What do you do or install after a fresh 7 OS install?

[PandaMarketer]

Hi. What do you do after a fresh windows 7 install to customize your computer? Aside from installing firefox, notepad++, filezilla etc, I always edit the folder options to show hidden files (except sys) and show extensions.

I also change the libraries.

What do you do?

 

[Dzomlija]

Hi. What do you do after a fresh windows 7 install to customize your computer? Aside from installing firefox, notepad++, filezilla etc, I always edit the folder options to show hidden files (except sys) and show extensions.

I also change the libraries.

What do you do?

I first install Avast, and see to it that it is 100% updated, then I go online and if necessary, download updated drivers for my hardware if I don't already have them on backup somewhere.

I then install my day-to-day applications such as Office and Delphi RAD Studio, and then setup my mail accounts.

But then again, I don't install/uninstall programs and stuff on a daily basis (like some people I know), and I'm wary about where I go and what I do on the 'net to minimize the threat of viruses, so my system remains stable for longer than most, and I usually by choice only do a reload once a year.

The longest I've gone without a reload is 2 1/2 years, with Vista. The reload comes in when I started beta testing Windows 7 last year. I done several reloads of 7 since the beta, as new versions came out. I'm now on the release of Windows 7 x64 Ultimate since October, and so far it looks good that I may not need a reload for some time.

 

[AussieGuy92]

i install:
-Avast
-Malwarebytes
-firewall if using a free anti virus
- cyberlink powerdirector
-gimp
-google earth
-microsft office
and some games but i dont tend to play many.

 

[electrotune1200]

I update my chipset drivers first. Then I update all my other hardware drivers. I then install Office '07, followed by installing the Office SP2 standalone installer.(Saves a heap of Office updates to install through Windows Updates). When I'm finished with that, I let Windows install all available updates.

I then make an image of my install.(Not really any programs installed) This way I have a nice vanilla image of Windows as a backup.

After the image is created, I install all my other software. (Norton 360, Malwarebytes, External Soundcard Drivers, Audio Recording Software, etc.)

 

[manhunter2826]

Same here: install Avast and ccleaner. I do not automatically install Windows updates but I do/did update Windows Defender definitions. I also just glance over the security settings: making sure the firewall is ON, disabling automatic downloads of updates etc.

 

[si8mon]

I install

Updates for drivers
Avast 5
Chrome
Office 2007 Home and Student
Ccleaner
essential Windows Updates
Windows live essentials
Revo uninstaller
Speedfan
Itunes
VLC Media Player
Paint.net

 

[alphanumeric]

I start with the basic drivers, motherboard, video card, and then I run WEI to get AERO running.
The I move on to updates for windows, latest Service Pack, DirectX, Silverlight. For XP add the latest IE and MP, and dot net framework, etc. Once all that is done and office is installed I hit windows update.
Now I install Flash, Java, Adobe Reader, 7-Zip, etc.
After that I pick away at the rest of my hardware like my DVD Burner, printers, etc.

EDIT: I like to keep everthing on color codded flash drives to speed things up. It beats the hell out of swapping Cd's

Green 2 gig = Drivers
Blue 4 gig = Windows updates
Brown 1 gig = Office + Office updates
Black 8 gig = Programs

 

[richc46]

The first thing I did when I installed 7 was to install my AntiVirus and malwarebytes
Updates.
Then I installed as needed.

 

[Fantail]

Motherboard / Chipset drivers
Ati (video) & ccc
Security Essentials
Selected 7 updates
The ratsnest known as Realtek (for 5.1) drivers

 

[pparks1]

With Windows 7...I've found it now unnecessary to load any of my mobo chipset utilities as the ones packed with Windows simply run better.

So, I install the OS, activate it, check Device Manager for any warnings, run Windows update and take an image. This way I got something "plain vanilla" to snap back to. I don't like to install my 3rd party video drivers or AV yet...as the next time I lay this image back down, I might be using updated drivers or a different AV product.

 

[CassieFWinTeam]

With Windows 7 you have many options to customize your PC - you can customize your start menu, desktop gadgets, Internet Explorer Toolbars, and libraries. You can also personalize your PC (my favorite!) - 5 ways to personalize your Windows 7 PC.

Enjoy Windows 7!
Cheers,
Cassandra
Microsoft Windows Outreach

 

[Mellon Head]

Right after install:

1. Any and all hardware drivers, excluding ones for my graphics card
2. Run Windows update
3. Install AV
4. Do a system image
5. Graphics drivers
6. Install apps, and update hardware drivers for some of them that need it
7. Configure email and browser and any other extras
8. Finally, give in to CassieFWinTeam's demands and personalize my PC.

