Recommended Software
Installations are generally in the order of the list.
Restart computer after each new software installation.
Updated May 06, 2013
Windows XP (5.1) Service Pack 3 support ends April 8, 2014
Windows Vista (6.0) Service Pack 2
Window 7 (6.1) Service Pack 1
Window 8 (6.2)
Tax Time ?
FREE StudioTax 2012 is income tax preparation and filing software. CRA certified
Use CRA "Quick Access" to view your tax return status, RRSP deduction limit, your TFSA contribution room.
Window 8 Users
How to put a Start button back on your taskbar. Classic Shell 3.6
Drivers:
Chipset:
VIA
Intel
Tools: Intel Driver Update Utility detects which driver updates are relevant to your computer
SIS
CPU:
AMD important for Dual Core and others
Tools: CPU-Z 1.6 provides information about your CPU, Cache, Motherboard and Memory (free)
Video:
NVidia
ATI Caution (XP-Only): The Catalyst™ Control Center requires that the Microsoft .NET Framework version 2.0 be installed. See "Release Notes" for more information.
Tools: GPU-Z 0.6 provides information about your installed video card(s) (free)
Motherboard (NIC, audio, video):
GigaByte
Asus
RealTek - NIC
RealTek - Audio
Internet Explorer
IE8 for XP is the world's most popular Web browser. View IE8 Install/Setup Images
IE9 for Vista
IE10 for Windows 7
Google Search click "Add to Internet Explorer" View Settings Image 1. In IE go to Tools | Manage add-ons | Search Providers View Settings Image 2
Start | Settings | Control panel | Add/Remove Programs | Add/Remove Window Components
Uncheck "MSN Explorer" (XP only)
After IE8 is installed, uncheck "Windows Messenger" (XP only)
Windows XP folder View - important enhancement ! (XP only)
Start | Settings | Control panel | Folder Options | File Types | Click "(NONE) Folder" to highlight it | Advanced | Click "explore" | Set Default
Windows Vista and 7 folder View - important enhancement ! (Vista and 7 only)
How to stop the ever-changing view type for various folders in Windows Vista Explorer. Read this
Windows 7 folder View
How to Remove "Favorites" "Libraries" and "Homegroup" from Windows 7 Explorer's Navigation Pane.
Windows 7 Quick Launch
How to get the "Quick Launch" Toolbar and "Show Desktop Icon" and other shortcuts Back.
Windows 8 Start Button
How to put a Start button back on your taskbar. Classic Shell 3.6 or Regedit.
Anti Call Home:
xp-AntiSpy Setup English 3.97 after install
View Settings Image 1 Image 2 Image 3 (free - XP only)
Network Time Protocol (NTP):
time.nrc.ca Time by National Research Council of Canada
High-priority updates:
Start | Settings | Control panel | Automatic Updates |
Select "Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them." after a fresh load. Return this to automatic after all update are installed.
When you are notified ("Gold Shield" appears) open the shield, select "Custom Install" and select the desired updates and install.
(recommend installing seven to ten at a time, not 75 at once, starting with the smaller KB #s first)
Anti Virus:
Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2013, 3 PCs / 1yr License. (Do Not use the disc, download the latest 2013 KAV), only buy on sale for $20 at Future Shop, only buy on sale for $20 at Best Buy, only buy on sale for $20 at Staples or less
or Kaspersky Internet Security 2013 with Parental Controls, 3 PCs / 1yr License. ( Do Not use the disc, download the latest 2013 KIS), only buy on sale for $30 at Future Shop, only buy on sale for $30 at Best Buy, only buy on sale for $30 at Staples or less
or BitDefender Antivirus Plus 2013 1 PCs / 1yr License. Rated #1 by AV-Comparatives.org, on sale for $5 at Download Crew
or BitDefender Antivirus Plus 2013 3 PCs / 1yr License. Rated #1 by AV-Comparatives.org, on sale for $16 at Download Crew
or BitDefender Free
Do Not use Microsoft Security Essentials 4. I have repaired to many infections with this light weight package installed.
Tools:
Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool can be installed to an infected machine (Safe Mode (F8) supported). (free)
Kaspersky Rescue Disk 10 creates a Boot CD that can update and then scan and disinfect x86 and x64-compatible computers. (free)
AVG Rescue CD creates a Boot CD that can update and then scan and disinfect x86 and x64-compatible computers. (free)
Stinger 11 a stand-alone utility used to detect and remove the today's top 40 viruses. When downloading select "Open", not Save. (free)
Web Tools:
House Call a web based Anti Virus scanner that runs in your Web Browser to double check your system. (free)
VirSCAN an on-line file scanner service, which checks uploaded files for malware, using many antivirus engines (free)
AV-Comparatives is an Austrian Non-Profit-Organization, which is providing independent Anti-Virus software tests free to the public. Also see TopTen Reviews.
