What to run on XP

I'm fixing a pc for a friend, and installing Windows XP back onto it. Aside from the obvious, what software do you recommend I install on it for her? She's not very tech savvy.

So far I've decided on:

• Firefox + extensions + theme
• Office 2007
• TuneUp Utilities 2009 (It's one of Those Programs, but it's actually good, and doesn't mess up your install)

CCleaner Adaware SE Spybot S&D

Pidgin Thunderbird

Don't forget codecs and flash.

sstusick said: CCleaner

Adaware SE Spybot S&D

Pidgin Thunderbird

Don't forget codecs and flash.

Fixed that for you.

You may or may not enjoy this guys rant, but if you scroll a fair way down the page he has quite a few XP applications listed in categories, you may find the list useful?

*_http://beranger.org/index.php?page=diary&2008/12/10/23/43/18-the-big-move-defecting-from-linu_*

a decent antivirus, there are some good free ones around, eg, AVGfree.

handy said: You may or may not enjoy this guys rant, but if you scroll a fair way down the page he has quite a few XP applications listed in categories, you may find the list useful?

*_http://beranger.org/index.php?page=diary&2008/12/10/23/43/18-the-big-move-defecting-from-linu_*

Haha, that was a pretty funny rant... but that's for another thread.

I read a comment on that page that inferred that installing anti-malware apps is a bad idea- why is that? I have Malwarebytes Anti-Malware on my XP Pro machine, and I've found it to be a really useful utility. Is it some elitist nonsense that "a competent user doesn't need anti-malware apps?" :P

I'm thinking AVG (I have 2 licenses left) and spybot I don't like Ad Aware

blazemore said: I'm thinking AVG (I have 2 licenses left) and spybot

I don't like Ad Aware

My two cents.

I agree with you on avoiding Adaware, that program always has issues when I use it.

I switched from AVG to Clamwin because I always found AVG to be a memory hog.

I like OpenOffice.org over Office 2007 (Even if Office 2007 was free I would still choose OpenOffice.)

If your friend has the disk space and would like to try Ubuntu, Wubi is an easy way to install without having to mess with disk partitioning.

http://www.clamwin.com/

http://wubi-installer.org/

open office.

malwarebytes anti-malware http://www.malwarebytes.org/

some form of registry cleaner like http://majorgeeks.com/download460.html

image the disk...

and teach her not to click on everything she sees out there.

I suggest Avast for antivirus. Before my complete switch to Ubuntu I had XP Pro installed with AVG. I noticed that my machine was slowing down dramatically and decided to try another antivirus to see if AVG was doing it's job...sure enough AVG was letting some things through. After installing Avast I had no more problems in the virus department.

Good disk and cleanup utilities - Defraggler and CrapCleaner Lean Antivirus and firewall - Avira, Avast, kerioSunbelt Free Firewall To protect yourself from malware - SandboxIE To replace big suites with Lighter Functional apps - ImgBurn, CDBurnXp, utorrent, GOM Player, Media Player Classic etc..

Avira is now my app of choice for antivirus rather than Avast or AVG. Here's a goo link for free lean apps

www.techsupportalert.com/

spcwingo said: I suggest Avast for antivirus. Before my complete switch to Ubuntu I had XP Pro installed with AVG. I noticed that my machine was slowing down dramatically and decided to try another antivirus to see if AVG was doing it's job...sure enough AVG was letting some things through. After installing Avast I had no more problems in the virus department.

+1. AVG deleted some random dll in the name of trojan horses, and now i get an error everytime I reboot. Get Avast.

LMD1990 said:

I read a comment on that page that inferred that installing anti-malware apps is a bad idea- why is that? I have Malwarebytes Anti-Malware on my XP Pro machine, and I've found it to be a really useful utility. Is it some elitist nonsense that "a competent user doesn't need anti-malware apps?" :P Probably my comment (toast?), and I strongly believe that it is true. I've never had malware issues on any OS. Anti-* apps are, in my view, a terrible approach to security. The emphasis should always be on prevention. Browse with Firefox or Opera, use NoScript or a similar tool, don't download anything you don't absolutely trust, and consider something like SiteAdvisor.

