Your Windows Basics

DS · 06-13-2006, 02:15 PM

These are a list of programs that will help your computer become quicker and cleaner and will help you replace those big and slow programs like Adobe Reader. These will be in no particular order but I will give a link and explain them as best I can.

Spyware Doctor - Link
In my experience, this is one of the best at actually getting rid of most of your threats. It will find things that the majority of spyware programs will miss. It's removal skills come at a price and that is the disk size. It will take 16.27MB compared to Adaware with 6.28MB.

Adaware SE - Link
For a lighter, still impressive, spyware remover, you can't go wrong with Adaware. Again, this will run you about 6.28MB.

Tuneup Utilities 2006 - Link
A lot of people don't have a basic cleaner on their computer and you should. This will help get rid of all your excess files that you don't need and help you save some space. It also fixes your registry, will compact it, and get you running a little more quickly. 18.50MBs.

WinASO Registry Optimizer - Link
In case you want to clean your registry a little more, this will get the job done. It also has a lighter disk cleaner that will clean your Firefox/IE caches with it. This will only cost you 7MBs of space.

PerfectDisk 7 - Link
People will run spyware scans frequently but a lot of people forget about defragmenting their computers. This will help your computer run a lot more smoothly and can even schedule to defrag when you want. A small 4.88MB.

µTorrent - Link
This is most likely going to depend on your preference but this is the smallest BitTorrent program I have found that does the job and does it well. Only going to run you .23MB.

7zip - Link
Most people stick with WinZip or the basic Windows zipping. No good. While I love WinRAR and would still suggest that, 7zip covers all the frequent file types, compresses better, and is smaller. 7zip will run you 2.89MB.

AVG Free - Link
Probably the best choice for virus protection out there right now. And it's free. This will run you about 25MB if I'm correct.

CD Burner XP - Link
A good alternative for those of you that don't want Nero's bulky software. 25.75MB but compared to Nero's 100+...you save a lot.

DVD Shrink - Link
For those of you that burn DVDs, this will get the job done...the majority of the time. While you might run into some problems, in which case try to copy with AnyDVD, this is the overall better package. This will only run you 1.54MB.

Firefox - Link
Everyone probably knows the story here but it's a good browser. While those of you with Windows XP might like the new IE7 Beta, this is a good alternative away from Internet Explorer. Around 4.9MB according to the Firefox website. My computer shows 19.57MB.

Thunderbird - Link
Good alternative away from Microsoft Outlook. All the basic features and more including spam blocker (which works great) and phishing filter. 23.08MB.

Gaim - Link
For those of you who have multi-IM programs. This is the best I have found and has great features. Version 2 has features like Direct Connection and is promised to have things like video/voice chat but as of now it's a great, lightweight alternative to opening all those programs. Especially for those of you who have them all launch at startup. 13.70MB which is only 2MB over AIM itself.

Notepad2 - Link
Just for those of you who want a little more from Notepad. Not a big deal really.

OpenOffice - Link
This is your alternative to Microsoft Office. It's a free version by the people who distribute Java and it works really well. It is quite heavy at 225MB but it's a free version of Office. Not too bad.

Quicktime Alternative - Link
This will let you get rid of that huge Quicktime and will takes it place. It lets you do pretty much everything you could with Quicktime but it's smaller. A lot smaller. Only .79MB compared to Quicktime at 66.68MB. You be the judge.

Real Alternative - Link
Just like the Quicktime Alternative, this is the version for Real. Only 15.07MB WITH the Media Player Classic installed. No need for it and would probably cut down on size a lot.

Foxit Reader - Link
For those of you who have ever had to use Adobe Reader. Instead of stalling your machine and wasting hard drive space, this alternative will launch nearly instantly and only cost you 2.58MB. Top quality.

Windows Media Player 11 - Link
Here, again, is a choice based on preference. Those of you with XP and looking for a little more visual media player experience, the beta of WMP11 is your best bet. It looks nice, plays nice, and overall a good experience. Not sure on the exact size but I'd say around 25MB.

iTunes - Link
While iTunes is going to have to stay for those of you with an iPod, I'd say WMP11 still has a better experience.

If you stick with a lot of these programs, you will get some quicker, lighter, and overall better experiences with some of your most frequent programs. If I find some more later, I'll pass them on or if you have any requests of programs that you'd like an alternative to, I'd be happy to look.

