fixbook
IT fixes, shortcuts, and commands worth remembering.
Best Prebuilt PC Brands in 2026: The Vendor List
A no-nonsense list of prebuilt PC vendors in 2026 — boutique builders, mainstream brands, and budget options — with the honest pros and cons of each.
Prebuilt vs DIY PC in 2026: Which Should You Buy?
A straight answer to building vs buying a PC in 2026 — real cost differences, warranty, GPU pricing, time, and who each option actually makes sense for.
Bloatware Uninstall Script (v1.5)
My personal batch script that removes bloatware from Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Windows — with a guided Y/N walkthrough.
How to Update a New Windows PC — Windows Update, Drivers & Firmware
A new or freshly-installed Windows PC is months behind on updates. Do it in the right order — Windows Update, then drivers, then firmware/BIOS, then apps — so you get a stable, secure machine instead of random crashes and missing hardware.
How to Set Up a New Windows PC from an Old One — Transfer Files, Apps & Settings
The complete guide to moving to a new Windows PC — exactly which folders to copy, how to pull your files with a Linux USB when the old PC won't boot or you're locked out, and how to set the new machine up clean.
OptiPlex 7010 Micro vs ThinkCentre M70q Gen 4: The Best Cheap 1L Homelab Box
We put a 2023 Dell OptiPlex 7010 Micro and a Lenovo ThinkCentre M70q Gen 4 side by side as Linux homelab servers — same job, same week. Specs, gotchas nobody warns you about, and which one to buy off the refurb market.
"This App Has Been Blocked" — Code Integrity, Smart App Control & WDAC Explained
Windows 11 blocked your app and won't say why. How to tell Smart App Control, WDAC, Defender and SmartScreen apart from the Event Log — and the right fix for each, including the one that needs a clean install.
Encrypted / IRM Outlook Messages Won't Open in Classic Outlook
Why protected (IRM / Microsoft Purview) emails fail to open in classic Outlook — permission errors, the credential-cache trap, licensing gaps, and the fixes that actually work.
Set Printer Defaults on macOS with CUPS (Duplex & More) — When System Settings Won't
macOS won't let you set a real default like two-sided printing from the normal print dialog. Enable the hidden CUPS web interface and set true printer defaults — the fix for Canon imageRUNNER duplex and more.
FortiGate Configuration Essentials: Interfaces, Policies, NAT & Objects
The FortiGate mental model that makes FortiOS click — interfaces and zones, address objects, firewall policies with built-in NAT, security profiles and the CLI safety net. Plus the port-forward (VIP) gotcha and licensing basics.
SonicWall Configuration Essentials: Zones, Objects, Access Rules & NAT
The mental model that makes SonicWall click — zones, address objects, access rules and NAT policies — plus the port-forward gotcha, security-service licensing, and backup/firmware basics.
Best Antivirus for a Small Business (2026)
Consumer antivirus isn't built for a business. Here's what actually protects an SMB — EDR-grade tools, managed options, and honest picks by budget and staffing.
Best Desktops for a Small Business (2026)
The right SMB desktop isn't the cheapest one at the big-box store. Here's what to buy, which business lines to stick to, and the specs that keep a machine useful for five years.
Why You Should Clean Your Networking Rack (and How to Do It Safely)
The rack in the closet nobody touches is a heat, failure, and downtime risk. Why a dirty rack costs you uptime — and how to clean and tidy one without taking the network down.
CMMC Attestation Form: What It Actually Is and How to Submit It
There's no single "CMMC attestation form" — the attestation is an annual affirmation submitted in SPRS by a senior official. Here's what you actually file, who signs it, and the steps to complete it.
Legit Email Flagged as Phishing Despite SPF, DKIM & DMARC Passing
A real email got quarantined as "High Confidence Phish" even though SPF, DKIM, and DMARC all passed. Here's why authentication doesn't save you — and how a tracking link was the actual trigger.
Microsoft 365 Tenant Allow/Block List: Allow or Block Senders, Domains & URLs
How to use the Tenant Allow/Block List in Microsoft Defender to release false positives and allow a sender, domain, URL, or file — plus why Microsoft wants those entries to be temporary.
Read Email Headers to Check SPF, DKIM & DMARC (Authentication-Results)
How to open raw email headers in Outlook and Gmail and read the Authentication-Results line to see whether SPF, DKIM, and DMARC actually passed.
