i use:
CPUz
GPUz
OCCT
Coretemp
Folding @ Home!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Firefox
AVG-Free
Malwarebytes anti-Malware
Riot
game booster
Audacity
Riva tuner
VLC media player
fraps
'Super' video compressor(even though it hates my win7 install)
defraggler
ccleaner
foxit reader -better than adobe reader and uses less resources
Open Office
Beta's are good too (Win7 Build 7000/RC1)
Adobe shockwave/flash/AIR
i only use good software, all the above are installed and run on almost a daily basis except malwarebytes
i have a few more apps i got free, but they arent normally free, i just get them with hardware bundles(like Nero DVD/CD Burning software for example comes with walmart Lite-On DVD+R drives), actually i don't think i've ever payed for any software aside from games, lol just freeware and trials 

-Austin

Screamin' BCLK: 

 775 System (Overclocking Platform): Q8400/Q8300/E8400/E7400/E7500 - GA-EP45-UD3R v1.1 - 4GB (2x2) OCZ Reaper HPC DDR2 1066 CL5 2.1v Corsair TX-750w
Gamer: Asrock Z77 Extreme4, i7 3770K @4.6GHz, ThermalTake Armor A90 modded, 2x4GB GSKILL RipjawsX DDR3 2133 CL9, Corsair HX-750w, MSI GTX660 Twin Frozr
Server2012: Q9300 - 8GB DDR2 - Asus P5QL Pro - Corsair CX430 - Mirrored 2TB Seagate's with 2TB WD cav for fileshare backups, 1TB WD for OS backups