1. WindowsXP Pro
2. Drivers
3. Updates
4. set DPI, enable hibernation, setup explorer, disable error reporting
5. FireFox
6. other stuff

Drivers

• ATI

Security

• Kerio Personal Firewall - limited version is free
• McAfee Antivirus 4.5 - last version I know of before they went all Windows XP crazy

Microsoft

• Powertoys
  • TweakUI
• Office
  • Remove Hidden Data

Utilites

• metapad (replace notepad)
• CloneSpy (best duplicate file finder I've used)
• HTMLKit - HTML editor that can edit files thru FTP
• QuickPar
• mst IsUsedBy - Ever try to delete a file and windows says it can't? Find out what program forgot to close it with this program... and it'll probably be explorer.exe

Multimedia

• XviD
• Virtualdub
• Avisynth
• AutoGordianKnot
• Real Alternative
• Quicktime Alternative
• Mediaplayer Classic
• VideoLan
• winamp
• FLAC
• Monkey's audio
• ogg vorbis
• MP3 Book Helper
• IrfanView ChangeLog

Internet

• FireFox
• Thunderbird
• Sunfire
• gaim ChangeLog
• Nullsoft netmon
• UtilKit DLUL Meter (now called DU Meter and no freeware version)
• mIRC

Fun/Utility

• Changer XP - got bored of seeing the same stuff everytime I booted windows
• Konfabulator - WIDGETS

Web Authoring

• Photoshop/Imageready
• HTMLKit FREE
• FireFox with web dev extension FREE
• putty FREE
• FileZilla FREE
• SmartFTP FREE Don't really use it much anymore

Sites

SnapFiles A good source for freeware