SonicWall VPN Troubleshooting: Phase 1 / ISAKMP Failures & NetExtender Basics
Fix SonicWall site-to-site IPsec that dies in Phase 1 (IKE/ISAKMP), and set up SSL-VPN with NetExtender the right way — including the errors that stop clients connecting.
Why Refurbished Devices Aren't Worth It for an SMB
Refurbished PCs look like a bargain until you count the warranty you don't have, the Windows 11 cutoff, and the support lifecycle that already ended. Where refurb makes sense — and where it costs you more.
How to Benchmark Your PC: Best Tools & Where to Compare
The best free PC benchmark tools in 2026 for CPU, GPU and gaming — plus where to compare your scores and how to stress-test for stability.
How to Build a PC: Resources, Tips & Order of Operations
A practical roadmap for building your first PC — the best free resources, the correct build order, and the rookie mistakes to avoid.
Is a Prebuilt Gaming PC Worth It in 2026?
Whether a prebuilt gaming PC is worth it in 2026 — the real trade-offs on price, warranty and upgradeability, and exactly when buying beats building.
PC Form Factors Explained: ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX & SFF
PC form factors made simple — ATX vs microATX vs Mini-ITX vs SFF, what each means for size, upgrades and cooling, and which is best for a prebuilt.
Prebuilt PC Red Flags: What to Avoid Before You Buy
The warning signs of a bad prebuilt PC — weak PSUs, proprietary parts, vague GPU specs, and the spec-sheet tricks vendors use to cut corners.
Where to Buy a Prebuilt PC In Person (USA, 2026)
The best places in the USA to buy a prebuilt PC in person — see it, carry it home today, and get on-site support — from Micro Center to Best Buy to local shops.
Deleting Windows Recovery Partitions
How to safely remove recovery partitions using Disk Management and DiskPart, and reclaim the space for your main drive.
Drive Mapping on Workgroup Machines — No AD, No GPO
Map network drives on standalone Windows 11 Pro machines with multiple local users and no Active Directory — using net use scripts and credential management.
HP 2920 — Basic Commands
The everyday commands for checking status, managing VLANs, and configuring an HP 2920 switch.
Console Access & Baud Rate Issues on HP 2920 Switches
Getting into the console on an HP 2920 — the right cable, terminal settings, and what to do when you get garbled output or no response.
Outlook 2016 and Older — Why It Breaks with M365
Older versions of Outlook stop working with Microsoft 365 once MFA and Modern Authentication are in play. Here's why and what to do.
Set-NetConnectionProfile — Fix Public Network on a Private Connection
Switch a network connection from Public to Private using PowerShell — useful when Windows misidentifies the network and locks things down.
SFC & DISM — Windows System File Repair
The built-in Windows commands for repairing corrupt system files. Run them in order — SFC first, then DISM if that fails.
SPF, DKIM & DMARC on Microsoft 365
Set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for a Microsoft 365 domain — what each one does, the DNS records needed, and how to verify them.
Migrating UniFi from Cloud MSP to Self-Hosted on Linux (NUC)
Move a UniFi site from cloud/MSP management to a self-hosted Network Application running on a Linux NUC — without factory resetting every device.
ipconfig — Check & Troubleshoot Network on Windows
The most useful ipconfig commands for checking IPs, flushing DNS, and resetting network adapters.
netplwiz — Manage User Accounts & Auto-Login
Open the classic User Accounts dialog to manage users or set up automatic login.
Install Microsoft 365 with the Office Deployment Tool (ODT)
Use the ODT to silently deploy M365 or Office 2019/2021/2024 with a custom XML config — no clicking through the installer.
Fix SSH Timeout on macOS
Stop SSH sessions from dropping after a few minutes of inactivity.
sysdm.cpl — Open System Properties Fast
Skip the right-click menu and open System Properties instantly from Run.
What's on a Technician's USB Drive
The essential toolkit categories every IT tech should have on a bootable USB.
whoami — Check the Current User
Quickly find out which user account a terminal session is running as.
Essential Windows Run Commands Cheat Sheet
The most useful Win+R shortcuts for IT work — open anything in seconds.
Fix or Reinstall Winget on Windows
Winget missing or broken? Re-register the App Installer package to fix it.
Winget — Remove Bloatware from Dell, HP, Lenovo & Microsoft
Winget commands to silently uninstall pre-loaded junk from new PCs.
Edit the Windows Hosts File
Block sites or redirect domains locally by editing the Windows hosts file.
