Keeping your PC free of temporary files, cached data and unneeded registry entries has never been so easy. While there are quite a few programs out there that essentially perform the same functions, we feel that Ccleaner stands out in the crowd as one of the best. One thing to mention though, during the installation process you'll be given the option via a check box to disallow the installation of Yahoo's toolbar which you might not notice and otherwise accidentally allow.

At some point or another you'll almost certainly have to view a PDF file. The most common application for that is without a doubt Adobe Reader, but make yourself a favor and download the much lighter substitute, Foxit Reader. I haven't used Adobe Reader since giving Foxit a try.

Also useful to have around is the CutePDF Writer, which installs itself as a printer subsystem and enables any application that is able to print a document to create high quality PDF documents.

You won't be getting away with not having the ability to unpack the basic compression formats around and 7-Zip can handle an impressive number of the formats you'll ever be likely to run into, not to mention the fact that it's freeware.

7-Zip can both pack and unpack 7z, .zip, .gzip, .bzip2, and .tar as well as being able to unpack .arj, .cab, .chm, .cpio, .deb, .dmg, .hfs, .iso, .lzh, .lzma, .msi, .nsis, .rar, .rpm, .udf, .wim, .xar and .z.