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New PC setup

*. Prepare SARDU USB drive with CloneZilla/GParted/PartedMagic/UBCD4Win/Hiren’s/Mint

Double driver backup factory drivers
CloneZilla image factory setup
Create partitions for:

C: Factory
D: WinXP
E: Files
F: XPInstall
G: ISO
Leave empty non-partitioned space for future use

0. A partition that contains the Windows installation DVD (see https://ntri.wordpress.com/os-utils-portable-apps/)

1. MVPS hosts file

2. Intrusion Detection (HIPS) using heuristics not signatures – such as WinPatrol (combined with MJ Registry Watcher)

To really ensure a clean system what you should be doing is practising “digital hygiene” by not visiting untrustworthy sites or opening untrustworthy emails, and by running a clean install of your OS by reformatting on a regular basis.  Don’t ever try to remove viruses once they are on your system; by then it is often too late.  This is why a traditional antivirus program doesn’t suit the enthusiast.  But for your friends and family who are basic computer users give Panda Cloud Antivirus a go.

3. Remote access – such as TeamViewer

4. PDF printer driver – such as doPDF

5. Cloud file storage – such as SugarSync

6. Media player – such as VLC

7. Compression software – 7Zip (IZarc or PeaZip are decent alternatives)

8. PDF reader – Foxit or PDF X-Change Viewer

9. Driver backup software to save time in the future – such as Double Driver

10. Free Download Manager

Apps I use frequently or find useful…

1. Skype

2. MakeMKV + Handbrake

3. ImgBurn + PowerISO

4. MediaMonkey

5. IrfanView, XnView or FastStone

6. Revo Uninstaller and CCleaner

7. Tonido

8. Cryptnote + AxCrypt + TrueCrypt

9. FreeFileSync and AutoVer

I don’t install…

1. Mail client – I use my tablet/phone for email checking these days and if I’m composing I’ll use the web client.

2. IM client – I use SMS, email or Skype now.  Some people use facebook.  I don’t see a role for a dedicated IM client anymore.

3. Torrent client – I use put.io.  Usenet is better anyway.

4. Imaging software – I should reformat my PC regularly and am happy to install from scratch with the latest OS updates.  However, for friends and family, making an image will speed up the process of helping them restore their PC (using software such as Macrium Reflect).

5. MP3 player – Slowly but surely my music listening has moved off the PC onto portable players and the cloud.