Automated System-Wide Debloating & Basic Software Installation for Windows 10/11

Introducing "DeployWorkstation"

A System-Wide/All-Users Debloating & Basic Application Installation
PowerShell Script For Windows 10 & Windows 11 Systems

IoT Devices Wireless Troubleshooting Guide

Wireless Troubleshooting Guide for IoT Devices

(Amazon Echo, Smart Home Devices, etc.)

Ensuring stable wireless connectivity is essential for the proper functioning of IoT devices. If you're experiencing issues during setup or daily use, follow this checklist to optimize your network for compatibility.

What To Do If You Are Being Cyber Stalked - How To Deal With Cyberstalking

Steps to Take if You Are Being Cyber Stalked

Does Your Device Support Wifi6 or Wifi6E

 

In this post we’ll give you a quick, jargon-free way to tell whether your current phone, laptop, desktop motherboard or router is likely to support Wi-Fi 6 or 6E, and what to do if it doesn’t. No deep dive into radio theory, just practical timelines, and some viable Wi-Fi upgrade options.

AI-Washing: The Potential Dot.Com Bubble Dejavu

AI-Washing: 

The Potential Dot.Com Bubble Dejavu...

Artificial intelligence is transforming software, but the gold-rush mentality around “AI-powered” everything has begun to look (and behave) like the dot-com bubble. Below is a concise look at the evidence, the warning signs, and what real AI work actually entails.

AI Mechanistic Interpretability

AI Mechanistic Interpretability: Why Understanding AI is Just as Important as Building It

AI is no longer just a tech race, it’s turning into an arms race. We like to think we’re teaching AI, but in many ways, we’re struggling to keep up with what AI is teaching us. As AI systems grow more powerful, we’re granting them enormous levels of trust and control; sometimes without fully understanding how they work.

And that’s a problem.

Allow a Blank User Password for Scheduled Tasks

To allow blank passwords for a scheduled task in Windows 11, you need to disable a security setting in the registry. A simple Windows Registry key controls whether blank passwords can be used for local account logins, including scheduled tasks. By disabling this setting, you can allow the scheduled task to run without a password!

Best "Bang for the Buck" Printers (ATM)

 

Looking for a new printer?

Maybe a printer that has not just high customer ratings, but also has cost-effective ink usage, and is also affordable?

Well here are some top options to consider!!

Custom Built Systems - From Over The Years...

Custom PC's I Have Built Over The Years! 

Official Printer & Scanner Support Sites

Printer & Scanner Support Sites
(Official Sites)

⚠️ Word of Warning:

Always avoid downloading drivers from unofficial sources or by using "driver update" tools or software; unless from the manufacturer! Third part "driver update" apps and software are almost ALWAYS unsafe, and ALWAYS unnecessary!

 

Scan to PC Not Working?

Here's How to Try to Fix It!

If your printer or scanner won’t scan to your computer anymore, try these steps:

Windows Network Suddenly Stops Working – Troubleshoot File/Printer Access (Easy Guide)

Windows Network Access Stops:

Troubleshoot for File/Printer Sharing

*Easy Guide for Windows 10/11

If your computer could access shared folders or printers yesterday—but suddenly can’t today—don’t worry! These steps will help you check and fix the most common things that might have gone wrong.

Windows Network Suddenly Stops Working – Troubleshoot File/Printer Access (Technical Guide)

 

Windows Network Access Stops:

Troubleshoot for File/Printer Sharing

*Advanced Guide for Windows 10/11

If a previously working Windows network suddenly stops functioning—e.g., users can no longer access server shares, mapped drives, or network printers—this guide outlines what to check to restore connectivity.

*For an easier troubleshooting tutorial, please visit/use our "Easy Guide"

Fix Windows WMI Errors & Issues

When Windows system tools or third-party apps start throwing vague errors like “Class not registered” or “WMI repository is inconsistent,” it's usually a sign that something's gone wrong with the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) system. WMI plays a critical role in diagnostics, hardware queries, and system-level management—so when it breaks, you’ll notice.

Recently, I helped a client in the music production industry who ran into a persistent issue while trying to launch Waves Central—the app used to manage his VST plugins. The error pointed straight to a WMI problem. 

Bambu Labs X1 Carbon - Mods & Upgrades

Bambu Labs X1 Carbon
- Mods & Upgrades -

The Bambu Lab X1 Carbon is already a powerhouse of a 3D printer—fast, precise, and packed with features straight out of the box. But for those of us who can’t leave "good enough" alone, there’s a whole world of mods and upgrades that can take this already impressive machine to the next level. Whether you’re chasing print quality improvements, better filament handling, easier maintenance, or just adding some personality to your setup, these hardware upgrades and 3D printable mods have something to offer. 