If you still get infected after all that (I haven't been in six years of running XP), I recommend that you first use HijackThis, which looks for telltale signs of hijackers rather than relying on instantly outdated definitions. If that doesn't work, then use a portable antimalware app such as the aforementioned Malwarebytes to look for it.

I'm not against using antivirus/spyware apps after an infection to remove the pest. However, they can't look into the future and are almost worthless when it comes to preventing attacks, particularly the increasingly-common zero-day assaults. Have one on a flash drive just in case, but don't waste your resources running one day-by-day.

*DISCLAIMER: I believe everything I said to be true, and practice it myself in my daily life. However, I make no guarantees about anything.*

Some more useful apps I've found:

• CCleaner
• ZoneAlarm Firewall
• IrfanView
• Audacity
• Cygwin & Terminator
• NoteCase
• suRun
• Auslogics Disk Defrag
• Winboard

I myself would recommend Comodo Internet Security- it's anti-virus and firewall in one, it's free, and it really seems to do the job superbly. Also yeah, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Spybot S&D.

I prefer Winamp for audio applications

I use the free FLV video player from Applian http://www.applian.com/flvplayer/

Firefox (of course)

MP3 Direct Cut for trimming MP3s (it is free and works great). http://mpesch3.de1.cc/

Devede for Windows http://www.majorsilence.com/devede/

www.majorgeeks.com is a great resource for open source/free/shareware Windows apps. Check on the right side under Info, the link to "Top Freeware Picks".

There is a freeware/open source equivalent for almost any Windows app you might need here.

Audacity for Music Editing.

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

You'll need the lame_enc.dll to export as MP3s.

viruses and spyware run well on windows, don't forget those =p

seriously tho, halo.

The loadout on my XP machine is

Antivirus: AVG 8. Good balance of resource usage and security.

Disk cleaner: built in disk cleanup

Browser: Opera 9.x (10 Alpha is available now BTW)

Disk Defragmenter: Diskeeper 2009 Pro. Automatic, and the best. Never have to defrag once installed.

Media Player(S): itunes (only for syncing my ipod touch), VLC Player (the best IMHO!), SMPlayer, FFDShow+Media Player Classic.

Media converters: Handbrake, Videora.

Burning software: CDBurner XP and Burnatonce

Productivity: Microsoft Office 2002 full suite.

That's it, off the top of my head.

Antivirus: I use AVG 7.5 on my laptop and AVG 8 on my desktop. Antispyware: Spybot S&D on my laptop, none on the desktop. Browsing: Firefox 3 on both machines. Webpage editing: Kompozer, both machines. E-Mail/Newsreader: Thunderbird on the desktop. CD/DVD burning: InfraRecorder on the laptop, Nero on the desktop. Video playback: Media Player Classic on the laptop, VLC on the desktop. Audio playback: Winamp, both machines. Desktop runs the Pro version. Audio creation/edits: Audacity, both machines. Graphics creation/edits: GIMP on both machines (for CG), Picasa on both machines (for photography), also Photoshop 7 on the desktop. Instant Messenger: Pidgin, both machines. IRC client: Irssi on the laptop, mIRC on the desktop. Archiver: 7Zip on both machines. File transfer: WinSCP on both machines. SSH/Telnet: PuTTY on both machines.

Keep in mind, these are just what I use.

Please, whatever you do, never ever use VLC.

HymnToLife said: Please, whatever you do, never ever use VLC.

Wow, never thought I'd hear someone disagree on running VLC on a windows machine other than myself.

Izek said: Wow, never thought I'd hear someone disagree on running VLC on a windows machine other than myself.

You're not alone, really. ;) No one who knows what they're talking about would recommend using it.

HymnToLife said: You're not alone, really. ;) No one who knows what they're talking about would recommend using it.

Exactly why is that? I'm curious to know.

I don't use it. Normally, I'll just use WMP.

Giant Speck said: Exactly why is that? I'm curious to know.

I don't use it. Normally, I'll just use WMP.

VLC is a music player that runs more formats of of video and music files without installing Codecs for them. I love VLC personally. Worked great for me.* Shrug* But I don't run windows anymore lol.

I wish there was a Linux version of Winamp. I like the free plugins like the stereo compressor/limiter which is really useful. I use it to feed a mini AM transmitter to cover my house out to the backyard. I listen to a lot of podcasts and a limiter/compressor is a must have. Its one of the few reasons why I still use XP.