Adobe Uninstall Tool — Force Remove Creative Cloud
Adobe's official tool for removing Creative Cloud apps when the normal uninstaller fails or leaves a mess behind.
Bitdefender Removal & Support Tools
Bitdefender's own tools for uninstalling and troubleshooting when the normal uninstaller won't work.
BlueScreenView — Read BSOD Crash Dumps
BlueScreenView reads Windows crash dump files and shows you what driver or module caused the BSOD.
CCleaner & Defraggler — Disk Cleanup & Defrag
CCleaner clears out temp files and junk. Defraggler defrags HDDs. Both by Piriform.
CleanWipe — Symantec Endpoint Protection Removal
CleanWipe is Symantec's official tool for force-removing Endpoint Protection when the normal uninstaller won't work.
Clonezilla & Macrium Reflect — Drive Cloning
Two tools for cloning drives. Macrium is easier for Windows-to-Windows clones. Clonezilla is more powerful and works on anything.
CrystalDiskInfo — Hard Drive Health
CrystalDiskInfo reads SMART data from your drives and tells you if something is going wrong before the drive fails.
Dell Command Update & SupportAssist — Dell System Updates
Dell's tools for keeping BIOS, drivers, and firmware up to date on Dell hardware.
Hiren's Boot CD — Rescue & Recovery
Hiren's Boot CD PE is a bootable Windows environment packed with tools for recovering machines that won't boot.
HPIA — HP Image Assistant
HP's official tool for finding and installing BIOS, driver, and firmware updates that Windows Update misses.
HWiNFO, SpeedFan & RealTemp — Temperature Monitoring
Three tools for monitoring CPU, GPU, and system temperatures. HWiNFO is the main one — SpeedFan and RealTemp are useful secondaries.
iPerf — Network Speed Testing
iPerf tests actual network throughput between two devices — more reliable than browser-based speed tests for diagnosing network issues.
LDWin — Network Jack Tracing
LDWin identifies which switch port a network jack is connected to — useful for tracing cables and mapping network infrastructure.
Lenovo Vantage — Lenovo System Updates
Lenovo's built-in tool for keeping BIOS, drivers, and firmware up to date on Lenovo hardware — covers what Windows Update misses.
Malware Cleanup — Malwarebytes, ADWCleaner & SUPERAntiSpyware
Three tools that cover most malware cleanup jobs. Run them in order for best results.
MemTest86 — RAM Testing
MemTest86 boots off a USB and tests your RAM for faults. Essential when chasing random crashes and BSODs.
Ninite — Bulk App Installer
Build a single installer that silently sets up all your standard apps in one run. A staple for new PC setups.
NK2Edit — Fix Outlook Autocomplete
NK2Edit edits the Outlook autocomplete cache — useful for removing wrong addresses or migrating autocomplete to a new machine.
Prime95 — CPU Stress Testing
Prime95 maxes out your CPU to test for stability and heat issues. Run it after building a PC, changing thermal paste, or chasing random crashes.
ProduKey & Belarc Advisor — Product Key Finders
Two tools for finding product keys and software licence info. ProduKey is quick, Belarc gives you the full picture.
PSTools — Remote Windows Management
PSTools is a suite of command-line tools for managing Windows machines remotely. PsExec is the most useful one.
Recuva — Deleted File Recovery
Recuva scans your drive and recovers deleted files. Fast, free, and easy to use.
RollBack Rx — System Snapshot & Restore
RollBack Rx takes snapshots of your Windows system and lets you roll back to a previous state — faster and more reliable than System Restore.
Rufus — Bootable USB Creator
Rufus creates bootable USB drives from ISO files. The go-to for making Windows install media.
Tftpd64 — TFTP Server
Tftpd64 runs a TFTP server on your Windows machine for pushing firmware or config files to network devices.
WinAudit — Full System Inventory
WinAudit generates a complete hardware and software audit report for a Windows machine. Good for documenting a system or doing a full inventory.
WNetWatcher — Network Scanner
WNetWatcher scans the local network and shows every device connected — IP address, MAC address, hostname, manufacturer.
Windows Login Unlocker: Reset a Forgotten Windows Password from a Bootable USB
Locked out of Windows? How to reset a forgotten local password from a bootable USB — Windows Login Unlocker, Offline NT Password, and the old accessibility-swap trick — plus the two modern walls (Microsoft accounts and BitLocker) that stop them cold.