Essential Softwares for Windows XP®

If you are using Windows XP on your system, you need some extra tools to keep it running in optimum speed and good condition. After installation of XP, you also need to install some must have programs to see that your PC is up-to-date. So here goes the big list of all must-have programs recommended by me.

Disclaimer: Please go through respective program's license policy before use. Most of the listed items are free for personal use only.

Antivirus Software

If you are running Windows XP without a antivirus program, you are in trouble. Antivirus program is essential for your PC. There are thousands of virus in the computer world. These transmit from one PC to other in many ways. Internet is the major transmitter. Downloads from internet and even improper browsing habits is suspectible to virus infection. Removable media's like Pen drive, CD, Floppy can also transmitt virus. So your PC needs a antivirus program which will be scanning each and every file that gets into your PC. In other words, you need a antivirus software which has On-access scanner. It remains active and keeps scanning your PC. Due to this, antivirus program will use some of your system resources. But since it is essential, you need to choose an effective antivirus program which also uses mimimal system resources.

If your PC is connected to internet, I recommend AOL Active Virus Shield.

AOL Active Virus Shield

AOL Active Shield is a free antivirus program for personal use. It uses world's popular Kaspersky antivirus engine and also hourly updates. It has On-Access Scanner and automatic updates. It works with Windows 98, 2000, ME & XP.

Download : Active Virus Shield

You need to provide your email ID for download. This is not for spamming. AOL will send "Registration Key" to your email ID. This key is required to activate the antivirus program. As of now, AOL doesn't provide updates in the form of downloads. Antivirus program directly gets updated through automatic updates. Hence this suits for PC connected to Internet.

For PC's not connected to internet, I recommend avast! home edition.

avast! Home Edition

avast! is another good free antivirus program for personal use. It is VB100 and ICSA lab certified program. It has automatic updates. Executable updates can be downloaded from the website and accordingly avast! can be updated in a internet connectionless PC. It can work on Windows 95, 98, ME, NT 4 (No server), 2000 (No server), XP and Vista

Download: avast! Home Edition

avast! will run on your PC without "Registration Key" for 60-days. Later on one need to get a free registration key by providing email ID. avast! will send the registration key free to the email ID.

For obtaining free registration key, visit the registration page.

Important Note: Never install two or more antivirus programs. It will make system highly unstable and decrease performance.

Antispyware Software

Spyware are rapidly spreading around and pose more threat these days. Increase in on-line activity like Internet banking, emails with sensitive info etc have accelerated the number of spyware on web. Spyware is a program installed in a computer to leak out personal info like email account passwords, Internet banking passwords etc or to take control of the PC remotely without the users knowledge. Hence the name "Spy". So you need a On-Access scanner. In the free segment, there are less players giving this option. But I have chosen some best combo for your PC.

Windows® Defender

Windows Defender is a free program with On-Access scanner. It protects your computer against pop-ups and security threats caused by spyware and other potentially unwanted software. It supports Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 and Windows XP Service Pack 2

Download: Windows® Defender

Windows Defender is available for free download to users running genuine Windows.

Spybot- Search & Destroy

Spybot S&D detects and removes spyware. It doesn't have On-Access scanner. Hence there will be no problem installing it with Windows Defender. It supports Windows 95, 98, ME. NT, 2000, 2003, XP, Vista, PE, Mobile, Linux and Unix.

Download: Spybot-S & D

After installation, you need to manually update the definitions.

Firewall Software

A firewall program protects your PC from unauthorized remote log-in of your system in network. If your PC is connected to internet, a firewall is essential. Else all your data in the computer can be accessed by unethical hackers via network connection. All though Windows XP comes with a in-built firewall, I still suggest to install a good external firewall. I recommend Comodo Free Firewall.

Comodo Free Firewall

Comodo Firewall is one of the best free firewall program that offers good protection from intruders. It supports Windows 2000, XP and 2003.

Download: Comodo Free Firewall

VLC Player

This is a highly portable media player which plays almost all video and audio formats. It can also be used as a server in unicast or in IPv4 or IPv6 on a high-bandwidth network. It supports Windows, Linux and Mac platforms. Hence it is named as VLC LAN Player.

Download: VLC Player

K-lite Codec Pack

Many times you might have come across instances when your media player refuses to play certain video and audio files due to lack of codec. Codecs are needed for Media players to play video and audio files. Due to copyright issues, not all media players come bundled with all codecs. Hence there is a requirement of a all-in-one package which will get rid of codec problems. K-lite is one such codec pack which is absolutely free and highly rated on internet.

Download: K-lite Codec Pack

Ccleaner

Windows leaves behind loads of unwanted files upon time. Installation and uninstallation of programs also leaves behind unwanted registry entries which will slow down the system considerably. So one needs to have a crap cleaner and registry cleaner installed. Ccleaner is one such good freeware. It removes junk unwanted and temporary files and also invalid registry entries. Run Ccleaner atleast one in a week to keep your system clean.

Download: Ccleaner

Microsoft .NET Framework

One should have Microsoft.Net Framework for running most of the web-based programs as well as websites. Make sure you have installed these:

Download: Version 1.1 and Version 2.0

Java

Now-a-days, many websites use java plug-in for playing games, adding interactive content etc. These applications are written in the Java programming language and are termed as "applets". One should have this installed to experience the internet world.

Download: Java

Adobe Flash Player

Many websites and programs add flash content to make it interactive and eye catching. Hence you should have this installed to see that you don't miss out something. Certain program installations itself uses flash player.

Download: Adobe Flash Player

Winrar

This is a file compression utility alternative to Winzip. Winrar can open Winzip files too. But Winrar compressed files can't be opened by Winzip. Now-a-days, people exchange data using Winrar. Many internet downloads are winrar based. Hence it makes sense to have it.

Download: Winrar

Open Office Suite

This is a alternative solution to Microsoft Office Suite. Open Office is a free suite which can open all MS office files. It is not rich in features as compared to the popular MS Office. People who can't afford MS Office can go for this free suite.

Download: Open Office Suite

Irfan View

This is a good image viewer very popular world wide. It supports all image formats.

Download: Irfan View