Sorry for the off topic... But is there a Linux audio limiter/compressor?

I-75 said: I wish there was a Linux version of Winamp. I like the free plugins like the stereo compressor/limiter which is really useful. I use it to feed a mini AM transmitter to cover my house out to the backyard. I listen to a lot of podcasts and a limiter/compressor is a must have. Its one of the few reasons why I still use XP.

xmms

For antivirus stuff heres my closing speech for when I used to do malware removal on another site.

Needless to say all this is why I moved away from windoze.

*When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.

• [color="blue"]Make your Internet Explorer more secure[/color] - This can be done by following these simple instructions:
• From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
• Click once on the Security tab
• Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
• Click once on the Custom Level button.
• Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
• Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
• Change the Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to Disable
• Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
• Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
• Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
• If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.
• Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.
• [color="blue"]Use an AntiVirus Software[/color] - It is very important that your computer has an anti-virus software running on your machine. This alone can save you a lot of trouble with malware in the future.

See this link for a listing of some online & their stand-alone antivirus programs:

[[color="red"]Virus, Spyware, and Malware Protection and Removal Resources[/color]]("http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topict405.html")

• [color="blue"]Update your AntiVirus Software[/color] - It is imperitive that you update your Antivirus software at least once a week (Even more if you wish). If you do not update your antivirus software then it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out.

• [color="blue"]Use a Firewall[/color] - I can not stress how important it is that you use a Firewall on your computer. Without a firewall your computer is succeptible to being hacked and taken over. I am very serious about this and see it happen almost every day with my clients. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly.

For a tutorial on Firewalls and a listing of some available ones see the link below:

[[color="red"]Understanding and Using Firewalls[/color]]("http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/tutorial60.html")

• [color="blue"]Visit Microsoft's Windows Update Site Frequently[/color] - It is important that you visit [[color="red"]http://www.windowsupdate.com[/color]]("http://www.windowsupdate.com") regularly. This will ensure your computer has always the latest security updates available installed on your computer. If there are new updates to install, install them immediately, reboot your computer, and revisit the site until there are no more critical updates.

• [color="blue"]Install Spybot - Search and Destroy[/color] - Install and download Spybot - Search and Destroy with its TeaTimer option. This will provide realtime spyware & hijacker protection on your computer alongside your virus protection. You should also scan your computer with program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software.

A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:

[[color="red"]Using Spybot - Search & Destroy to remove Spyware , Malware, and Hijackers[/color]]("http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/tutorial43.html")

• [color="blue"]Install Ad-Aware[/color] - Install and download Ad-Aware. ou should also scan your computer with program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software in conjunction with Spybot.

A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:

[[color="red"]Using Ad-aware to remove Spyware, Malware, & Hijackers from Your Computer[/color]]("http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/tutorial48.html")

• [color="blue"]Install SpywareBlaster[/color] - SpywareBlaster will added a large list of programs and sites into your Internet Explorer settings that will protect you from running and downloading known malicious programs.

A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:

[[color="red"]Using SpywareBlaster to protect your computer from Spyware and Malware[/color]]("http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/tutorial49.html")

Follow this list and your potential for being infected again will reduce dramatically.

• [color="blue"]Update all these programs regularly[/color] - Make sure you update all the programs I have listed regularly. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new malicious programs are released.

here are some additional utilities that will enhance your safety

[[color="red"] Using Winpatrol to protect your computer from malicious software[/color]]("http://www.winpatrol.com/features.html")

• _IE/Spyad_ [color="red"]<=[/color] [color="blue"]IE/Spyad places over 4000 websites and domains in the IE Restricted list which will severely impair attempts to infect your system. It basically prevents any downloads (Cookies etc) from the sites listed, although you will still be able to connect to the sites.[/color]
• _MVPS Hosts file_ [color="red"]<=[/color] [color="blue"]The MVPS Hosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well know ad sites etc. Basically, this prevents your coputer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is your local computer[/color]
• _Google Toolbar _[color="red"]<=[/color] [color="blue"]Get the free google toolbar to help stop pop up windows.[/color]
• _Winpatrol _[color="red"]<=[/color] [color="blue"] Download and install the free version of Winpatrol. a tutorial for this product is located here:[/color]

Some of it is useful for keeping secure online.

