old thread... so let's go quick Firewall: Outpost Pro 2.11 Anti-Virus: BitDefender 7.2 Advanced Windows Tuning (software like tweakXP): Xtech X-Setup Pro 6.6 Download Utilities: Getright 5.1 or Firefox download manager, for p2p ABC and edonkey 0.52 E-Mail: none, a browser for html code, hotmail and gmail Webdesign: notepad Graphics Development: Photoshop CS (8) of course Hard-Drive optimization tools (defraggers for example): this is tricky, Windows default or VoptXP for defrag Windows error Checking (Like Norton Utilities): Scandisk (looking others...) Antything else that comes to mind: a lot, ACDSee classic, **** info viewer, BSPlayer, Gordian Knot, virtual dub mod, mother board monitor, sandra2004, stardock apps, nero 6...