 <p>I install some set of *nix command utilities and process explorer at a bare minimum. </p> <p>Also, on XP systems I disable any theming and use the windows classic coloration. Vista just doesn't look or work right without the Aero theme so I can't do that on Vista without going almost completely nuts. </p> <p>Also forgot, I install Chrome. (Used to be Firefox but Chrome is nicer out of the box)</p>