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With more than 20 years of experience, Pacific NorthWest Computers provides affordable on-site and in-shop computer repair services in Washington and Oregon State! We provide services ranging from onsite and remote support, malware removal, data recovery, laptop hardware repairs, custom-built computers, networking, security services, consulting/training, and many other computer/tech-related support and services! www.linktr.ee/pnwcomputers
Monday, June 9, 2025
Monday, April 28, 2025
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:
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Click the Start Menu and type Windows Security. Open it.
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In the Windows Security window, click Virus & threat protection.
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Under Current threats, click Quick Scan to immediately scan important areas of your computer.
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For a deeper scan:
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Click Scan options under the Current threats section.
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Choose Full Scan and click Scan Now. (This may take 1-2 hours.)
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Notes:
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Ensure that Windows is fully updated by checking Windows Update.
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Threats found will be quarantined automatically or prompt you for action.
Monday, April 21, 2025
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
System configuration Wikipedia Overview
System performance and process viewer Task Manager Info
View scheduled tasks Microsoft Docs
Manage system services Windows Services Info
View system logs Event Viewer Docs
Microsoft tool that lets you query Event Logs, IIS logs, etc. LogParser
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Security & Performance for your PC!!
So, core security: I typically use and install Avast Free or BitDefender Free Antivirus (MS Security if Windows 7). Then I always use (and have used for years) MalwareBytes Antimalware and Spybot Search & Destroy. MalwareBytes is a Zero-day exploit and “name brand” bug catcher King and Spybot can find a lot of stuff that normally would get left behind and can also undo damage a virus has caused to your system. But you do not want them to be running all the time, as your Antivirus is providing that protection. MBAM (MalwareBytes for short) and Spybot are just "tools in the toolbox" per say. Include them in your routine scans and cleanings but they will be your go to, if and when a virus gets around your Antivirus. But the basic "run it when you need it" free versions are all you need (unless you have computer with horsepower and speed then let em rip!).
Then with the new variant of malware being “browser hi-jack” bugs, if you get hit with something like that, all those other security programs may not be able to find all of them; or even any of them at all! So that is where ADWCleaner and JRT come in to play. Both are now distributed by MalwareBytes (so that's who you will likely download them from as an FYI), they are specifically browser hi-jack clean-up tools. These tools will find, fix and remove what the other programs cant. Including website re-directions, search engine and homepage hi-jacks, removal of malicious add-ons, and much more.
Then last but not least, lets keep the computer clean of junk!
CCleaner has been my go-to performance and clean-up tool for nearly my entire professional computer career. Junk, temp and cache files, prefetch data, DNS cache, delete free space; CCleaner can do A LOT! So to keep things clean and your computer running snappy, I highly recommend it’s installation and use!
You can find direct download links to all the previously mentioned programs, as well as a complete virus removal tutorial just by clicking the link below! Doesn’t get much easier than that ;)
Recommended Software Downloads & Virus Removal Tutorial
As always, if you need any kind of computer or “tech” help, or if you have any questions, feel free to get in touch! This is why I do, what I do :)
Jon Pienkowski