What software should I install on my parents new PC?

October 17, 2008 3:11 AM

My parents have asked me to set up their new Windows laptop. What software should I install on it?

I've been a mac user for several years but my folks have asked if I'd come and set up their new Windows computer for them, so I need some advice.

They will have broadband internet access for the first time and will use it mainly for email and internet access.

My aim is to set up their new machine to make their experience easier (they are novice computer users). I guess my main concern is to keep the machine running and free from viruses etc.

What should I install? A firewall? A virus checker?

Software that is easy to update (or automatic) would be best.

posted by jonesor to computers & internet (12 comments total)

First, by all means, install PC Decrapifier to remove the junk. The way PC manufacturers keep the price down is by selling the privilege of installing crapplications. When I bought a bargain Gateway, I was appalled at the sheer quantity of junk that was preinstalled.

Second order is an antivirus app - I use Avira AntiVir Personal. It's free and self-updates.
posted by plinth at 3:42 AM on October 17, 2008

The main problem with Windows is its ever expanding and corrupting registry. So I wouldn't install software that would not add anything to that registry. In other words: simply look which portable apps you'd fancy.
posted by ijsbrand at 3:51 AM on October 17, 2008

Bah, would install portbale apps, because they don't add anything to the registry.
posted by ijsbrand at 3:51 AM on October 17, 2008

ars technica have a good article recommending security apps for windows.
posted by timmow at 3:59 AM on October 17, 2008

Windows XP (from SP2 on) and Vista have a built-in firewalls. Other than that the only thing I would do is make sure Windows Update is configured to run automatically (to download and install system patches/updates/etc).

I'm a firm believer that the only thing virus and adware scanners do is slow down the system. I wouldn't install them. If you're paranoid, every once-in-a-while when you visit, run a scan on their system, but I wouldn't subject them to the reduced performance and annoyance.

If they want to keep photos on their PC, install Google's Picasa.
For instant messenging, use something like Digsby or Pidgin.
Google Earth is always fun to show of their new computer.
Adobe Reader, Flash, Silverlight will stop them from having to find plugins to install.
posted by blue_beetle at 4:17 AM on October 17, 2008

previously and previously

also, how to idiot-proof your parents' computer and lifehacker.com's guide to free software
posted by billtron at 5:06 AM on October 17, 2008 [1 favorite]

I would install LogMeIn. It's free and let's you remote-control their PC when they need you to look at it. Yes, it will work with your Mac (better with Safari than Firefox actually).

blue_beetle has great suggestions.

I'd stay away from portable apps. They're slower, for one thing, and not really necessary. One spyware infection will add more registry entries than 200 normally installed programs. On that note, be sure and install Windows Defender (free for XP, included by default in Vista).

If your parents are the sort of people who would open any attachment they get sent, I would definitely not neglect the full-time antivirus. AVG Free or Antivir.
posted by mysterious1der at 5:07 AM on October 17, 2008

I would install Ubuntu.

Or, failing that, Firefox, with AdBlock Plus and NoScript.
posted by box at 6:06 AM on October 17, 2008

What I would recommend really depends on your parents and how they will want to use the computer.

I'd love to make my parents use Linux but they can't. They use windows based financial and tax programs. I'd love to install No Script but I know all that would happen is they would enable scripts all the time anyway. I don't run anti-virus but I know they need to because my Mom loves the forwarded attachments.

So basically, your parents will probably need and expect a standard install that can do all the things their friends' computers do.

My advice is a router firewall, a reasonable free auto-updating antivirus, no software firewall other than the builtin windows one (the popup message will just either confuse your folks or teach them to blindly click enable all the time). Make sure you make the wireless connection secure and lock down the router. Write the key on a piece of tape on the router so that visiting guests (you or siblings perhaps) can connect to the wireless.

Install flash, shockwave, adobe, Quicktime (without iTunes) in the browser they will be using (or both firefox and IE since you never know what they will do).

If you don't want your parents installing software and they won't want to then create a user account for them with limited rights. Make sure you setup a remote access system for yourself so you can maintain the computer and install software when they want something new.

When you have the system all setup and configured - create a image of the disk so you can simply restore it to the original pristine setup state once your parents bugger the system up as parents inevitably do.
posted by srboisvert at 6:34 AM on October 17, 2008

I'll second srboisvert's suggestion to set them up with a Limited Account for each user. The upside is they can't "accidentally" install things from the net, the downside is they may need to call you to help them out. If you don't foresee them installing a bunch of software, go with Limited Accounts (Control Panel -> User Accounts), and LogMeIn, which allows you to remotely access the computer without the hassle of port forwarding, firewalls, etc.
posted by shinynewnick at 8:13 AM on October 17, 2008

I would install Chrome.
posted by jeffamaphone at 9:35 AM on October 17, 2008

I'd try to get one of the better disk imaging/ automated backup procedures going since the thing that they're guaranteed to do is delete stuff that's important.

Pidgin, picassa, skype, Office, Acrobat Reader (or equivalent), 7-zip, vlc or other DVD-capable players, decent DVD burning setup (Nero or free equivalent: ImgBurn, DeepBurner, DVDFlick this ranking updates constantly).

I've observed that lots of new people really like basic games, so search out the basic PC stuff to keep them from downloading is from who knows where: tetris, blackjack, chess, checkers, mahjong, sudoku, robots, snake. Ask them if there're games that they want.
posted by a robot made out of meat at 7:31 AM on October 18, 2008