Windows XP - Essential Software

Well after just formatting my pc and finding out how much of a pain in the arse it is ive decided to try and put together an "essential software" iso that should install programs automatically. Ive got a few things i want to put in but im creating this thread so everyone can chip in with what they want to see in it.

 

Microsoft office or other variant
Firefox browser
mail setup utility?
Norton Antivirus or other variant
DIVX and other codecs
windows xp SPII install
windows xp update rollup
Soundcard drivers

 

A few of the things i install straight away are perhaps:

IRC client (latest mIRC for me)
Firefox
Winamp
MSN Messenger 7.0
WinRAR
WMP 10.0

If they're the sort of programs you mean...

 

Oh and the software doesnt have to be freeware, if a program has a 30 day trial or so and you think its worthy post its name anyway.

 

Acronis True Image.
You won't have to worry about re-installing windows again.

 

a DVD playing software
DEFINITELY a good firewall and antivirus
any games you want lol
Microsoft Office
and check out majorgeeks.com, they might have some stuff you like.

 

For me Essential apps on a fresh install:

• ACDSee (picture viewing)
• Alcohol 120% and Daemon Tools (cd emulation)
• Azureus (downloads)
• DC++ (downloads)
• Codecs
• DUMeter (measure downloads)
• GetRight (download manager)
• DVDSanta (encoding and burning DVD's)
• ICQ and MSN
• IsoBuster (manipulating iso's)
• Konfabulator (weather on desktop)
• MailWasher (filter email before hits client)
• Motherboard monitor (system temps)
• Nero (burning)
• Spyware apps (adaware, spybot, hijackthis)
• StyleXP (theming)
• Symantec AV (antivirus software)
• VirtualDub (video manipulation)
• VLC Player (play corrupt/inconplete video files)
• Winamp (music playback)
• WinRar and WinZip
• WS_FTP LE (ftp client)

That's pretty much my minimum requirements.

 

• MS Office 2003

• Daemon Tools

• Alcohol 120%

• Miranda IM

• Flash FXP

• Girder

• Winamp

• StyleXP

• Xvid

• DivX

• Nero

• WinRAR

• Mozilla Firebird

• Mozilla Thunderbird

• AC3 Filter

• PowerDVD

• Quicktime Alternative

• Real Alternative

• PC-Cillin

• Powertoys for XP

• Whatever Games im playing at the time

some other things but those are the bare essentials

-Gaz

 

Utils that need reinstalling:

Alcohol 120%
Miranda
Nero Burning Rom
Firefox
Adware se

Utils i run from C:\Programs\ without reinstalling

DC++
NetMeter
DVD Shrink
Media Player Classic
Winamp
WinRar
FlashFXP
DVD Identifier
StatBar
TightVNC

Codecs I reinstall:
Divx 3.11 alhpa , Xvid 1.03 , ac3 filter, freeware mpg/mpg2 codec, ogg , ogm, vobsub, quicktime alt