When installing windows I usually install:
- windows XP SP2
- run windows updates
- office 2003 , visio 2003 ,project 2003
- run office updates
- mindjet mindmap software
- directX,windows defender, windows malware
- run update windows media player
- antivirus: free.grisoft
- winscp,putty
- adobe acrobat reader
- firefox, thunderbird (including plugins), shockwave,flash
- openoffice
- java