Which Windows applications do you avoid?

[HEXUS]

Here's an interesting point of discussion; which applications would you recommend Windows users stay well clear of?

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[Parm]

I should point out that what we're looking for here is genuine applications that cause more grief than they're worth. We're sure a lot of answers will read "Windows Vista" or "Internet Explorer", but now that I've got that particular joke out the way, let's think outside the box a little.

*EDIT* It would also be really handy if people gave reasons, AND a suggested alternative or two.

[tigerboyce]

Windows defender

[Parm]

Mine would have to be the likes of RealPlayer and QuickTime. How many media players can one need?

As an alternative, RealPlayer Alternative and QuickTime Alternative do a grand job.

[jackvdbuk]

Nero - the 1000 all in one software.

[mycarsavw]

Nero - the 1000 all in one software.

x2, with CDBurnerXP/InfraRecorder instead

Adobe Reader/Acrobat - bloated and likes to have its fingers in all the pies.

Foxit Reader instead - Foxit Software

One step further would be OpenSource vs Paid for.

MS Office, Windows itself vs OpenOffice, Linux etc.

[Parm]

I'd have to agree with Nero as well. I made the fatal error of installing it the other week, it plagued my system with all sorts! Error messages galore as soon as I rebooted.

[Lee H]

Strange. I have been using Nero for over 3 years now and never had the issues you are reporting.

I avoid anything that wants to install additonal toolbars. WHY oh WHY do they need to add this garbage to software, and more importantly why do people think they need it. I went to fix a PC once and it have over 12 toolbars on the browser. Google, Yahoo, Norton, etc and my god 1/2 the screen was taken up with them.

[Agent]

Anything with Norton in the name

[tigerboyce]

like this lee?

yes toolbar installs do really annoy me

[Whalefish]

Anything with Norton in the name

Same here. Strange thing is, Norton's Utilities for the mac were quite good, I still use them on my old Powerbook 520.
I've been using ImgBurn instead of Nero which has become severely bloatified.

[dangel]

Lotus Notes. It's pure, unadulterated evil.

Safari. Bloated, horrible non-windows UI and I hate the font rendering/speed.

Norton (anything).

Visual Studio 2008. Bugged as hell, slower than the last one.

Anything toolbar for IE.

IE. (ha)

Itunes (see safari + it's more like an infection than an application at times).

Nero sucks (I agree) - any app which spawns a 'lite' version is pointing to one thing.

[Steve A]

Strange. I have been using Nero for over 3 years now and never had the issues you are reporting.

I avoid anything that wants to install additonal toolbars. WHY oh WHY do they need to add this garbage to software, and more importantly why do people think they need it. I went to fix a PC once and it have over 12 toolbars on the browser. Google, Yahoo, Norton, etc and my god 1/2 the screen was taken up with them.

/agree, toolbars do nothing but get on my man boobs

[daza]

Lol, number one position goes to sonicstage the most unhelpful unfriendly and unfast program there is.

[matty-hodgson]

anything Norton..
Photoshop CS2 isn't too friendly on Vista..
Windows Defender!
Windows Live Messenger (crashes every 5 minutes)

[scarbunny]

Lol, number one position goes to sonicstage the most unhelpful unfriendly and unfast program there is.

Maybe im sock but i like sonicstage, I have no choice but use it for my NW-HD1 but still Id rather use sonicstage than iTunes