At Pacific Northwest Computers, our goal is to make your new system feel familiar, functional, and secure, while minimizing downtime and surprises.
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what we typically do during a new computer setup & migration, whether we’re working in-shop, onsite at your home or office, or remotely where possible.
Online security is becoming increasingly critical as more of our daily lives move onto the internet. Whether through hacking, phishing, tech support scams, or other malicious activities, account compromises can happen to anyone. This comprehensive guide provides detailed steps to help you respond effectively, recover your accounts, and protect yourself from future incidents.
For years, I've been carrying USB drives to client sites loaded with various diagnostic tools - Sysinternals utilities scattered across folders, batch files I'd written years ago, and a mental checklist of tests to run. It worked, but it was messy, inconsistent, and time-consuming. Every diagnostic session meant running tools manually, copying outputs, and cobbling together reports.
I thought: "There has to be a better way."
That frustration led to the creation of the Portable Sysinternals System Tester. A zero-dependency PowerShell solution that transformed my thumb drive into a comprehensive, professional diagnostic toolkit. What started as a personal automation project has evolved into a production-ready tool that IT professionals across the region now rely on for field diagnostics, baseline health checks, and client handoff reports.
https://github.com/Pnwcomputers/SystemTester/tree/Version2.2
Windows 10/11:
Click the Start Menu and type Windows Security. Open it.
In the Windows Security window, click Virus & threat protection.
Under Current threats, click Quick Scan to immediately scan important areas of your computer.
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.
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:
