If you’re a young company, or a solo-preneur, you naturally want to keep your startup costs as low as possible.

Here is a terrific resource that lists and describes 30 essential pieces of free to use software for Windows.

http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/01/30-essential-pieces-of-free-and-open-software-for-windows/

It includes web browsers, email clients, complete office applications, media players, image editing applications, and even games!