What do you do after a Windows install for someone?

[MSIC]

(Other than put the kettle on).
I'm certain, like myself, that many of you beautiful guys and gals have certain habits, routines and quirks about preparing a fresh Windows install before the new owner takes over. Things that we feel are needed, or useful, or that we want gone.
This of course refers to friends, family members, even perhaps customers or whatever, rather than for ourselves.
I'm curious to know what your personal routines and quirks are.

For me, i tend to do the following:
(Once having ensured that all relevant drivers and updates are done)

(For Win XP) enable quick launcher, and move 'Show Desktop' left-most.
Put Calculator and either Sticky Notes or Wordpad on the quick-launcher.
Ensure that 'Computer' / 'My Computer', and 'My Documents' / User Folder are on the desktop, but remove 'Network'.
Install MSE anti-virus.
Install Office software (MS or OOo)
Install Skype
Install Foxit Reader
Install VLC
Install Firefox (although am now strongly considering Chrome instead)
Install & configure TeamViewer
Install Adobe Flash (even though... the user will still only have to install it anyway)

Remove MSN Messenger
Remove Outlook Express
Set IE default homepage to Google UK.
Remove IE from quick launcher (changed above still in case they want it back)
Remove most desktop icons, moving to quick launcher.
Add some links to firefox Bookmarks Toolbar, including BBC News, Wikipedia, Ebay, Amazon.

That's about it before i then might tailor it more individually.
A little OCD?? Maybe, but i'm curious to hear what you all do.

[Singh400]

Install Spywareblaster.
Update HOSTS file to block nasty crap.
Install and enable protection from Spybot (not real time).

[badass]

Full backup, burn backup to DVD, hand copy of DVD to user, keep copy for myself. Thye are informed that if it gets infected, just their my docs etc will be rescued and they can reinstall all of their other applications themselves. The backup will usually contain all productivity applcations they need. A/V is never included in the backup as the best packages keep changing.
If I get future visits, I keep my promise

[usxhe190]

Install Superantispyware scanner.
Install CCleaner.
Install Defrag program.
Install MS Bootvis (XP).
I install Kplayer rather than VLC.
I play around with the startups as well.
DVD backup of drive.

[watercooled]

Depends what they ask to be installed really, but as a base install it's generally:
Run MS Update until no more update come through, then set it to auto.
Install any drivers if it's a clean install, if not then I go about removing the pre-installed crapware.
Download FF, MSE and Malwarebytes through IE if I don't have the apps on a USB drive.
Install Sumatra PDF (my preferred PDF reader by a long shot, and runs better on the sluggish systems I'm often tasked with sorting).
Install other stuff like VLC, 7-zip, IM program, Thunderbird if they need an email client, and do pretty much the same to IE as you do.
Restore user files/bookmarks/etc if needed.
Create users, tweak various settings I'd probably think of at the time but can't remember now then finish off by cleaning up temp files, removing Windows Update temp/cache files and defragging a few times.
Remind them to keep off dodgy webistes (in left ear, exit right ear).
I don't bother with CCleaner or other reg cleaners as I've found they generally just break stuff without adding to performance. CCleaner, for example, removes some of those menus that pop up when you mouse over programs on the taskbar in Windows 7 - by default!

I've probably forgotten loads of stuff I do though, stuff I just do with the flow...

Oh and may I ask how do you remove Outlook Express? I know how to do that remove Windows components thing but that just removes the icons. It's buried deep into the OS - I tried removing it a while ago, following a guide but just gave up trying IIRC. Also, my way of removing MSN Messenger involves removing the program directory so it can't run, it's dirty but it works.

[nibbler]

I install MSE immediately, followed by GPu drivers and ccleaner. Tend not to bother with defragmenter etc till I need it and even then I tend to just use built in? Does that make me a terrible person?

[MSIC]

Oh and may I ask how do you remove Outlook Express?

You are absolutely right - it's just the immediately visible icons and shortcuts that go.

[j.col]

install

anti virus.
malware bytes.
flash player and shockwave.
Open office.
OS updates.
winrar
firefox and set google as home page
system restore point

then do a full backup image

[young_one]

OS Updates
Drivers
Office
Adobe Reader and Flash
MSE

Nothing spectacular, dont even bother with firefox or chrome as most know how to use IE from work so leave that with google as the homepage.

[The Fish]

First thing I do is partition their hard drive[s], into 'C' for the o's and then a 'E' for data. Explain to them why this is so, if o/s goes data safe etc.

And lots of the above. :-)

[Kumagoro]

Its funny how many of us do similar things.

I use this now

ninite.com

This is what they say about it

Install multiple apps at once without toolbars or clicking Next.
Ninite in action
1. Pick your favorite software below.
2. Click "Get Installer" and run it.
3. You're done!

No Toolbars; Ninite says "No" to toolbars and other junk.
No Clicking
Ninite automates installers offscreen.
32 and 64-bit
Ninite installs the best version of an app for your PC.
International; Ninite installs apps in your PC's language.
Fast
No manual labor means installs finish quickly.

[jim]

Run away

[watercooled]

I agree ninite is pretty useful for taking easing the workload, especially if you're doing a few computers. But personally, I prefer to get stuck in myself if it's just the one straightforward install.
Oh and I usually recommend backing up, even going as far as installing backup software but that's something else that usually goes in one ear, out the other. A funny(ish) story - I was trying to convince my mate to back up his laptop a while ago but he told me Norton 360 had it covered - until I asked him where it was being stored and how he would go about restoring it. TBH even I still don't know how it backs up!

[The Fish]

Snooty jim said

Run away

I bow to such wiseness :-)

@Watercooled...

Back up. I hear what you saying. Kept telling all I know and work for about it. Decided to do it myself! So went from using two drives as a mirror for the other to a prog for it. Still cannot get any to do a differential back up. Each scheduled back up is the same size as the last. Gone back to hard drives... Saw interesting post from ? on costs of it the other day. Optical came out much the same per gig, but its the hassle if its above a few discs. What do you currently do?

[Singh400]

Run away

Or after numerous call outs to one house in particular (family/relative) I told them next time I would be charging. And the next time it happened, I did. Haven't heard from them since...

[g8ina]

VLC, Spybot, AVG2011, CCleaner, Firefox & Tbird, home set to Google advanced UK, Sun's Office suite, Adobe reader, remove crap.