Anti Malware:
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.7
DirectX Updates:
DirectX (Jun 10) includes all the latest and previous released bi-monthly D3DX, XInput, and Managed DirectX runtime components. Once extracted run DXSETUP. (free - XP only)
Internet Browser Support:
Shockwave 12 (free)
Flash 11 uncheck "install Chrome as my default browser and Google Toolbar" (free - recommended)
Shockwave / Flash Test
Java 1.7 (32-bit) is required for some applications and online games (free - recommended)
Java Test
QuickTime Lite 4 enables you to play QTime files (.mov .qt .3gp and other extensions) without the overhead of the QT player. free - do NOT install if iTunes 10 is being installed (free - optional)
QuickTime Test
SharePod is an alternative to iTunes
Silverlight 5 (free - optional)
E-mail:
Client
Windows Live Mail is the latest release of Outlook Express/Windows Mail. During install, uncheck everything but WLM.
Servers:
Gmail is independant of your Internet Service Provider. Once you've enabled POP or IMAP in Gmail, you can configure your mail clients and mobile devices to synchronize with your Gmail. (free)
Telus email configuration (try IMAP)
Shaw email configuration (no IMAP) Routers and Shaw Server Names
Webmail:
Gmail mail.google.com
Telus webmail.telus.net
Shaw webmail.shaw.ca
Email to Text:
Telus Email a text message to any TELUS Mobility client by using this format: 10digitphonenumber@msg.telus.com (i.e. 4168730000@msg.telus.com). Type your text in the message body. Note: 160 characters max.
Rogers Email a text message to any ROGERS client by using this format: 10digitphonenumber@pcs.rogers.com
(i.e. 4168730000@pcs.rogers.com) Type your text in the message body. Note: 160 characters max.
Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Presentations:
LibreOffice 4 is an alternative to MS Office or Works, compatible with Word / Excel / PowerPoint files. View Setup Images (free - recommended)
PowerPoint Viewer 14 enables you to view full-featured presentations created in PowerPoint. SP1 (free - recommended)
Backup:
How to backup and recover Outlook Express data Contacts, Account and Folders (Inbox, Outbox, ...)
How to import and export the Internet Explorer Favorites
iDrive Basic 5 Gig of Online Backup (free) Wow
FreeFileSync 5 is an folder comparison and synchronization tool.
Image Viewing / Editing:
ACDSee Free 1 (free)
ACDSee 15 (pay)
Portable Data Format (PDF) Document Reader:
Foxit Reader 6 (free)
System Clean Up:
CCleaner 4-Slim before install View Install Image then after install View Setup Image (free)
File Compression/Decompression:
7-Zip 9.2 enables you to open and extract 30 kinds of archives, including .zip and .rar. After install View Setup Image (free)
Password Manager:
RoboForm 7 is an encrypted automated password manager and web form filler for a 1-click website login. (free - limited to 10 logins)
Password Agent Lite 2.6 is an encrypted password manager. (free - limited to 25 entries)
DVD / CD / Blu-ray Burning:
CDBurnerXP 4.5 enables you to burn CD / DVD / Blu-ray discs for files, audio and images. (free)
DVD / CD Drive Firmware Update:
LiteOn
LG select Divice Driver
Pioneer
Philips
Toshiba
or Firmware HQ
Tools:
DVD Identifier 5.2.0 interprets the pre-recorded information that is present on DVD media to accurately identify your disc's REAL manufacturer. (free)
Video Player / Codecs:
VLC media player 2 plays most codecs with no codec packs needed: MPEG-2, DivX, H.264, MKV, WebM, WMV, MP3...
K-Lite Codec Pack 9 Basic is required for Divx , Xvid play. Before install View Install Images (free)
DVD Ripper / Backup:
DVDFab HD Decrypter 8 decrypts and copies an entire DVD 9 or HD movie to your hard disk. (free)
CD Ripper:
FreeRip Basic extracts audio tracks from CD to MP3, WAV, WMA, FLAC and OGG Vorbis. (free)
File Sharing (Peer to Peer - P2P):
FrostWire 5 is a Limewire (free/pay)
Bit Torrent (Peer to Peer - P2P) Client:
uTorrent 3 AKA: MicroTorrent, before install View Install Images then after install View Setup Image(free)
Tutorials:
A guide to Bit Torrents
FAQs
Torrent Search Engines:
Mininova
Torrent Reactor
The Pirate Bay
Movies:
ReleaseLog
TV:
ezRSS
eztv.it
showrss by configuring an RSS-compatible client like uTorrent with the feed, all shows will downloaded automatically when they become available. More here.
Tools:
NFO Reader 2.10.0032.RC3 is an utility for viewing text files containing ASCII Art (free) More here.
Peer Block 1.1 or PeerGuardian 2 IP blocker for Windows making it the safest and easiest way to protect your privacy on P2P (free)
epguides.com
Voice Over IP (VOIP) Client:
Skype 6 (free)
Skype (owned by Microsoft) replaces Microsoft Windows Live Messenger March 15 2013.
Available in a cordless phone.
