You’re welcome!
The issue about ‘shadow casting disabled’ seems like it could be its own post. (Maybe instead of deleting the movable lights, change them to Static? + build lighting)
Visualizing ambient occlusion seems like it also could be its own post. (At first I thought you were asking about AO Visualization mode, but I think you’re talking about AO in the context of a ‘complete render’ try to include pics!)