The software I list here are my recommendations on the software you should install to keep your Windows based system in tip-top shape. This includes virus protection, spyware protection, browsers, and some ways to clean out the junk that slows down your system. Please comment with your suggestions.

Antivirus Software

As far as antivirus, I’ve had the best success over the years with Norton’s antivirus product. I’ve also used Grisoft’s AVG a few times, and it seems to work well. The Norton software is a paid system while AVG is available as a free version and a more fully featured paid version.

Buy Norton Antivirus from Amazon

Buy AVG Antivirus from Amazon

Get AVG Free from avg.com

Spyware Protection

When choosing software to use for spyware protection, it’s important that you choose brand name software that is frequently updated. The application should also be easy to use and unobtrusive to your normal computer business. For this I recommend you install two programs simultaneously. Both are available for free, and one with an option to upgrade. First, Spybot. Spybot does not offer any real-time protection against spyware but has an extensive spyware database and does well with actually removing the spyware’s files from your system. Second, Lavasoft’s Ad-aware is updated more frequently, and offers basic real-time protection in the free version. A paid version offers a more comprehensive solution. You should run scans with these applications frequently (weekly should do it). Download sites below.

Spybot – Search and Destroy

Lavasoft Ad-aware

Buy the paid version of Ad-Aware from Amazon

Browsers

I have only a few suggestions as far as browsers go. First, keep the browser that you are using updated. You want a browser that is customizable and snappy, and for that I swear by Firefox. Firefox has TONS of plugins which make the browser yours, with only the features that you want. It’s also one of the fastest. Download Firefox and give it a try. It even lets you import your bookmarks and other settings from the browser you’re using now.

Download Firefox

Cleaning your system

The answer to this one is called CCleaner (short for Crap Cleaner). This will (optionally) clean out A-Z of junk on your computer including browser history, temporary files, cookies, you name it! I’ve used this on nearly every system I’ve ever worked on. Just download, install, pick what you want cleaned, and you’re done.

Download CCleaner

Stop loading unnecessary start-up programs

For WinXP/Vista systems, use the built in system configuration utility to stop programs from loading during system startup. To start the system configuration utility, press the windows key on your keyboard at the same time as the “r” key. In the run dialog, type “msconfig” without the quotes. Select the startup tab to view all of the programs that start with your computer. Be careful as to not uncheck any programs you may use. To determine if a startup item is necessary, simply Google it. You should be able to find enough information on the program to determine if you need it or not. If you aren’t sure, contact an expert or leave it run.

Note: After running the msconfig utility, the next time your computer starts up, a dialog will pop up asking if you’d like to run the system configuration utility. Simply check the “Don’t show this message…” checkbox and it’ll go away.