I tottaly understand you. Most of the software today sucks. PERIOD. If we want to install a single drivers for a printer, that piece of **** will download hotfixes, add shortcuts, create registry entries on the run folders, etc, etc. For a couple of months I have been choosing "alternative" software for my task, thats the best way to keep things smooth and running. As for firewall, I DONT CARE WHAT ANYONE SAYS, it depends if you need it or not. I dont use Anti-Virus, I dont use Firewall, Intrusion Detection Systems nor all of that stuff that was made to keep our PCs safe. As long as the users knows what he/she is doing, there is no need for that stuff. If you want to go extreme with just Windows default (built-in) stuff, go to TCP/IP Properties and start filtering ports. (I am currently making a list of ports used by the application installed on my computer, so I can then allow only them)