Classic Shell is free software that improves your productivity, enhances the usability of Windows and empowers you to use the computer the way you like it. Classic Shell has been in active development for 4 years and has over 9 million downloads. Classic Shell hereGet

Spyware is Internet jargon for Advertising Supported software (Adware). It is one way for shareware authors to make money from a product, other than by selling it to the users.  The downside is that some advertising companies install additional tracking software on your system. According to the privacy policies of the companies, there will be no sensitive or identifying data collected from your system and you shall remain anonymous.... yea right!  The fact remains that you have silently running "live" server software running on your PC, sending information about you to a remote location.  It's difficult to remove spyware software completely or even detect it.  I've found a great Free Spyware "Scanner" and "Remover" that I've personally been using for years. It's safe and effective at removing spyware, and can be download Malwarebytes - download from CNET.

Even the "best" Antivirus Software can not protect you from yourself, and since the popular and well known Antivirus software has become extremely bloated with very high performance overhead, I recommend the light weight Microsoft Security Essentials.  It is Free and can be downloaded from here: Microsoft Security Essentials. Note: Microsoft Security Essentials (aka Windows Defender) is already integrated into Window 8 and 10 so unless there is an issue, there should be no need to install other Antivirus Software.

These are free updates to the operating system deemed necessary by Microsoft for the safe and secure operation of Windows.  They are downloaded via your internet connection, and installed easily, but not necessarily automatically. Don't assume you know more about Windows than the designer of Windows regarding service packs and updates. Just to do them. Normally automatic but can also be done using Microsoft Internet Explorer Goto: Windows Update

Ideally it's best to make frequent backups of your critical documents and files, and put them in a safe place. Since most find it too inconvenient or complicated, to make regular backups, I recommend automating this process with an offsite backup service, Carbonite, which I highly recommend.