When setting up a new desktop computer or laptop, here is the list of software and services I recommend. Some of these configurations require a degree of technical knowledge so proceed with caution.
Anti-Virus Software - AVG Free [2].
Back up - Mozy Free. My Documents, bookmarks and Word documents will now be automatically backed up.
Hard Drive Optimized and Defragmented - CCleaner & JkDefrag
Bloatware removed - Revo Uninstaller
Security - Secunia [3], Windows Defender and Spybot S&D [4]
System Monitoring Software and Utilities- Glary Utilities, WinPatrol
Added Remote Access Software - Crossloop
Browser - I also recommend not using Internet Explorer
I like Chrome [5] and Firefox [6]
Links:
[1] http://www.metavisual.com/new-computer-checklist
[2] http://free.avg.com
[3] http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/
[4] http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
[5] http://www.google.com/chrome
[6] http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/