My list of helpful of utilities/programs

For Newbies:
I learned most of what I know the hard way. I now do tech support and try to pass on a little knowledge in hopes that you won't have to.
I have been collecting these goodies for quite a long time. I have used most of them myself. All are free--and free of adware to the best of my knowledge.
If I am repeating anything from another post, please excuse, I just copied & pasted from my own list.
Also added some cool "extras" that I hope you like.

ADWARE REMOVAL & PROTECTION PROGRAMS
http://download.com.com/3000-2144-10256209.html?tag=lst-0-5 * (Ad-Aware--FREE download)
Spybot Search and Destroy * (Free Spyware removal tool)
SpywareBlaster * (keeps spy/foist/ad/malware from installing--byJavacool)
http://www.spywareinfo.com/downloads/swguard/down.html * (Spyware Guard--keeps it from ever getting on your computer)
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3045.html * (alternate download site SpywareGuard --keeps spy/foist/ad/malware from being able to install)
Zonealarm Firewall * (Free personal fire wall)

ANTI-VIRUS PROGRAMS
Trendmicro Online Virus Scanner (Free online virus scan)
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php * (AVG--FREE Anti-Virus program download)
http://download.com.com/3000-2239-10261831.html?tag=lst-0-26 (Avast--another good free Anti-Virus program)
http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=stinger * (Stinger! Free from McAfee, all-purpose virus removal tool--removes the most common viruses)

Scroll to the bottom of
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html
for these removal tools:
Cwshredder * (CoolWebSearch removal tool)
HijackThis * (Gets rid of most hijackers)
Kazaa Begone uninstaller (Gets rid of Kazaa)

Remember...UPDATE, UPDATE, UPDATE!!! These programs can't protect you or fix your problems if they don't have the latest information.

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EXTRAS--handy little utilities

http://toolbar.google.com/ * (Google toolbar includes search window and a good popup stopper) As with any popup stopper, you occasionally have to turn it off to access different links but it has a built in memory and you will have to turn it off less and less.

http://download.com.com/3000-2250-10222610.html * (JustZipIt!--gotta be the world's easiest zip/unzip tool)

http://www.cetussoft.com/freeware.htm * (CWordPad--wonderful if you don't have Office or a spell-checker for Outlook Express)

http://www.3m.com/market/office/postit/com_prod/psnotes/#lite * (Free Post It notes for your desktop--very handy)

http://www.wisdom-soft.com/products/screenhunter_free.htm * (Screenhunter--great little utilty for capturing computer images)

http://magnifier.sourceforge.net/ * (Free magnifying tool, resizable with arrow keys. Great for photo pixalatizing or just reading small print--not that I need it)

http://www.sardinesoftware.com/eggtimerplus.php * (Nice little stopwatch/timer for your desktop--good for Ebaying or rescuing dinner)
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TIPS & TRICKS
If you have 2 or 3 separate windows you are cross-referencing at one time, go down to the empty part of the taskbar (at the bottom of your screen/desktop),right-click, and choose Tile Windows Horizontally.

F11 key will make your browser toolbars disappear for more viewing space (F11 again to return them).

Hold down the Ctrl key while hitting the letter key for the following:

Ctrl-n to open a new window (it will look the same until you type in new address) or right-click on a link and choose ?open in a new window? if you want to keep the last page handy.

Ctrl-w will close the current window

Ctrl-f will bring up a nice little search utility to help you get to the information you are looking for quickly?helpful for finding something in a long page or list.

Ctrl-a to select all

Ctrl-c to copy (highlight area or text first)

Ctrl-v to paste (click where you want to paste first)

Ctrl-p to print current page