A-Squared - Removes spyware, trojans, backdoors, worms, dialers, keyloggers and a lot of other destructive pests.  A paid version will get you real time protection and automatic updates.

AVG Anti-Virus -  No computer should be without a real time anti-malware program.  No more excuses...this one is free.

Ad-Aware - One of the first anti-spyware programs and now a full-blown anti-malware program.   The paid version will get you anti-virus and real-time protection.

Kaspersky TDSSKiller - If your computer is exhibiting bizarre or strange behavior and your anti-virus/anti-malware software has not detected an issue, we recommend running TDSSKiller.  This software is a free and simple utility that will detect and remove common rootkits.  Even if your computer is not exhibiting this behavior, we recommend an occasional scan with TDSSKiller as part of your routine to keep your system healthy.

Malwarebytes - Along with Superantispyware (below), this product is the best for removing the latest pests "Antivirus 2008/2009,"  "Antivirus XP" and other agressive bogus programs.  Using new detection technology, Malwarebytes is very effective and efficient at identifying and removing malware.  A paid version will get you real time protection and automatic updates.

Microsoft Security Essentials - All the basics such as automatic updating, easy scan scheduling and a simple interface are included in this free anti-malware program from Microsoft.

Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper - Sometimes the only way to remove malware is to boot your system with a CD or DVD so the operating system on your hard drive is not active while trying to remove the malware.  Microsoft has created System Sweeper for this scenario.  The program includes an easy to use interface for creating the boot CD or DVD.

Norton Online Scanning Tool - This tool will allow you to scan for viruses and/or security holes on your system. (Please note that Internet Explorer is required to run this utility.)

SUPERAntiSpyware - Along with Malwarebytes (above), this product is the best for removing the latest pests "Antivirus 2008/2009,"  "Antivirus XP" and other agressive bogus programs.  A paid version will get you real time protection and automatic updates.

Spybot Search & Destroy - One of the first anti-spyware programs and now a full-blown anti-malware program.   Has some real time features but updates are done manually.

Spycatcher - Successful malware remover.  A paid version will get you real time protection and automatic updates.

Trend Micro House Call - Another online virus scanner. This one is slower but it will actually clean and delete files.

CDBurnerXP - This is a free CD/DVD burning solution. With this software you can burn CD-R, CD-RW DVD+R/RW DVD-R/RW discs.

GOM Player - A feature rich media player that will play most audio and video files out of the box. If a special codec is needed, the system will help you easily locate the necessary plugin.

ImgBurn - A lightweight and easy to use CD / DVD / HD DVD / Blu-ray burning application.  It is also great for creating images or backups of your non-copyrighted discs.

Media Monkey - A music manager with nearly every feature. Play your music, organize your music, rip a CD, burn a CD, convert to another file type, update your tags via Amazon...and the list goes on and on.

Microsoft Movie Maker - Movie editing made easy.

VLC Media Player - Great media player that will play just about anything without the need to download additional plugins or codecs.

Desktops - If you are a multi-tasker, you will appreciate this utility. Desktops allows you to run different programs on up to four virtual desktops.

Ditto - In the words of the developer: "Ditto is an extension to the standard windows clipboard.  It saves each item placed on the clipboard allowing you access to any of those items at a later time.  Ditto allows you to save any type of information that can be put on the clipboard, text, images, html, etc."

Free PDF to Word Converter - This program can convert a PDF file to a Word document to allow for editing all while maintaining the original file layout.  Please note that the program seems to work with original PDF files only, not documents that have been scanned to PDF.

Greenshot - A screenshot utility that lets you select any area of your screen to print or to save as an image.

IBM Lotus Symphony - Need to view/create documents, spreadsheets, and/or presentations?  IBM Lotus Symphony is an excellent alternative to Microsoft Office.

Image Resizer Powertoy Clone - A very simple image resizing tool.  Resize one image at a time or groups of images.

Microsoft Power Toys for Windows XP - Simplify certain tasks or add new functionality. Check out the dozen or so free tools from Microsoft.

Nitro PDF - Much more than just a PDF reader; Nitro allows comments, saved forms, content extraction, etc.

OpenOffice - Like IBM Lotus Symphony (noted above), OpenOffice is an excellent alternative to Microsoft Office.  View/create documents, spreadsheets, and/or presentations.

Paint.net - If you want to do some graphic work or touch-up and or enhance some photos, no need for the expensive graphics programs, Paint.net will do the trick.

PDF Split and Merge - Merge and/or split PDF files quickly and simply.  Requires Java Runtime.

PDF Tools - Provides the ability to merge and/or split PDF files as well as many advanced features such as the ability to convert a PDF into an image file.

Picasa - An excellent photo managing tool from Google.

doPDF - Need to create your own PDF's instead of just viewing them? Use doPDF like a printer and easily create them from any Windows program.

Quickbooks Simple Start 2008 - A free yet still excellent version of Intuit's famous Quickbooks accounting software.  (NOTE: There are newer versions of this software available, but after the 2008 version, you are restricted to 20 customers.)

Stickies - Post-It notes for your desktop.

Ta-da Lists - Keep track of your to-do lists and, if you wish, share them with your family and friends.

Thunderbird - An excellent alternative email client.

Virtual Clone Drive - Use this software to mount an image file (a single file that cotains an entire CD/DVD; example image files include ISO, BIN, CCD, etc.).  Mounting an image file will make the image act like a physical CD/DVD drive on your computer.

EASEUS Partition Manager - Easily create new partitions (split your C: drive into C: and D: for example) through Windows on your current machine.  Just a couple of clicks and a reboot and you will have your drive configured just the way you want it.

Device Doctor - Drivers are pieces of software that tell your operating system how to use your various hardware devices.  And just like updates are created for your operating system, updates are created for your device drivers.  Device Doctor will scan your computer and tell you which device drivers need updating and it will also provide a direct link for you to download the latest updates.

File Shredder  - Have some files on your computer that you want deleted forever?  Delete these files with File Shredder and prevent file recovery.  (We also like Eraser which has a simple right-click option to securely empty the recycle bin.  This feature is missing from File Shredder, however, File Shredder has a more simple interface.)

KeePass - Most people use the same password over and over because it is too hard to remember multiple passwords.  Also, most people write down their passwords and this can lead to lost and/or stolen passwords.  Improve your security with KeePass and store all your passwords in one secure database and access them with one master password.

Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI)  - An excellent security tool that scans all programs installed on your computer and notifies you of any that are out of date.  If a program is out of date, PSI will offer a direct link to the latest update, if one is available.

Windows 7 in a Box - The Windows 7 in a Box utility provides quick access to dozens of settings for the Windows 7 operating system.  This is a simple executable file, so no need to install anything.  Just download the utility, save it to your desktop and run it.  You will now have quick/simple access to adjust things such as screen resolution, account settings, diagnostics and other settings you may not previously been aware of.

Adobe Flash Player - This is a plugin for your web browser that will allow you to experience flash multimedia which is embedded in many web sites.

Java Runtime Environment - Enables your computer to run applications and applets that use Java technology which is embedded in many web sites.

Mozilla Firefox - Browse the Web with confidence! Firefox protects you from viruses, spyware and pop-ups.

QuickTime Player - An audio/video multimedia player required for certain media.