1. Avast AntiVirus : (Freeware)

"The latest version of avast! antivirus kernel features outstanding detection abilities, together with high performance. You can expect 100% detection of In-the-Wild viruses (viruses already spreading between users) and excellent detection of Trojan horses.

The kernel is certified by ICSA; and frequently takes part in the tests of Virus Bulletin magazine, often yielding the VB100 award.

The avast! engine also features outstanding unpacking support. It can scan inside the following archives: ARJ, ZIP, MIME (+ all associated formats), MAPI (Outlook pst files), DBX (Outlook Express archives), RAR, TAR, GZIP, CAB, BZIP2, ZOO, ACE, ARC, LHA/LHX, TNEF (winmail.dat), CPIO, CHM, RPM, ISO, 7ZIP and SIS. It also supports a number of executable packers (such as PKLite, Diet, UPX, ASPack, PeShield, FSG, MEW etc.).

Last, but not least, it can also scan for viruses hidden in Alternate data streams on NTFS volumes.

Features overview :

•  Antivirus kernel Automatic updates

•  Simple User Interface Virus Chest

•  Resident protection System integration

•  P2P and IM Shields Integrated Virus Cleaner

•  Network Shield Support for 64-bit Windows

•  Web Shield Internationalization

" (excerpt from Developer)

2.  Media Player Classic: (Freeware)

Extremely light weight media player with great features. You can stretch the video being played to utilize the whole screen of your laptop or computer. Capable of even playing DVD's and has lot of advanced options like audio delay for movies whose video and audio doesn't synchronize. Highly recommended.

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3. Mozila Firefox: (Freeware)

"Rediscover the web. The wait is over. Firefox empowers you to browse faster, more safely and more efficiently than with any other browser. Join more than 50 million others and make the switch today — Firefox imports your Favorites, settings and other information, so you have nothing to lose.

• Popup Blocking : Stop annoying popup ads in their tracks with Firefox's built in popup blocker.

• Tabbed Browsing : View more than one web page in a single window with this time saving feature. Open links in the background so that they're ready for viewing when you're ready to read them.

• Privacy and Security : Built with your security in mind, Firefox keeps your computer safe from malicious spyware by not loading harmful ActiveX controls. A comprehensive set of privacy tools keep your online activity your business.

• Smarter Search : Google Search is built right into the toolbar, and there is a plethora of other search tools including Smart Keywords (type "dict <word>" in the Location bar), and the new Find bar (which finds text as you type without covering up anything).

• Live Bookmarks RSS integration lets you read the latest news headlines and read updates to your favorite sites that are syndicated.

• Hassle-Free Downloading : Files you download are automatically saved to your Desktop so they're easy to find. Fewer prompts mean files download quicker.

• Fits Like a Glove : Simple and intuitive, yet fully featured, Firefox has all the functions you're used to - Bookmarks, History, Full Screen, Text Zooming to make pages with small text easier to read, etc.

• S, M, L or XL—It's Your Choice : Firefox is the most customizable browser on the planet. Customize your toolbars to add additional buttons, install new Extensions that add new features, add new Themes to browse with style, and use the adaptive search system to allow you to search an infinite number of engines. Firefox is as big or small as you want.

• Setup's a Snap : At only 4.7MB (Windows), Firefox takes just a few minutes to download over a slow connection and seconds over a fast connection. The installer gets you set up quickly, and the new Easy Transition system imports all of your settings - Favorites, passwords and other data from Internet Explorer and other browsers - so you can start surfing right away.

• A Developer's Best Friend : Firefox comes with a standard set of developer tools including a powerful JavaScript and CSS error/warning console, and an optional Document Inspector that gives detailed insight about your pages.

• Read Mail—Not Spam : Thunderbird is the perfect complement to Firefox." (excerpt from Developer)

4. Roboform: (Freeware)

"Roboform is the top-rated Password Manager and Web Form Filler that completely automates password entering and form filling.
RoboForm was named PC Magazine Editor's Choice, and CNET Download.com's Software of the Year. RoboForm:
 

•  Memorizes your passwords and Logs You In automatically.

•  Fills long registration and checkout forms with one click.

•  Encrypts your passwords to achieve complete security.

•  Generates random passwords that hackers cannot guess.

•  Fights Phishing by filling passwords only on matching web sites.

•  Defeats Keyloggers by not using keyboard to type passwords.

•  Backs up your passwords, Copies them between computers.

•  Synchronizes passwords between computers using GoodSync.

•  Searches for keywords in your passwords, notes and Internet.

•  Portable: Pass2Go RF runs from USB key, no install needed.

•  PDA-friendly: sync your passwords to Pocket PC and Palm.

•  Neutral: works with Internet Explorer, AOL/MSN, Firefox.

