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Avery J. Parker Practical maker tech — AI tools, 3D printing, Raspberry Pi & ESP32

Guide · Windows

Legacy Tech Archive: Best Old Windows Security Tips (Still Useful in 2026)

· Maker Guides

What still holds from the classic averyjparker.com security posts — least privilege, backups, and skepticism — with modern notes.

Written by

Avery J. Parker

IT veteran, maker educator, and author of Network Ninja, 3D Printing Mastery, and AI Workflow Mastery. Business IT: Diversified Tech Solutions.

Project template

  • Goal & materials
  • Steps / firmware
  • Troubleshooting
  • AI assist notes
  • Related gear & books
Free starter kit Gear shortlist

The classic archive is full of malware-cleanup and Windows hardening posts from the late 2000s–2010s. Tools changed. Principles didn’t.

Principles over tools: least privilege, tested backups, segmented lab networks.
Principles over tools: least privilege, tested backups, segmented lab networks.

Still useful

  • Least privilege — daily driver accounts shouldn’t be full admin
  • Backups you tested — ransomware still wins against untested backups
  • Skepticism of “fixers” — random YouTube registry cleaners aged poorly
  • Network hygiene — don’t expose RDP raw; patch edge devices

Update for 2026

  • Prefer Windows Security / Defender + controlled folder access over piled-on AV suites
  • Use passkeys / password managers; ditch password reuse
  • Segment IoT (including your shiny ESP32 lab) from workstations

For admin tooling depth, see Network Ninja. Browse archive categories under Classic Tech Tips.

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