What are "Must Have" installs on a new system for clients?

[ATTech]

First I must say I was mistaken when I said Ultimate, I meant Premium.. I get confused w/ home versions b/c I usually one deal with Pro versions.

As for the rest of the apps, for my customer, I think they will all be used, especially the AV/spyware. This is a relative who lives a few hundred miles away and I don't want to have any issues trying to clean it remotely if I have to so I am putting things on before hand.

Someone said that there was a lot of bloat. Really? What do you consider bloat? Having a lot of programs to choose from isn't bloat. Bloat is when a program is a memory or resource hog. With over 500GB free I think he is going to be ok for a while considering his XP machine only has 3GB of data to transfer. Bloat is an OS that requires 2GB ram just to load and doesn't have nearly as much to do with LTS (HD) space.

While I'm sure MSE would be adequate for some or BitDefender for others, you'd be surprised at the amount of crap that comes through his machine. I've found that those two programs work absolutely wonderfully together and have not had one instance of one stepping on the others toes.

As for spybot and MBAM, I'm going to be remoting in to do some maintenance work every could months so I need those there to run scans and clean the machine up.

Are you asking for a specific computer, or in general? The initial post suggests the latter, but this subsequent post indicates the former. If it's a specific person's computer, then of course it's going to vary from client to client; that's a given.

If you are asking what gets installed on EVERY computer (N&P or new machine), then I can't see the logic in installing 5 different security programs, 3 browsers, and 2 Remote connection programs. Bloat is anything that is installed on a system that the user will not likely use, takes up moderate space, is visible to the user or is redundant(I.E 4 different browsers on the machine). Skype for example, is an excellent piece of software, but not worth installing if the user doesn't have a Skype account.

I think as techs, we tend to go a bit overboard on customizing computers for people. Perhaps we see a lot of value in alternative image manipulation programs, compression utilities, or CD burning programs, but do your users? And if so, are you willing to accept that by promoting this program (by virtue of installation), that a healthy amount of customers are going to expect some amount of free support?

 

[gazza]

I just make a note of what software is installed on the clients computer, backup any license keys and reinstall only those programs they had on the system, nothing more nothing less. I don't install free Antivirus software I up sell paid versions of Norton's Antivirus 2011 and Malwarebytes. I install free versions of CD burner Xp Pro and VLC media player. I get permission from the client to install my remote support software and place a link on their desktop. I don't install any microsoft updates, just make sure the computer is set to download recommended updates only. If you install free cleaners, free internet security etc, your doing yourself out of potential income, I don't get that at all. What's the point of installing Skype, Itunes etc if the client has not used it before, that's silly.

 

[Robert]

Our Win7 image has:

Adobe Reader
Flash Player
CCleaner
Windows Live Essentials
Office-Ready

As well as our customisations - support info, wallpapers, URL's, etc etc...

Half the time it's quicker to run our 7 setup on a new toshiba, then find/download/install all their drivers, than spend the 4 hours waiting for their OOBE to install an image!

 

[parker.casey]

Ok, here is what I've installed so far:

Windows 7 Home Ultimate 64bit
BitDefender Total Security 2011
Microsoft Security Essentials
Malware Bytes Anti-Malware
Spybot Search & Destroy
Office 2010 Pro
VNC
Teamviewer_QS
Firefox
Opera
Adobe Reader
Adobe Flash
Adobe Shockwave
Java
MS Silverlight
Skype
Gimp 2.6
PDF Printer
Google Chrome
Google Earth
Imgburn
HijackThis


I can't think of any other applications or programs. Can anyone else suggest some programs?

Seems to me that you've already got it overcomplicated ... an end user has no use for HijackThis, for instance. Google Earth is a bit of a resource hog, and easy to get on their own. Chrome, Firefox, AND Opera seems not just a little excessive - how about asking the customer what they prefer, and spend a minute talking to them like a person? I've always found that my customers are MUCH happier if I just ask what they do with it, and what they want it to do - then do JUST that.

 

[16k_zx81]

Someone said that there was a lot of bloat. Really? What do you consider bloat?

I didnt mean any offence, whatsoever. And by bloat, I simply mean (to clarify my clumsy use of the term), software that may not be utilised by the customer.

I guess if we're not talking about things with startup items, then system performance isnt an issue, but thats a lot of additional stuff in the start menu that - and this is my point - the customer may not want in there, or on their desktop.

My thinking on this - and its just a personal perspective - I dont want customers to have to spend time uninstalling things they dont want or need. To me this is making work for them in addition to all the work they will already have to do to get the machine back to the way it was before it was nuked.

Some customers are asking for a n&p specifically because they want their computer cleaned up. Personally Im uneasy about putting too much back on, particularly if IM not very confident that they will find a use for it.

Thats all Im getting at. In regard to your list, I had a closer look at it, and much of the choices concur with the conventional wisdom in this thread. A few stuck out for me though. So in the spirit of a robust discussion, that hopefully will be something we can gain from, Im interested to know more about some of the items:

1. Four browsers (IE, FF, Chrome AND Opera)

2. Two AVs

BitDefender Total Security 2011
Microsoft Security Essentials

3. Two anti-malware

Malware Bytes Anti-Malware
Spybot Search & Destroy

4. Trialware

Office 2010 Pro

5. How many home users would understand how to use it? - most of my customers the only graphics work they would do is look at photos. Some may crop or do red-eye reduction, that sort of basic stuff, but there are simpler apps for this purpose. Not quite sure about the wisdom of installing something with such a steep learning curve.