Web Feeds (XML, RSS, Atom, OPML ):
Klipfolio
5 (free)
Pod casting
Juice 2.2 (FAQs) (free)
Search Engines:
Podcast Search Engine
Net News Transfer Protocol (NNTP):
NNTP Servers:
Tweaknews.eu in the Netherlands
News Hosting includes free client software
NNTP Client software:
NewsLeecher 5 including Super Search (pay)
Tutorials:
A Guide to News Groups
Tools:
NFO Reader 2.10.0032.RC3 is an utility for viewing text files containing ASCII Art (free)
QuickPar2v0.9.1 is used to verify that a set of files have not been corrupted or to reconstruct damaged files. (free)
QuickSFV 2.36 is a small and fast Simple File Verification program. (free)
Search Engines:
Audio Search Engine Search the Usenet Newsgroups for audio files
Binaries Search Engine Search the Usenet Newsgroups for all binary files
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Client:
FileZilla 3 (free)
System Control:
Win Patrol 28 (free)
Optional
Managed code programming model:
DotNet Framework 3.5 redist (Full Redistributable Package) includes .NET Framework 2.0 service pack 1 and .NET Framework 3.0 service pack 1
Fun
Google Earth
View geographical and astronomical imagery, 3D buildings, maps, and local business information.
Google SketchUp 8
A powerful yet easy-to-learn 3D software tool-set with an intelligent drawing system that streamlines and simplifies 3D design.
StudioTax 2012 Canada's free tax program and NETFILE certified. (free)
Diagnostic Tools
Speakeasy - Speed Test (Seattle) or Shaw Speed Test
Shaw - Lite - Up to 1.5 Mbps, 30 GB data/month - Typical Download Speed: - kbps (124 KB/sec transfer rate) Upload Speed: - kbps (- KB/sec transfer rate) - $--/month for 6 months, $39/month regular price, Yes it is available.
High Speed 10 - 10 Mbps, 125 GB data/month - Typical Download Speed: - kbps (- KB/sec transfer rate) Upload Speed: - kbps (- KB/sec transfer rate) - $--/month for 6 months, $50/month regular price.
High Speed 20 - 20 Mbps, 200 GB data/month - Typical Download Speed: - kbps (- KB/sec transfer rate) Upload Speed: - kbps (- KB/sec transfer rate) - $--/month for 6 months, $55/month regular price.
Telus - High Speed Lite - Typical Download Speed: 1000 kbps ( ? KB/sec transfer rate) Upload Speed: 256 kbps ( ? KB/sec transfer rate) - $25/month for 6 months, $25/month
High Speed - 1.5 to 6.0 Mbps, 150 GB data/month - Typical Download Speed: 2861 kbps (357.6 KB/sec transfer rate) Upload Speed: 563 kbps (70.4 KB/sec transfer rate) - $25/month for 6 months, $37/month regular price when bundled with any other Telus service.
High Speed Turbo - 10.0 to 15.0 Mbps, 250 GB data/month - Typical Download Speed: ? kbps ( ? KB/sec transfer rate) Upload Speed: ? kbps ( ? KB/sec transfer rate) - $25/month for 6 months, $47/month regular price when bundled with any other Telus service.
Belarc Advisor 8.2 provides a detailed profile of your installed software and hardware. (free)
ISO CD / DVD Burning Tool
Active@ ISO Burner 2.5 is a simple-to-use dialog-style software to burn CD/DVD/Blue Ray ISO images (Memory Test and HD Test below) compatible with the ISO 9660 standard. Not required if you have Nero or CD Burner XP. (free)
Memory Test:
Memtest86+ v4.2 is a stand alone memory test for x86 architecture computers. (Creates a Boot disk or CD) (free)
Hard Drive Test: (free)
Seagate, Maxtor and Quantum
SeaTools for DOS 1.10 (text) (Creates a Boot disk or Boot CD) Parallel ATA (PATA and IDE) and Serial ATA (SATA)
SeaTools for Windows 1.2.0.1 USB, 1394, ATA (PATA/IDE), SATA and SCSI drives
Western Digital
DLG Diagnostics 5.04f (Creates a Boot disk or Boot CD)
DLG Diagnostics 2.8 (4.15) for old drives (Requires a Boot disk)
Hitachi / IBM
Drive Fitness Test 4.16 (Creates a Boot disk or Boot CD)
Samsung
Hutil 2.10 (Creates a Boot disk or Boot CD)
Fujitsu
Diagnostic Tool 7.00 (Requires a DOS Boot disk)
More
KillDisk Hard Drive Eraser is powerful and compact Boot CD that allows you to destroy all data on your hard drive. (free)
Partition Manager:
Easeus Partition Master Home Edition 9 is a partition solution and disk management utility that can resize, move, merge, split, extend, convert your hard drive. (free)
Virtual Network Connection:
RealVNC 4.1.3 enables your mouse and keyboard to control an other PC remotely. View Install Image Click here for Download (free - recommended)
UltraVNC 1.08 enables your mouse and keyboard to control an other PC remotely. (free)
