Operating System
- Windows XP Home SP2
First security related stuff:
- McAfee Internet Security 7 - Firewall and AV, but not Spamkiller or Privacy Service
- Ad-Adware
- Parents usually install an Internet Filtering software, which also blocks many forms of spyware and tracking cookies.
- Then use Windows inbuilt tool for connecting to Wireless networks to connect to the network.
General Tools, games, and useful stuff
- Microsoft Office XP Pro
- XviD and DivX codec
- Firefox
- Nero 6
- Obviously MSN Messenger and Plus
- P2P and Torrents: BitLord and eMule (not for dodgy stuff. just useful for finding rare and legal files quickly)
- StyleXP
- C&C: Generals + Zero Hour
Other stuff
- Some drivers and stuff, but most the stuff XP automatically can connect to.
- All the Windows Updates that are available
I'd likely install more stuff, like driver