Gimp 2.6

6. Thats a pretty cool idea. Hadnt thought of that one

PDF Printer

7. Totally confused by this. Most of my customers wouldnt have a clue about how to use this. The thing that occurs to me is that if they un-check the wrong box they could also get into all sorts of trouble.

HijackThis

Hope that clarifies what I was getting at. So why the duplicates and the quadruplicate?

 

[Cybjun]

...
Am debating Silverlight. At the moment I dont install it. What do others think about Silverlight as an 'essential' component?

A number of people above have mentioned OO - what about Libreoffice?


*anyone else using this? - its a killer add-on, IMO

Doesn't Netflix stream in silverlight? Its free and it maybe needed for a popular function of web use today and its updated via microsoft updates, why not install silverlight.

As I said in a earlier post I only install windows and all the microsoft updates available and software needed for common internet use today. Adobe reader, java, flash, quicktime (and itunes) everything else is on an as needed or per request basis.

 

[gunslinger]

Adobe Flash
Adobe Shockwave
Adobe AIR
Microsoft .NET
Microsoft Silverlight
Java

VLC
Burnaware
7-Zip
Foxit Reader

Spywareblaster
MSE or Avira



IMO,there would never be a reason for a customer to have something like hijackthis or Malwarebytes on their system unless I'm there. Keep it simple and lean. I can't tell you how bad it pisses me off to go to a customers place or them bring the system in complaining of a "slow computer" after some "tech" installed Ad-aware, Spybot, Malwarebytes, Norton AV, Comodo firewall, and all manner of crap on their computer.

 

[MobileTechie]

Adobe Flash
Adobe Shockwave
Adobe AIR
Microsoft .NET
Microsoft Silverlight
Java

VLC
Burnaware
7-Zip
Foxit Reader

Spywareblaster
MSE or Avira



IMO,there would never be a reason for a customer to have something like hijackthis or Malwarebytes on their system unless I'm there. Keep it simple and lean.

This looks very much like my apps install list - the minimum required to get it fully functional and safe for use. Everything else is their choice.

 

[16k_zx81]

A couple of people have mentioned Adobe AIR, which has got my interest. What are the merits for installing it?

 

[MobileTechie]

It's just another platform that is required by some web-based applications.

 

[dbdawn]

Adobe AIR
Adobe Flash
Adobe Reader
Java
Microsoft Silverlight
Microsoft Security Essentials

Of course fully updated with latest Windows updates etc.

 

[kevinjhaag]

Same as dbdawn

Adobe AIR
Adobe Flash
Adobe Reader
Java
Microsoft Silverlight
Microsoft Security Essentials

Of course fully updated with latest Windows updates etc.

Same here except I use Comodo AntiVirus or AVAST.

 

[Xander]

A couple of people have mentioned Adobe AIR, which has got my interest. What are the merits for installing it?

None whatsoever.

If a customer wants to install a program that needs AIR, the very same installer will load AIR with it. To put AIR on a system that might not need it is (IMO) bloat.
Same with Silverlight. If needed, Silverlight practically installs itself.

Same with half the stuff folks are listing -- if a customer will probably not use it, it's bloat. It doesn't matter if it impacts resources or not.

PDF Printers -- well intentioned but I've only installed a handful over the years. Most people will never use them.

Open/LibreOffice -- sure... IF they had something before or it's a new system. Otherwise, for the granny who just plays online scrabble and does email.... don't bother.

Burning software -- see PDF printers above. Installed a handful in the last few years.

Multiple Antispywares -- sure, you want your customers to think you've got your best interests at heart ... and we do... to an extent. We shouldn't over-equip a customer. We shouldn't be putting so many things on their system that they're overwhelmed and never run any of them. I leave them with one (sometimes two for the high-risks) and, when I go back, they rarely even run that.

 

[AdamsAPlus]

It all depends on if you are talking about a N&P or a computer for sale.

If it is a N&P I talk to the customer and see what they want to have installed.

If its a computer for sale then I install the following.

• Chrome (used to do firefox but since their plug-in container I don't like it anymore)
• VCL
• Flash (Both IE and nonIE)
• Java
• Sliverlight(other because of Netflix, do not know anything else that uses it)
• AdobeAir(not sure who uses it but figure it will be used more and more in the future)
• Picasa(some customers have come back and thanked me for this one)
• OpenOffice(never knew of LiberOffice so I'm going to check that one out tonight)
• Avast!
• ImgBurn(only if the computer has a burner on it. Some of the ones I sell do not)
• 7-Zip

I don't put any cleaners or spyware removers on there. I offer the customers KIS (removing Avast of course) if they would like a full internet security suite.

I don't offer any cleaners because I want them to come to me to have their PC cleaned. If they ask about a good cleaner then I tell them about CCleaner

Open/LibreOffice -- sure... IF they had something before or it's a new system. Otherwise, for the granny who just plays online scrabble and does email.... don't bother.

I disagree. You never know when someone will get a word doc in their email. Or something along those lines. Not to mention I like to get the word out that there are alternatives to the overpriced MS Office.