new XP install required programs

Here's a list of what I put on a clean install:

firefox getfirefox.com

and the following from download.com
avg free (antivirus)
lavasoft ad aware (antispyware)
spywareblaster
zone alarm (firewall)

all are free...and all are unnecessary for OS X users! It's lame that you need to update 3 programs to keep XP running well.

XP security settings

Click Start>Control Panel> Automatic Updates
choose notify me but don't auomatically download or install

Click Start>Control Panel> Firewall
Click the exceptions tab and uncheck File and Printer Sharing
(may need to turn on to print to a networked printer)

Wireless Zero Configuration

I've turned this off on two computers (so far) that connect to the internet wirelessly and everything is still working fine...IF they are using other software to run the wirless hardware (e.g., netgear or intel software). If you're using XP's software to config your wireless hardware then you need this!

To modify: (click Start>Run>services.msc and then scroll down to the w's)