What is needed after reinstalling

Windows 7, XP and Vista

Windows Easy Transfer from Microsoft

Windows easy transfer makes use of the windows.old file created by Win7 during installation. This is used to restore settings into Win7 from other versions. Microsoft Easy Transfer should be used before you begin upgrading to Windows 7 and again once Windows is installed.

Windows Easy Transfer

Firefox browser

Everyone here, and 34 percent of our visitors use Firefox instead of Internet explorer.

Firefox is more secure, and updated more often.

Firefox Browser

Java

This is a tough one. It seems Java can't really be updated, it can only be installed.

Java.com - download the latest version. Save it on your desktop. Don't install it yet.

Go to add/remove programs and uninstall 'all' versions of java and java script listed.

Now install the java installation file that you just downloaded.

Quicktime

apple quicktime - download and install.

Only the player is required.

Macromedia Shockwave - Browser extension

Shockwave - download and install.

DirectX - Required for games and lots of other things.

DirectX

Flash player

Flash player - download and install.

Adobe Reader - to open PDF files

Adobe reader - download and install.

Real Player - Free version to open real version multimedia files.

Real Player

Zip utility's - to open all compressed files

WinRar - Our choice from rar labs

Winzip

Secunia PSI - Checks your installed programs and points out security updates.

Secunia PSI

Belarc Adviser - Must Have - lists everything about your computer and checks for broken Microsoft Hotfixes.

Belarc Adviser

Memory upgrade - If your computer still seems slow after just installing Windows.

The web tool will check your computer, listing the kind of memory you need.

The tool will also tell you if you can add more memory, and point you at the correct RAM.

File backup - You must to be able to recover your files if you have problems.

LiveDrive - Simple, Secure Online Backup.

OpenOffice - Just like Microsoft Office but it's free.

Open Office

QuickPar - If you use Par files we think this is the best program.

Quickpar.org

Divx - Needed if you watch some downloaded movies or videos.

You only need the drivers, not the player.

download Divx

Xvid - Less needed if you watch some downloaded movies or videos.

You only need the drivers, not the player.

download xvid

Not required items but useful to some

Microsoft Bootvis - If you have problems during boot or resume, this tool can pinpoint the problem.

Bootvis home page

Download here

Windows XP Prefetch Clean And Control 1.2.0 - This tool can help boot your computer a little faster.

Download here

Read the description at the download site, and or Google it.

Power toys for XP - Microsoft tools to tweak your system, and added extras not included during install.

Microsoft Power toys download

Microsoft screen savers, skins, songs, images, and more.

Windows XP add ons

Windows Vista add ons

Microsoft windows Vista - Download page for updates and add ons approved for Windows Vista.

Microsoft Vista downloads

DNS server- DNS (Domain Name System)

OpenDNS is a public DNS server that can help if your internet provider has constant DNS problems.

Opendns.com You don't need to sign up or install anything. Use the instructions provided.

Hard drive fitness test Checks and repairs most hard drives

Hard drive fitness test We suggest that you backup your files before using!

Program will create a bootable floppy disk or bootable CD to repair your HDD