Oh yeah. #9. Re-enable Quicklaunch!!! Why was that removed, anyway?

 

[CommonTater]

Hi. What do you do after a fresh windows 7 install to customize your computer? Aside from installing firefox, notepad++, filezilla etc, I always edit the folder options to show hidden files (except sys) and show extensions.

I also change the libraries.

What do you do?

Right after the installer finishes...

1) Install 3rd party drivers
2) Install any helpful updates
3) Test networking, printing, etc.
4) Start shutting down unnecessary crap
5) Stop unnecessary/undesirable events
6) Set up networking and file shares
7) Take a nap....

 

[gregrocker]

If it's my own install, I enable hidden Administrator account first, login again, then delete named User account in User Accts, turning UAC down to lowest setting. Now I am the one and only Admin.

I customize the start menu so Computer, Control Panel fold out a menu for easier access, show Run, Video and Downloads folder.

Install MSE or Avast, check Windows Update to get them started, especially looking for optional newer driver Updates. Check Device Mgr. Adjust screen res and up DPI to 120% for better readability.

Then I install Works, flash, Reader, Java, CCleaner, Auslogics defraggers from stick.

Then the dazzle: copy from stick collection of 120 Win7 national edition backgrounds into Pictures, rightclick desktop to Personalize them as desktop slideshow. These are the most lavish pictures ever taken and provide a thrill every time. Next I place weather, CPU and calendar gadgets, drag Word processor, SnipTool, Calc, IE8 to taskbar for quicker access and rightclick history.

In IE8 (which is finally perfect) I choose all the Google accelerators for rightclick define, map, translate, search, map genomes, etc; Compatibility updates, import favorites.

I then go into MSconfig and turn off all Startup items except AV, StikyNotes, and gadgets. This keeps startup under 30 seconds.

Finally I clean it up with CCleaner "Run Cleaner" and Registry tab, then defrag with Auslogics Disk and Registry defraggers.

It takes an hour. Everything else is added as needed.

 

[is4]

kis 2010 updated to the last date

firefox xD

windows live messanger full package

winrar

klitekodek

filezilla

PScs3

and the rest apps i install it when i nead it

 

[not so gray matter]

• Install BootCamp 3.0
• Install BootCamp 3.1 64-BIT Update
• Install all drivers that Boot Camp didn't install, update some others.
  • NVIDIA, SONNET, CREATIVE, ACER, etc
• Install all normal programs that I use.
  • Avast, Comodo, Everest Ultimate, MBAM, Daemon Tools, CCleaner, Defraggler, Firefox, Partition Wizard, MacDrive
• Deactivate all visual effects & set to best performance on all accounts
  • Aero, Visual Performance, Sidebar, Gadgets
• Set view settings for entire computer and all user accounts.
• Adjust system settings to my preferences
  • System Restore, User Accounts, Quick Launch, Systray, Startup, Deactivate Windows Firewall & Defender
• Turn off any Windows Features I don't use
  • Windows Media Player, Telnet, etc
• Configure flash drives for Readyboost
• Create a backup system image
• Install any games I'm playing ATM
  • Mass Effect 2, Team Fortress 2, Far Cry 2, Just Cause 2, Dawn of War 2, Left 4 Dead 2
• Open each and every program and set them all to the settings I wish to use.

 

[PandaMarketer]

Thanks all for your input.

It seems like a lot of you like Avast. I use KIS. But for my clients, I put Avast and haven't heard any complaints.

 

[Krispy1]

the basics for me would be:

avast
firefox
malware bytes
ccleaner
vlc player
win rar
open office
rocketdock

 

[CommonTater]

the basics for me would be:

avast
firefox
malware bytes
ccleaner
vlc player
win rar
open office
rocketdock

A-Squared
Media Player Classic
IZArc
WinWord
Pelles C
Win7 SDK (man that's huge)
misc. small programs

 

[jr26]

I burned a windows 7 x64 "install kit" dvd for myself anytime I have to re-install. After installing the main system and doing some cleaning (various settings and start-up stuff) its the first thing I do. The disc contains all my motherboard drivers, gpu drivers, wallpapers, saved games(I also use a usb flash drive for a rolling back-up of save games), firefox settings and favorites, winrar x64, 7zip, firewall/anti-virus software etc. etc. Basically all the main stuff to be up and running minus the games and main apps.