In this article, I’ll walk through the upgrades I’ve personally tested on my X1C—from the solid feel of the BIQU Panda Extruder to the practical (and a little goofy) additions like the Poop Bucket with Emoji. 

Let’s dive in and give the X1C a proper enthusiast’s treatment!

AMD 7800X3D, RTX 5070 Custom Computer

 

Unleash Elite Performance with
PNW Computers’ AMD & RTX
Custom PC Package!

Best Value NAS System: Turn-Key & Custom Built

Best Value Turn-Key NAS (Plug-and-Play):

QNAP TS-464

Why it's great: Best balance of performance, expandability, and value. *Hot-swap supported.

• Drives: 4x SATA 3.5"/2.5" bays (hot-swappable)

• CPU: Intel Celeron N5105 Quad-core

• RAM: 4GB DDR4 (upgradeable)

• Network: 2x 2.5GbE LAN

• Expansion: PCIe slot for 10GbE or NVMe cache card

Price: ~$1,100 *4 x 4TB HDD's

Set-Up & Prep Medicat Bootable Window PE 

1. Prepare Your Medicat USB or SSD

Download & Install Ventoy:

1. Visit the official Ventoy website and download the latest release.
2. Launch Ventoy2Disk and install it to your USB drive or external SSD.
3. Enable Secure Boot support during installation (check the box in the installer).

Add Medicat ISO Data:

1. Download the latest Medicat ISO from the official source.
2. Copy the ISO file directly to the USB/SSD (no extraction necessary).

📺 Video Tutorial:
How to Set Up Medicat on USB or External SSD

Email Address Change:

What To Do When Switching Email Providers

If you’re moving to a new email service or provider, here are the key steps we recommend to ensure a smooth transition:

 

Fix Local Windows Network Discovery & Network Device/System Access Issues

Fix Windows Network Discovery & Network Device/System Access Issues

1. Ensure Network Discovery is Enabled.

Follow these steps to ensure that network discovery is enabled:

1. Open the Control Panel.
2. Navigate to "Network and Sharing Center".
3. Click on "Change advanced sharing settings".
4. Ensure that "Turn on network discovery" and "Turn on file and printer sharing" are selected.

Microsoft Office Blocking Content of Network/OneDrive Stored Data - FIX!

Microsoft Office - Blocking Content of Network/OneDrive Stored Data

You may have noticed that Microsoft Office applications like Word or Excel will sometimes block or restrict access to files stored on network drives or OneDrive, and you’re not alone. This feature is part of Microsoft’s tightening of security defaults, and while it's meant to protect users, it can interfere with legitimate workflows—especially in shared or networked environments. Fortunately, there’s a quick workaround that allows you to safely enable access by configuring your Trusted Sites settings in Windows.

Tutorial: Virus Scans and System Cleanup (PC)

 

Tutorial: Virus Scans & System Cleanup (PC)

1. Running a Virus Scan with Windows Defender (Microsoft Defender Antivirus)

Windows 10/11:

1. Click the Start Menu and type Windows Security. Open it.

2. In the Windows Security window, click Virus & threat protection.

3. Under Current threats, click Quick Scan to immediately scan important areas of your computer.

4. For a deeper scan:

   • Click Scan options under the Current threats section.

   • Choose Full Scan and click Scan Now. (This may take 1-2 hours.)

Notes:

• Ensure that Windows is fully updated by checking Windows Update.

• Threats found will be quarantined automatically or prompt you for action.

Misc Software Tools, Apps, Sites/Services & Utilities

🛠️ Misc Tools

• msconfig
  System configuration Wikipedia Overview
• Task Manager
  System performance and process viewer Task Manager Info
• schtasks /query
  View scheduled tasks Microsoft Docs
• Services Manager
  Manage system services Windows Services Info
• Event Viewer
  View system logs Event Viewer Docs
• LogParser
  Microsoft tool that lets you query Event Logs, IIS logs, etc. LogParser

Suspicious Network & Endpoint Activity Investigation Guide

Suspicious Network & Endpoint Activity Investigation Guide

This guide combines a structured documentation checklist with an actionable toolkit in PowerShell and Python to help rapidly investigate and respod to suspicious activity on a Windows-based endpoint. It includes tutorials for all tools and programs mentioned.

