost image. Although since I usually only format with drastic hardware changes, I generally prefer the later.

In either case, I get to keep my data and most of my games/programs exactly as they were before the format. Also since I don’t have to snapshot my data, other then my system partition, my ghost image is just a few gigs in size.

I have thought about Macs but just can’t give up the game support and the ability to build my own machine and swap out parts at will.

By Ivan on Sep 4, 2007

OS X is my friend.

By devin on Sep 5, 2007

After your Windows is up and running, you’ll probably want to keep an image of it. PING is a better way than Ghost for doing so. It can be used as well to deploy your OS to other workstations around.

By Aaron on Sep 5, 2007

Start using the PortableApps.com suite and you’ll find out quickly that if you do a re-install how much you don’t have to put back on.

By Erik on Sep 5, 2007

Try installing win-get, its sth like apt-get in linux, all the softwares are freewares or opensource

By Arstan on Sep 5, 2007

QUOTE:@linuxusers.

even though each new distro installation gets even more basic and easier than the one from windows or macosx, you still have to install or update a lot of software afterwards, so if you are installing whats on the distro cd/dvd only… you are in trouble.QUOTE

You have to remember that doing an update in linux usually involves all your software being updated and not just the OS itself……hence the amount of updates on a fresh installation.
The fact is though that most everyday users needs(mom & pop…like myself)are practically covered with a default Ubuntu.The restricted packages might help of course but what else bar a browser,office suite,art app and game of solataire could most possibly want…….;)

By maddad on Sep 24, 2007

Everything else aside, Ivan’s post is near the best setup one can do windows wise i believe (i’ll try the portable approach one day i promise).

You get easy restore from image while preserving your personal data.

I have a twist on it, though, i’m going to simplify immensely to keep it short. After getting a base install of XPSP2 and all the basic utilities, i image that as my “Base”. Then restore that image onto two other partitions, giving me 3 base copies.

Why? I believe in not having to much software installed at once, so i customize each base from that point, one is my General OS (the one i use most of the time for general computer stuff). Another is Development OS (has apache and database servers and all that other server stuff i don’t want hogging memory unless i need them and development tools). The last base gets customized/optimized as my Game OS.

I then image each customization and store them and the base so i have ultimate flexibility down the road.

Then its just choosing which OS to boot based on what i want to do. You might think its annoying, but i find very rarely do i need to activly swap from OS to OS, and when i do its just a reboot (use the excuse to get up and strech your legs ;-).

All your personal data is of course stored on a completely different drive, so if you’ve really planned things out well, all your basic stuff (email, bookmarks, etc) are accessible and updatable from whatever OS your in.

2 hard drives partitioned as so:

DRIVE 1 (100GB)
C:[BOOT] - 4GB - Serves as the boot partition, nothing installed here.
E:[XP-Main] - 30GB - General purpose ‘flavor’
F:[XP-Dev] - 30GB - Development/coding
G:[XP-Play] - 30GB - Games
DRIVE 2 (500GB)
H: [WORK] - 100GB - Temporary work space, swap file, downloads, etc.
I: [STORAGE] - 400GB - Install files, my personal files, music, email, etc.

If you want to get really crazy, you can also fire up VirtualPC (or whatever) and restore a copy of the image there as well. I usually use this approach when i download questionable software i want to try out but i’m afraid of

Couple tips:
1) Make sure you validate your copy of XP before you base image.
2) After restoring your 3 base copies, you have to do a registry tweak in the 2nd two so all the drives have the same letter between flavors so all your apps work right. Google it.

By Namrepus on Sep 29, 2007

I have used windows for quite a while -95 gotten ok with it, liked WinXP best then during a bios update, the download corrupted, tried it again, , dumb, still corrupted Got one more good boot out of it then nothing, arghhhh. nice thing was , i had raid 0 . so now all my data backed up on it is well still there
i just can’t get it. so , bought a new pc nice and shiny ohhh vista nice get to try that. cool. well since have been trying to get Linux to run on this box . HOW do I install a whatever program other than is in the downloads of Ubuntu??? having probs with that but we’ll get it . also why when i multi task with linux does it freeze up on me?
I usually put on Excel Need that one for a particular file.
ffshow, wme9, logmein, no-ip, vlc , winamp. then whatever program i need that is free or i already paid for , like ccleaner or abyss . free is for me, but i will pay if it really does a good job and i need it.

By Expediter on Dec 27, 2007

you should install agent ransack - the best free search utility for your hardrives
agentransack.com

and also the best 2 window file utility around
servant salamander
from altap.cz

can’t live without them

also acdsee ver 2.1 is quite nice and no memory hog.

By Johny Dough on Jan 6, 2008

Not a big fan of Open Office since Microsoft has come out with the xlsx & docx extensions. Open Office could not open those for me so I am just sticking with Microsoft Office.

Vista is a headache for me still.

By NetConcepts on Mar 20, 2008

Avast is one of the very few really antivirus programs that offer real-time protection for home PC security. Czech guys did a great job! AVG and Avira seem to be the only competitors. Finding a full-featured free antivirus is tough these days, most of the so-called “free” programs are either time-limited trials, or simply on-demand scanners without real-time monitoring. To my mind, avast! has the best interface of all free AV’s available for personal PC security.

By PCSecurityExpert on Jul 8, 2008

I am very glad I came across this post. My brother has Vista and he has experienced the same problems. So hopefully these will help to make his computer run better. Thanks for the post and the great information.

By Tips Photo on Feb 3, 2009

Great freeware my pc is working much better and faster thanks for the share.

By registry cleaner on Mar 23, 2009