PortableApps is ok, but I don't like being restricted to a limited set of applications. This site has dozens of portable freeware apps, including some replacements for the admittedly excellent PortableApps start menu.
The Portable Freeware Collection - Latest entries
[ For those who don't know, "portable" means that the app doesn't require an install, and doesn't leave traces on client PCs, so you can run the app from a USB for example. ]
Some good freeware here:
Pricelessware 2006 Category Index
Any software developers targetting Windows probably know all about Sysinternals, but if not get yourself over here sharp:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/s...s/default.aspx
Software for Starving Students. Basically a downloadable CD image with a ton of freeware applications to replace the well known commercial ones.
SoftwareFor.org: Home of Software for Starving Students
Miscellaneous favourites all free and legal, and all of which I'm happy to use myself.
FileZilla (FTP client):
FileZilla - The free FTP solution
TrueCrypt: Portable, free,
proper encryption, "plausible deniability"

:
TrueCrypt - Free Open-Source On-The-Fly Disk Encryption Software for Windows Vista/XP, Mac OS X and Linux
Crap Cleaner: Cleans out your registry and other hard drive junk:
CCleaner - Home
7-zip (replacement for Winzip/WinRAR):
7-Zip
CutePDF: creates PDF documents:
CutePDF - Create PDF for free, Free PDF Utilities, Save PDF Forms, Edit PDF easily.
Firefox (natch):
Mozilla | Firefox web browser & Thunderbird email client
KeePass: One secure portable location for all your online passwords:
KeePass Password Safe
Spybot: monitor for and get rid of spyware:
The home of Spybot-S&D!
Media Player Classic: Like MP 6.4 so basically a no frills media player, and free. Try it if VLC doesn't work (which is quite often):
Free-Codecs.com :: Download Media Player Classic 6.4.9.1 : Media Player Classic is an enhanced version of Media Player 6.4
Paint.net: as described above. Much better than GIMP for 99% of people:
Paint.NET - Free Software for Digital Photo Editing. Requires
.NET Framework 2.