Check out my Wakoopa profile. This tracks all the software I use. I’m quite new to this service but it looks good. I’m still yet to install it on my home PC.

The list below is software I recommend, of which most of it is free

Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate
Productivity Suite: Microsoft Office 2010
Web Browser: Google Chrome (Internet Explorer 9 as a backup)
- Search: Google UK. As much as I like how Bing looks, I personaly get the most relevant results from Google. I also like its Shopping search
- Maps: I tend to use Google Maps out of habit, even though I prefer the look of Bing Maps. I’m trying to curb my habits!
- Extensions
  - bit.ly
  - Chrome to WP7
  - LastPass
  - Favicon Alerts
  - IE Tab Classic
  - InvisibleHand
  - RSS Subscription
  - iReader
  - Slideshow
  - Turn Off the Lights
Email Client: Gmail (i.e. mail.google.com)
Twitter Client: DestroyTwitter
Web Development: Microsoft Visual Web Developer Express. Seems to be the only free software capable nowadays, although its far from perfectly suited to my basic needs (i.e. no programming).
Media
- Video Player: VLC
- Audio/Podcasts: Zune
- Editing: Audacity
- Burning Tool: CdBurnerXP & IMGBurn
- Music: Spotify
- Mounting: Virtual CloneDrive
PDFs
- Reader: ~~SumatraPDF~~ I’ve gone back to Adobe Reader X
- Writer: PDFCreator
Graphics
- Basic: Paint.Net
- Advanced: GIMP
- Icon Editor: IcoFX
- Photos
  - Management & Editing: Windows Live Photo Gallery 2011
  - Previewer: Google Picasa (works much quicker than WLPG) and for some of the extra effects/mosaics
Video
- Editing: I used to use Premiere (when I did a BTEC in Media Studies), then Premiere Elements (when I worked in Education) but am now stuck with Windows Live Movie Maker 2011. I wouldn’t mind but I really could do with a couple of extra audio & video tracks please Microsoft
- Screen Recording: CamStudio
- DVD Authoring: DVD Flick
Blogging: Windows Live Writer 2011/WordPress
Text Editor: NotePad++
WinSCP
7-Zip
Sync
- Calendar: Google Calendar Sync (Google >Outlook) Nokia PC Suite (Outlook > Phone)
- Files & Settings: Windows Live Mesh 2011 (+Google Chrome’s internal sync)