Good security/privacy tools and parental controls ; user-friendly interface ; excellent backup utility ; good help system for advanced users

Security Center and TuneUp tools are weak ; help isn't always beginner-friendly ; some oddities during installation ; antiphishing toolbar works only in Internet Explorer

BitDefender Total Security 2008 is one of the best security packages we've recently reviewed, delivering good control over spam, viruses, and your firewall.

Solid editing tools ; numerous effects and transitions ; publishes directly to YouTube ; easy sound-editing tools ; takes advantage of multicore processors

Organizer is very slow ; no support for AVCHD import, DivX export, or HD DVD burning ; streamlined interface makes some features difficult to discover

A very capable video editor that's nicely integrated with Photoshop Elements, Adobe's Premiere Elements is a particularly good choice if you want to publish to YouTube or portable devices.

Outstanding organizer allows super-smart photo sorting ; solid new editing and Photomerge tools ; tabbed interface clarifies navigation ; Guided edit simplifies basic tasks

Free utilities in Windows Vista replicate many functions ; serious users unlikely to be swayed by narrow-focused new features

Bursting with new editing features and a superb organizer, Adobe's Photoshop Elements 6 is a powerful addition to any digital photographer's software library.

You don't have to be a novice to find lots to like in Symantec's comprehensive new system-protection package. Even if it doesn't do everything we might like, it's still a major improvement over the bloatware we've become accustomed to.

Practically invisible security/optimization software ; beginner-friendly, but also suitable for advanced users

Antiphishing feature slows down Web browsing in IE, doesn't work in other browsers ; settings, help somewhat simplistic

Still-strong set of tools for protecting data and computing activities ; new encryption, password features

Antispyware program has been removed ; free-space cleaning can be time-consuming ; so-so help options, documentation

The comprehensive Steganos Security Suite has a host of features that promise peace of mind for PC security. Whether you need (or want) everything it offers is another story.

Effective range of in-depth utilities ; straightforward interface ; detailed print manual (with boxed version)

Few changes from previous version ; no firewall to replace native Windows offering

A solid PC-maintenance package