Help my girlfriend out! Recommendations on free software

[hijodeltiger]

I'm building my girlfriend her own computer for her to take to college. I was wondering if you guys could tell me wich windows will better suit her needs, Home or Pro, as I don't know the differences between the two? Can you please explain and/or recommend?
And I know this is off topic but she is not that computer literate and I would like to know of recommendations for user friendly security software, preferrably free.
Also, her specs are:
Gigabyte Geforce 6100 AM2,
Athlon 3000,
pqi Turbo 2x1GB DDR2 667 4-4-4-12
3dfuzion 7600gt,
Seagate 7200.10 250GB,
Antec Smart 450W
LiteOn Lightscribe burner
Card Reader
Antec Sonata II

 

[dmroeder]

I'm going to go with Pro for college use. Pro is more geared towards networking than home. Here is a basic comparison.

A good free antivirus is Avast!

 

[hijodeltiger]

how about free antispyware options?
i am going to go with windows defender, but something else might be useful as well. or is it good enough with that defender alone?
free personal firewalls?
thank you regardless.

 

[dmroeder]

I hear windows defender is good, but I've never used it.

I use Adaware