Roboform is FREE if you have 10 logins or less in it." (excerpt from Developer)

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5. DVD Decrypter: (Freeware)

"DVD Decrypter is a free tool which enables you decrypt and copy a DVD to your PC's hard disk.  From there you can choose to watch them with the likes of PowerDVD and WinDVD or you can re-encode them to MPEG1 (VCD) or DivX. Advanced functionality can be found in the context menus.

What's New in This Release:

•  Added: Ability to Import / Export PSL (Protected Sectors List) files (Option is located in the 'File' menu). Users can work out the best methods to backup certain 'problem' discs

•  Added: Dialog box to remind users to load the MDS file instead of the ISO file - it's good practice and is vital for nice DL burns

•  Changed: Structure Protection code to find more instances of 'suspect' areas on the disc

•  Changed: Some of the Automatic 'Transfer Length' code. It now checks for additional possible errors in the output from the API call

•  Changed: Previous workaround for Plextor PX-712A authentication problem caused problems for old drives that hang on a 'Rezero' command (Status bar always displayed 'Almost Ready'). The command now only runs on Plextor DVDR drives

•  Fixed: Access violation errors caused by nasty IFO files on some of the newer discs

•  Fixed: 'Browse' was always visible in the 'File' menu

•  Fixed: Potential issue with getting the disc size from the ISO9660 file system (only used in ISO Read mode on DVD+RW discs)

•  Fixed: 'Cracking CSS' dialog box showed very inaccurate progress information

•  Fixed: CSS cracking was repeating itself on files it shouldn't have been

•  What's new: Advanced functionality can be found in the context menus!"
  
   (excerpt from Soft32.com)

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6. WinSock Fix: (Freeware)

WinSock Fix repairs your internet explorer. Winsock fix offers a last remedy if your Internet connectivity has been corrupted because of damaged or deleted registry entries. Winsock can often correct problems that are encountered after improver removal of spyware or adware programs that make your internet connectivity to stop functioning. It also has a feature to backup your registry before you allow Winsock to fix your internet connectivity. It’s a small program that restores your Winsock settings back to default and is also free of cost.    

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7. Google Toolbar with Pop Up Blocker: (Freeware)

The Google toolbar gets attached with your Internet Explorer browser so that you don't have to visit Google next time you want to make a search. It also has a pop up blocker attached to it so you can kill annoying pop ups from most of the websites. Another great feature includes 'Auto Fill' forms with just a click of a button. Automatic updates - no need to install upgrades.
 

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8. Picasa (Freeware)

"A free software download from Google.
Picasa is software that helps you instantly find, edit and share all the pictures on your PC. Every time you open Picasa, it automatically locates all your pictures (even ones you forgot you had) and sorts them into visual albums organized by date with folder names you will recognize. You can drag and drop to arrange your albums and make labels to create new groups. Picasa makes sure your pictures are always organized.

Picasa also makes advanced editing simple by putting one-click fixes and powerful effects at your fingertips. And Picasa makes it a snap to share your pictures – you can email, print photos home, make gift CDs, instantly share via Hello™, and even post pictures on your own blog. "

• (excerpt from Developer)

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9. Ad-Aware SE Personal edition: (Freeware)

"Product Description

•  Scans fixed and removable drives, memory and Windows registry

• Detects known and unknown variants of malware by using the Code Sequence Identification (CSI) technology

• Removes aggressive spyware and malicious content

• Takes advantage of a fully featured quarantine support

• Logs information about scans and malicious content removals
  
  Benefits:

•  Users of Ad-Aware Personal can efficiently remove behavior-tracking spyware; thus protecting your privacy on the Internet

• Enhances your computer's performance by protecting against bandwidth stealing programs

• Provides greater computer security by removing keyloggers and other programs, which put passwords, credit card numbers, and other vulnerable data at risk online

• Allows you to stay abreast of spyware, not just a step behind, thanks to the Code Sequence Identification (CSI) technology"  (excerpt from Developer)

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10. Spybot Search and Destroy: (Freeware)

This program detects and removes different kinds of spyware from your computer. Its highly honed detection process uses a constantly updated definitions database to identify and disable the most  irritating spyware from your computer. This program prevents marketing companies from gathering information about your Web surfing and purchasing habits, and selling it to advertisers.

"Spybot - Search and Destroy can detect and remove spyware of different kinds from your computer. Spyware is a relatively new kind of threat that common anti-virus applications do not yet cover. If you see new toolbars in your Internet Explorer that you didn't intentionally install, if your browser crashes, or if you browser start page has changed without your knowing, you most probably have spyware. But even if you don't see anything, you may be infected, because more and more spyware is emerging that is silently tracking your surfing behavior to create a marketing profile of you that will be sold to advertisement companies. Spybot-S&D is free, so there's no harm in trying to see if something snooped into your computer, too :)

Spybot-S&D can also clean usage tracks, an interesting function if you share your computer with other users and don't want them to see what you worked on. And for professional users, it allows to fix some registry inconsistencies and extended reports. A list of features is available if you click on features."  (excerpt from Developer)

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