Nothing, or perhaps Visual Studio Express. I would say MSE, but having an antivirus software is not a big deal to me in the first place, and for the times when I decide to run av software, I prefer other free software. Nothing on the list particuarly impresses me, e.g. I have a Hotmail account which I never use (well maybe once or twice a year) as I use another web based email service, and I will never switch to a competing service.
Snipping tool is great and perhaps Media Center. I'm also reconsidering IE9, Chrome unfortunately has too many problems with too many websites.
I loved the older versions of Windows Media Player (8 and 9) on XP, but I'm not so fond of the newer versions (I use VLC instead). MSE is currently my favorite Microsoft program because it has been less buggy on this laptop than other free antivirus products.
Indeed, I could not put it better. They lack basic functions and even simple things are too messed up like placement of buttons, settings and so on.
I don't use anything on that list. For me I'd go with Windows Firewall. Light, unobtrusive, and sufficient inbound protection despite all the hate directed at it. If I were a Vista/7/8 user I'd go with either EMET or MSE. Probably both in a tie.
That what I use too because I don't want to be alerted the first time every program access the internet.
My choice would be Skype easily, but i use a version before the acquisition. None of the list. What i use is the firewall, regedit, notepad, the task manager, Autoruns etc.
I think the one I love the most and has always been reliable and simple is Paint. Lite on resources, quick to open and does the very crude basics that I need.
Windows Explorer and Snipping Tool (of apps included with Windows). I also use Microsoft Office and Microsoft Skype a lot and like them okay (though no real encryption), but I'm not saying they are necessarily better than LibreOffice and GoogleTalk or others, it's just that everyone else uses them so I need to also for compatibility reasons. Microsoft Visual Studio is also good, or at least I don't know a better substitute. MSE is fine too because it's light and Microsoft SysInternals tools are excellent. For most other MS programs I can think of better alternatives; Notepad2 instead of Notepad, Firefox instead of IE, Irfanview instead of Paint, VLC instead of WMP, Dropbox instead of SkyDrive, etc.