Documentation, Triage/Remediation & Reporting Structure

1. Initial Triage & Observation

Symptoms Observed: 

• Unexpected outbound connections
• CPU/disk spikes
• Unknown open ports
• Software behaving erratically
• System slowdown
• Time & Date Logged
• System(s) Affected: IP address / Hostname
• Alert Source Verficication/Review:
• User report
• SIEM
• EDR alert
• IDS/IPS
• Valid Security Alert (OS/AV)
• Etc.

MoCA Networking

MoCA Networking: The Best Alternative When Running Ethernet Isn’t an Option

If you've ever struggled with unreliable Wi-Fi in certain parts of your home, you've probably considered adding more access points or even running network cables. At Pacific Northwest Computers, we always recommend hard-wired Ethernet as the gold standard for home networking.

But what if running Ethernet cables isn’t possible? Maybe you're in a multi-story house, a rental property, or just don’t want to tear open walls. That’s where MoCA (Multimedia over Coax Alliance) steps in as a powerful, reliable alternative. In the right setup, MoCA can deliver Gigabit or even 2.5 Gigabit speeds—rivaling traditional wired networks.

Let’s walk you through what MoCA is, how it works, and how to build a successful network using it.

Recommended Computers: Desktops & Laptops, Used & New

Whether you're setting up a home office, upgrading your workspace, or simply looking for a dependable computer for daily use, finding the right system that balances performance, reliability, and price can be tricky. That’s why I’ve put together this quick list of recommended computers across different categories—from small towers to slim desktops, from affordable mini-PCs to reliable laptops—so you can choose what best fits your needs and budget. These are systems I’ve personally worked with, recommended to clients, or even used myself in the field. Let’s dive in!

Benefits of a Custom-Built Computer

Top Benefits of a Custom-Built Computer

✅ 1. Tailored Performance for Your Needs

You’re not paying for things you don’t need (or missing things you do). We can build specifically for:

• Office work, QuickBooks, spreadsheets
• Photo or video editing
• Music Production
• Gaming
• Server or virtualization environments
• Quiet or low-power systems

💡 Example: If you don’t game, you won’t be sold a power-hungry GPU. If you do edit video, you’ll get the right CPU/GPU combo.

Apple Store - Share a Customized Apple Computer Build from the Apple Store

How to Share a Customized Apple Computer Build from the Apple Store

Whether you're an IT consultant, helping a friend, or buying a Mac for your business or creative work, Apple makes it easy to customize a Mac and share that build with someone else. They can then review, tweak, or purchase the system as-is directly from the Apple Store.

I use this method often for clients at Pacific Northwest Computers—it’s fast, professional, and ensures they get the exact specs they need.

General Quickbooks Network Troubleshooting & Repair

For a QuickBooks network setup, routine troubleshooting and repair procedures typically involve both network-level and QuickBooks-specific checks. These ensure proper file sharing, database server access, and multi-user functionality. Below is a clear, organized breakdown of routine troubleshooting and repair steps for a QuickBooks multi-user network setup (usually for QuickBooks Desktop versions).

Intel CPU Instability Issues; 13th & 14th Gen Processors

​Intel has addressed instability issues in its 13th and 14th Gen Core desktop processors, particularly the K, KF, and KS-series Core i5, i7, and i9 models. These issues were linked to elevated operating voltages causing premature aging and system instability.
(​The Verge)

To mitigate these problems, Intel released microcode updates, including version 0x12B, which limit voltage requests above 1.55V. This update aims to improve stability without significantly impacting performance. ​
(techpowerup.com)

QuickBooks Desktop: Error 350

Error 350 in QuickBooks Desktop during a rebuild process usually indicates corruption within the company file that QuickBooks' built-in tools (Verify/Rebuild and File Doctor) are unable to fix. Since you've already worked with QuickBooks support and used their repair tools without success, here are some advanced steps to try:

HIPAA-Compliant Cloud Storage

If you're looking for HIPAA/HITECH-compliant cloud storage, you'll need a provider that offers encryption, access controls, audit logs, and a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) to ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations. Here are some of the best options!

Convert Existing Windows Installation from MBR/CSM to GPT/UEFI!

Convert an existing Windows 10 Installation from Legacy BIOS to UEFI

One of the critical system requirements for Windows 11 is having a GPT partition scheme for installation, which must be based on UEFI. This article explains how to convert existing Windows 10 Installation from the Legacy MBR partition scheme to the more modern GPT UEFI partition scheme, using Microsoft's MBR2GPT.exe tool; all without losing any data or settings!

Free Technical Certifications

There are several free technical certifications available that can help build IT skills boost your resume and to start you on a path towards a career in IT. While some certifications are entirely free, others may require a small testing fee. Here are some of the best options: