Need Photo Editing Software

Hi,
I'm new to Windows 7. I got the Windows 7 Professional to make it compatible with other PCs I have on our home network. I use Picture It! on Windows XP. I believe I have read that there are difficulties using it with Windows 7 even Windows 7 Professional.
So, what program would you recommend?
I take pictures of 3 dimensional artwork, upload it from the camera to the PC, and always crop, sometimes adjust brightness, contrast, and blur, and always resize to the required format for the art festival I am applying to. Sometimes upload to Zapp with the required black background to make all pictures the same size when viewed by judges.

So I think I'm looking for a 'basic' program. I'm not adding or wanting to change anything in the picture.

Thanks,

Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 is a very popular program. The free Google "Picasa" will do some basic photo editing. I personally don't like GIMP, I have yet to figure it out.

Thanks,

Photoscape was recommended on a different search I did, I downloaded it while still reading about it, didn't install because it said it was for Vista - unless there's a patch/update?
DownloadCnet had a couple but thought I'd check in here first.

Thanks

IRFANVIEW it may look basic but actually packs a hell of a punch

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