Great thread. Well done, OP.

v nice thread

Is this software realiable "Malwarebytes Anti-malware "? I just scanned my computer with it and some weird blue screen pop up saying that it was caused by something I installed recently and my computer needed to be restarted. I didn't get a virus or anything right?

Awesome, won't need to install bloaty itunes on my newly formatted PC, thanks

I'm surprised that no one's mentioned Spybot yet, it's a great little program for general spyware removal purposes. It's free ofc

Unlikely, to be a virus.

It is probably just that the program needed to restart to kick in properly.

If you are seriously unhappy then try system restore to undo the change you have made.

Will most of these or any of these work on Vista?

FYP

Flock Browser

I personally don't like Opera, but feel free to add it to the list.

As for spybot, I feel it's kind of an old tool. It's still a decent free alternative, but I just do a weekly scan with MBAM and consider myself fine.

MBAM is a really great tool, I'm confused of what your problem is gguz... please elaborate.

I've used mostly every one of these on Vista.

MBAM is definitely trustworty. It's kind of becoming a standard for malware removal, like HiJackThis.

Well HJT and MBAM are completely different tools. HJT should only be used under the guidance of somebody who knows what they are doing with it. MBAM is safe for pretty much anybody.

AxCrypt - Per file encryption. Does not work with XP x64 last I checked

Anyone recommend a great opensource text editor (with column mode)? I use ultraedit personally but they keep dicking me over with updates (can never download the version I actually have a license for)

I know basically nothing about text editors but you can try these open source programs and see. osalt.com is a good website for finding open source alternatives.

http://www.osalt.com/ultraedit

I use NotePad++ for editing AHK/INI files. PSPad is another popular one, that might be open-source also.

Crimson Editor - text editor

KeePass - password safe

M8 Free Multi Clipboard - keep track of everything you cut or copy

WinMerge - find differences between files and folders

If you don't like Windows firewall OR Comodo, Sygate might interest you.

Sygate Personal Firewall

In addition to Quicktime alternative, there's Real alternative for the "Real" format media out there.

Real Alternative

How could I forget Audacity? Open source audio editor.

Audacity