For the past couple of years Scott Hanselman has maintained a list of tools on his blog (Computer |Zen) all of which he has used in real life and considers to be can't live without material. Put simply, if it can be installed, Scott has installed it and if it is of any use then he puts it on this list!.

Just recently, Scott has updated this list with some new additions. Check it out here

You may also wish to keep up to date with Scott's own Podcast Hanselminutes in which Scott presents a very short and snappy run down on interesting topics and how-to's and advice.