new HP laptop with Vista - Please advise

[Madx]

What are the minimum start up programs I need?

Is Vista's firewall adequate or should I still use Zone Alarm?

Are there any other tweaks or advice for "cleaning up" unnecessary programs
etc.

Should I use Ad-aware from lavasoft or is Windows Defender the same thing?

Is there a way to eliminate the Are you sure? popups?

 

[JP]

Is Vista's firewall adequate or should I still use Zone Alarm?
Zonealarm has not released a Vista version yet. Windows Firewall
is better than nothing, but should be replaced when your favorite Firewall software
has a Vista version.

Are there any other tweaks or advice for "cleaning up" unnecessary programs etc.

Go into Control Panel>Uninstall Software and remove what you don't want.
New PCs quite often have a ton of crapware.

Should I use Ad-aware from lavasoft or is Windows Defender the same thing?

Both are Anti-Spyware apps. I would though, suggest using Spy Sweeper instead.
(However, Windows Defender is better than nothing.)

Is there a way to eliminate the Are you sure? popups?

Yes. In Control Panel>User Accounts (classic view)>Turn User Account
Control on or off. I would suggest leaving it on for a while. It is a security precaution
and you might get used to it.