Hope it helps.

Well for kicks, I just installed XP, I then used Explorer one time to install Chrome. Now I'm installing KDE4.1 :lolflag:

HymnToLife said: You're not alone, really. ;) No one who knows what they're talking about would recommend using it.

Can you explain yourself hymn? I'm curious as to whats wrong with using VLC on windows. I've never used it myself as I like totem/mplayer and I don't even have a windows box but I know quite a few windows users who do use it.

donkyhotay said: Can you explain yourself hymn? I'm curious as to whats wrong with using VLC on windows. I've never used it myself as I like totem/mplayer and I don't even have a windows box but I know quite a few windows users who do use it.

I don't experience probs. please do explain.

and what not to run, is remove ie. install an alternative

Well, if you don't have problems with VLC, then fair enough I guess. But if/when you do, you'll remember me. ;)

The fact that VLC already includes codecs may seem a good thing, but it's in fact a bad one because it means you cannot add codecs to it so it can play more formats, and you cannot replace the default ones when they suck.

Here's what I run (based on hellion's list :P):

Antivirus: AVG works fine for me. Browsing: Opera 9.6x Paperwork: MS Office 2007 E-Mail/RSS: Opera's Mail client. It's really minimalistic, some may like it, some may not. CD/DVD burning: CD Burner XP Video playback: VLC. Don't know why others complain about it, works fine for me. Audio playback: Winamp. Audio editing: Audacity. Graphics creation/edits: Actually, Paint is enough for my needs :P. PDF viewer: Foxit. Instant Messenger: Trillian. File Manager: Total Commander. Archiver: 7Zip to use as a graphic app, WinRAR to plug into Total Commander.

CrazyArcher said: Video playback: VLC. Don't know why others complain about it, works fine for me.

If you want some example of streams VLC will choke its hear off on, just ask. ;) (And no, they don't use insanely obscure formats.)

psycosmyth said: Well for kicks, I just installed XP, I then used Explorer one time to install Chrome. Now I'm installing KDE4.1 :lolflag:

Wouldn't Kubuntu, SUSE, Fedora or Mandriva be better for KDE :p

I suggest

Video

smplayer because Quicktime sucks and VLC doesn't handle .mov well VLC always works well for me Windows Movie Maker for authoring movies

Music

iTunes if they have an iPod Audacity and lame for editing music and then exporting it to mp3 Foobar 2000 for playing music if iTunes is not needed

First thing I install on any XP personal (not work) system I set up(after the latest hotfixes, of course) is AppSnap. It's not quite as awesome as a full-fledged repository system, but it does make the installation of FOSS and freeware much easier.

As for other stuff, Media Player Classic is my go-to movie player app, and Media Monkey is a useful music player. Avira has become my go-to AV app, and Spybot is there for spyware (which Avira doesn't catch). Comodo is a good firewall if you're doing a relatively modern system. CDBurnerXP is a competent, free disc burner. Firefox, of course, is a must. uTorrent, PeerGuardian, and OpenOffice round out my usual load-out.

I'd give a quick browse here. However, as far as ClamWin, I'd stick with AVG due to it's active scanning. I love CDBurnerXP, but I will give Infrarecord a good go when I next boot into my Vista partition.

Returnil: A nice easy to use on-the-fly virtualization app that has both a free and paid version:

http://www.returnilvirtualsystem.com/

AVG let me down once so I dumped it for Avira, Avira instanly caught the bug for me. Saved me a big headache (I was also lucky).

Spybot S&D. Actively blocks spyware, other useful tools as well.

ZoneAlarm. Windows firewall is a complete utter joke. Lets anything that wants too through.

FireFox3, but don't uninstall Internet Explorer, it's the only way to update Windows (to keep those viruses in check).

Picasa for sorting pics, Photoshop for any real editting (Gimp's fine as well).

All of the free programs I've mentioned can be found here http://www.majorgeeks.com/

Have a look here http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm if you want to dive in with both feet. It's just a database of services to turn off for better performance. Take some of it with a grain of salt as this guy probably doesn't have the same peripherals as every one else. It's interesting reading.... if you have a few hours to waste.