06-13-2006, 02:15 PM	#1
DS look at that hat Posts: 4,520	Your Windows Basics These are a list of programs that will help your computer become quicker and cleaner and will help you replace those big and slow programs like Adobe Reader. These will be in no particular order but I will give a link and explain them as best I can. Spyware Doctor - Link In my experience, this is one of the best at actually getting rid of most of your threats. It will find things that the majority of spyware programs will miss. It's removal skills come at a price and that is the disk size. It will take 16.27MB compared to Adaware with 6.28MB. Adaware SE - Link For a lighter, still impressive, spyware remover, you can't go wrong with Adaware. Again, this will run you about 6.28MB. Tuneup Utilities 2006 - Link A lot of people don't have a basic cleaner on their computer and you should. This will help get rid of all your excess files that you don't need and help you save some space. It also fixes your registry, will compact it, and get you running a little more quickly. 18.50MBs. WinASO Registry Optimizer - Link In case you want to clean your registry a little more, this will get the job done. It also has a lighter disk cleaner that will clean your Firefox/IE caches with it. This will only cost you 7MBs of space. PerfectDisk 7 - Link People will run spyware scans frequently but a lot of people forget about defragmenting their computers. This will help your computer run a lot more smoothly and can even schedule to defrag when you want. A small 4.88MB. µTorrent - Link This is most likely going to depend on your preference but this is the smallest BitTorrent program I have found that does the job and does it well. Only going to run you .23MB. 7zip - Link Most people stick with WinZip or the basic Windows zipping. No good. While I love WinRAR and would still suggest that, 7zip covers all the frequent file types, compresses better, and is smaller. 7zip will run you 2.89MB. AVG Free - Link Probably the best choice for virus protection out there right now. And it's free. This will run you about 25MB if I'm correct. CD Burner XP - Link A good alternative for those of you that don't want Nero's bulky software. 25.75MB but compared to Nero's 100+...you save a lot. DVD Shrink - Link For those of you that burn DVDs, this will get the job done...the majority of the time. While you might run into some problems, in which case try to copy with AnyDVD, this is the overall better package. This will only run you 1.54MB. Firefox - Link Everyone probably knows the story here but it's a good browser. While those of you with Windows XP might like the new IE7 Beta, this is a good alternative away from Internet Explorer. Around 4.9MB according to the Firefox website. My computer shows 19.57MB. Thunderbird - Link Good alternative away from Microsoft Outlook. All the basic features and more including spam blocker (which works great) and phishing filter. 23.08MB. Gaim - Link For those of you who have multi-IM programs. This is the best I have found and has great features. Version 2 has features like Direct Connection and is promised to have things like video/voice chat but as of now it's a great, lightweight alternative to opening all those programs. Especially for those of you who have them all launch at startup. 13.70MB which is only 2MB over AIM itself. Notepad2 - Link Just for those of you who want a little more from Notepad. Not a big deal really. OpenOffice - Link This is your alternative to Microsoft Office. It's a free version by the people who distribute Java and it works really well. It is quite heavy at 225MB but it's a free version of Office. Not too bad. Quicktime Alternative - Link This will let you get rid of that huge Quicktime and will takes it place. It lets you do pretty much everything you could with Quicktime but it's smaller. A lot smaller. Only .79MB compared to Quicktime at 66.68MB. You be the judge. Real Alternative - Link Just like the Quicktime Alternative, this is the version for Real. Only 15.07MB WITH the Media Player Classic installed. No need for it and would probably cut down on size a lot. Foxit Reader - Link For those of you who have ever had to use Adobe Reader. Instead of stalling your machine and wasting hard drive space, this alternative will launch nearly instantly and only cost you 2.58MB. Top quality. Windows Media Player 11 - Link Here, again, is a choice based on preference. Those of you with XP and looking for a little more visual media player experience, the beta of WMP11 is your best bet. It looks nice, plays nice, and overall a good experience. Not sure on the exact size but I'd say around 25MB. iTunes - Link While iTunes is going to have to stay for those of you with an iPod, I'd say WMP11 still has a better experience. If you stick with a lot of these programs, you will get some quicker, lighter, and overall better experiences with some of your most frequent programs. If I find some more later, I'll pass them on or if you have any requests of programs that you'd like an alternative to, I'd be happy to look. Last edited by DS; 06-13-2006 at 07:33 PM.