Installing many freeware programs at once?

[none]

Using Windows effectively generally requires having installed a lot of
de-facto standard freeware programs (such as file format viewers, IM
programs, compression programs, browser plugins, etc.).

Is there any program or solution that can install all the most common
freeware utilities for me all at once and perhaps also keep them
automatically updated like Windows Update?

 

[Sandman]

How could any single program know what your preferences are regarding these
things? Suggestion; make a new Folder, and in that folder place all the
Programs you use to accomplish file viewing (of whatever type) IM program of
choice, Zip program you use, picture viewer or editor (I use ACDsee for
example) and keep this in an easily accessible place for use each time you
re-install XP. The only 'auto update' you might get is Microsoft
Hotfixes/updates if you are crazy enough to have that enabled by default.

 

[Leythos]

Using Windows effectively generally requires having installed a lot of
de-facto standard freeware programs (such as file format viewers, IM
programs, compression programs, browser plugins, etc.).

Is there any program or solution that can install all the most common
freeware utilities for me all at once and perhaps also keep them
automatically updated like Windows Update?

Using Windows effectively and the programs that one needs are a matter of
PERSONAL PREFERENCE. As I don't use or allow IM, don't see a need for
third party viewers, don't use browser plugins, etc... Maybe you should
consider that what you "need" is not needed by others and it would be
impossible for Windows to GUESS.