Software for a new Vista Laptop?

[MPTech]

I just bought my daughter a new Dell laptop for college with Vista pre-loaded.

I'm brand new to Vista (kind of a die-hard XP guy).
What software would you suggest I load before sending her off? Since she's going away, I won't have the luxary of being able to fix her computer (kinda sad thinking about it).

I'd prefer the free versions, if possible.
With my XP machines, I always loaded:
Spybot S&D
AVG
CCleaner

[SpywareDr]

avast!
http://avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html

Comodo
(Install the Firewall only -- no AntiVirus)
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

MalwareBytes
http://majorgeeks.com/Malwarebytes_A...are_d5756.html

SpywareBlaster
http://www.majorgeeks.com/SpywareBlaster_d2859.html

SuperAntiSpyware
http://majorgeeks.com/SUPERAntiSpyware_d5116.html

ThreatFire
http://www.threatfire.com/download/

WinPatrol (May not need this with Vista?)
http://www.winpatrol.com/

CCleaner (Uncheck Yahoo! Toolbar when installing)
http://www.ccleaner.com/

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Adobe Reader (Uncheck Google Toolbar)
http://www.adobe.com/go/EN_US-H-GET-READER

Adobe Flash Player (Uncheck Google Toolbar)
http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/?promoid=BUIGP

Adobe Shockwave Player
http://get.adobe.com/shockwave/

Sun's Java (Uncheck MSN[?] Toolbar)
http://www.java.com/download

Mozilla Firefox
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/personal.html

Apple QuickTime
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/

Windows Media Player (version 11)
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win.../download.aspx

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If they do not have Microsoft Office installed, they may also need the following:

Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer 2007
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

Microsoft Word Viewer
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en

Microsoft Excel Viewer
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

Microsoft Visio Viewer 2007
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

After installing any of these, make sure you visit Microsoft Update and install any updates marked as Critical
http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/

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When done setting up their computer, visit the following two links and make sure everything is up-to-date:

Microsoft Update
http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/

Secunia Online Software Inspector
http://secunia.com/software_inspector/

[MPTech]

Terrific answer and VERY thorough! Thanks!
I'll start installing tonite!

[squid13]

If it's Vista 64 bit some of those programs will not work, like SuperAntiSpyware. If you have 64 bit you have to make sure it's compatible with it.

[Midknyte]

I'd rather use Foxit than Acrobat Reader.
http://www.foxitsoftware.com/downloads/index.php

VLC is a better media player than WMP.
http://videolan.org/vlc/

I prefer Avira to Avast, but Avast is pretty good.
http://www.free-av.com/

If you don't have MS Office, you can try OpenOffice.
http://www.openoffice.org/

[SpywareDr]

Terrific answer and VERY thorough! Thanks!
I'll start installing tonite!

You're welcome; And Thanks.