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December 24, 2008 12:00 AM PST

Windows Starter Kit: Must-have PC apps

by Seth Rosenblatt
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Go to the Windows Starter Kit

You must have treated somebody well this year, because you've got a new computer to start 2009 off right. In this edition of the Download.com Windows Starter Kit, we've expanded our collection to include both the recommended free programs you've come to expect from us, and suitable alternatives if our choice doesn't make your grade.

This year's categories include Web browsers, e-mail clients, office and productivity tools, parenting, image editors, music jukeboxes, video jukeboxes and players, file compressors, chatware, torrent clients, and seven five-star, must-have utilities.

Notice the lack of security programs? Check out the Security Starter Kit for our freeware choices to help keep you safe when you surf.

Seth peers into the deep, dark corners of software so that you don't have to. He has yet to suffer a single nightmare about OS/2. You can follow him on Twitter.
Topics:

Browsers and extensions,

Chat and e-mail,

Digital photography,

Security and spyware,

Utilities and drivers,

Office Software,

Windows Software

Tags:

Windows Starter Kit,

Web browser,

email,

utilities,

chat,

image editor,

office,

jukebox,

audio,

video. filesharing

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Add a Comment (Log in or register) Showing 1 of 2 pages (27 Comments)
by Owyn December 24, 2008 2:09 AM PST
Excellent collection. Found a couple of new candidates to look at, but, already using at least one of your recommendations in each section.

One I would add to the list is NotePad++. I am a long time user of NoteTab but it just does not cut the mustard when you need to edit code.
http://www.download.com/Notepad-/3000-2352_4-10327521.html?tag=mncol&cdlPid=10989018
Reply to this comment
by juliunizeer December 25, 2008 6:57 PM PST
That's right !
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www.tech-downloads.com
by math3musician December 25, 2008 6:04 AM PST
You really should include the windows live mail desktop client in your e-mail client section, it's free and works like a dream.
Reply to this comment
by ravi16aug December 25, 2008 6:43 AM PST
Not half as bad as last years kit. But still two obvious kinks - 1. Chrome is totally out of beta. 2. Windows Live Mail is a much much better free email client than Thunderbird. It supports Windows Live Hotmail too along with Windows Live Calender.
Reply to this comment
by elcorreodelpolo December 25, 2008 8:20 AM PST
That's right, it's me: a lot of thanks.
Reply to this comment
by 1yes1 December 25, 2008 4:55 PM PST
good...try it.
Reply to this comment
by juliunizeer December 25, 2008 6:57 PM PST
It a must to have a computer at home this days.... That's why this new year the best gift that we could give to our love one is A PC,

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Reply to this comment
by juliunizeer December 25, 2008 6:58 PM PST
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Reply to this comment
by thedementedboy January 21, 2009 12:13 AM PST
what the hell is this crap about? this has absolutely nothing to do with what cnet posted. get a life.
by EKInc December 26, 2008 9:04 AM PST
Not bad. However, for file compression I would recommend deVault (ekwintools.com)
It is freeware unlike WinZip, allows you to use categories, descriptions and labels to organize and share your files in addition to compression and encryption. It also has instant search, something WinZip and WinRar don't have, email, ftp, backup/restore and sync options. The app is tiny 0.5MB.
Reply to this comment
by thedementedboy January 21, 2009 12:14 AM PST
ive never even heard of this program. winrar rules, takes care of a lot of compression types, and is able to handle .iso files.
by uploadedtv December 26, 2008 11:41 AM PST
Good matter.For more log onto www.uploaded.tv
Reply to this comment
by uploadedtv December 26, 2008 11:42 AM PST
Good Thing.For more,www.uploaded.tv
Reply to this comment
by daltilio December 26, 2008 1:44 PM PST
Can you provide links for previous year "Windows Starter Kit: Must-have PC apps." You mentioned last year's article but there was no link to see it.
Reply to this comment
by Hard2pleez December 26, 2008 2:48 PM PST
I have used AVG on all my computers with great success. I recommend this software to everyone I know. good job AVG.
Reply to this comment
by Kendogsbarn December 27, 2008 10:18 AM PST
!!Foxit Reader?? In my experience, this does not belong on the list, Seth. This is ASK.com Hijackware.
Reply to this comment
by 0zSpit December 28, 2008 3:33 AM PST
just uncheck the box when it asks to install ask tool bar and homepage. they just added that. also don't install any updates. foxit is starting to turn into malware it seems...
by 0zSpit December 28, 2008 3:36 AM PST
another program i like to keep is heidi's eraser and cutepdf, otherwise a good list.
Reply to this comment
by Kendogsbarn December 28, 2008 9:39 AM PST
I indeed UNCHECKED the "toolbar and homepage" options while in setup, thinking Mozilla should remain unmolested by yet another toolbar.
I hardly ever use IE7, so I didn't expect what happened next.
Check it out: FOXIT planted itself into IE7 WITHOUT MY PERMISSION OR KNOWLEDGE and BLOCKED Mozilla. In my estimation, this certainly qualifies it as Malware.
I can think of a better name for it.
Reply to this comment
by MafiaPenguin December 30, 2008 11:46 PM PST
Foxit 3.0 works great on mine...
FF, Chrome and Opera work well, and I can use IE, too.
by DeclinedDoomed January 3, 2009 6:06 AM PST
I'll tell you, I was pretty happy to see some good web browsers on that list, other than the overrated and far inferior Firefox.
Reply to this comment
by foxmaverick January 4, 2009 1:34 AM PST
VLC player is okay but GOM media player is much better. It works especially well when I connect my laptop to my 50+inch phillips hdtv and use the player to play home movies & such on the big screen.
You can get it at:
http://www.gomlab.com/eng/GMP_download.html
Reply to this comment
by thedementedboy January 21, 2009 12:16 AM PST
do you even know why people like VLC? it will play ANY video file you throw at it, its pretty lightweight, and it handles incomplete files like a total champ.
by shyone379 January 4, 2009 8:35 PM PST
I wonder if anyone is looking for a Video Edit Magic 4.47 Registration Key?????
Reply to this comment
by jcarales January 4, 2009 10:30 PM PST
Nice one! i like it all because i work on my old PC.
Reply to this comment
by thedementedboy January 21, 2009 12:17 AM PST
ATTENTION EVERYONE: if you do not know anything about computers, DONT POST ANYTHING ON THIS WEBSITE. NOBODY CARES ABOUT YOUR CHEAP 50inch TV YOU GOT FROM WALMART OR YOUR WEIRD PROGRAMS THAT YOU FOUND ON SOME RANDOM WEBSITE.
Reply to this comment
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