It's a matter of taste but here is some free stuff you might find useful and which won't mess up your pc by installing a load of junk:
Faststone Image Viewer (photo viewer and editor)
http://www.download.com/3150-20_4-0-1-3.html
Faststone Capture (screen capture tool)
http://www.download.com/FastStone-Capture/3000-2192_4-10625077.html?tag=lst-0-4
Jet audio Basic (media player, sound recorder)
http://www.download.com/JetAudio-Basic/3000-2167_4-10617379.html?tag=lst-0-1
The Sage (dictionary)
http://www.download.com/TheSage-s-English-Dictionary-and-Thesaurus/3000-2279_4-10520851.html?tag=lst-0-1
Evernote (web clipping tool and note taker)
http://www.download.com/EverNote/3000-2074_4-10593559.html?tag=lst-0-1
Locknote (protect your files)
http://www.download.com/Steganos-LockNote/3000-2092_4-10495719.html?tag=lst-0-1
Their top freeware items can be found here
http://www.download.com/2001-20_4-0.html?tag=hd_ts