Reformat

[BC_Programmer]

Final note in win10 updates: Windows 10 Home does provide an "Active Hours" option. I'd suggest setting your Active Hours to the time period that you use the system, which should prevent it from performing updates while you need the system for your daily tasks.

For reinstalling Windows 10, you can create installation media on a USB Flash drive or a DVD (if a DVD Burner is available) using the tool available herehere. Installing Win10 should recognize the license that is part of the computers BIOS and activate properly.

If you look around on the system you might find a utility for creating some sort of factory restore or reset, which you could use if the win7 route causes trouble to go back to the default setup.

Another thing to consider: Windows does NOT come with any applications- It is a common misconception that Windows includes Microsoft Office, for example, which often burns people who do a fresh install of a Windows version when they find it does not. If you reformat and  install Windows 7 you will lose any software the system initially came with unless you have your own copy!

You will also pretty much *need* to download the drivers on the page I linked (for Windows 7 64-bit or 32-bit depending on the version you are installing) before you install Windows 7, because it is likely you will not have any wifi or Internet access on the laptop until you install the drivers. I'd suggest putting them on a USB Flash drive- saving them to the hard disk wouldn't do any good since you are wiping everything, after all.

[armymedicmom]

I just recently noticed the "active Hours" option, and I set it for 8am - 10pm. However, I never turn on this computer at home. If it's never on during the "ok to update" hours, what happens? I do not want nor need updates, but will it insist on updating during my peak hours if it can't get to my off hours?

I did make a windows iso dvd. That was very helpful. Thank you. As for the drivers, I created a download list, but it said that it would automatically install once downloaded. How do I download these to a usb and not install?

I see a setting for "create a recovery drive". Is this the factory reset you were mentioning?

Except for my files and work files, there really isn't anything much on this computer. The only microsoft program I use is MS Word, and I do have the full Microsoft Office Program, but only install Word. And even if that was a problem, I can easily use Open Office Word.

Thanks to everyone for the time you are spending helping me. I really appreciate it.

[BC_Programmer]

I do not want nor need updates, but will it insist on updating during my peak hours if it can't get to my off hours?

I think so. ideally you should consider cracking it on outside your active hours if possible.

Alternatively, you can permanently turn off all ability to update by disabling the Windows Update service altogether. I'd suggest at least making it current (eg Updating now) before doing this though I suppose it won't make a difference.

1. Start->Run "services.msc"
2. Look for "Windows Update" in the list of services.
3. Double-click it (or right-click and select properties, same thing)
4. Set the startup Type to "Disabled" and if the service is running, Stop it.

Personally I'd recommend turning it back on once every month or two (at your convenience, which makes all the difference here heh) and installing any updates that are available at that time, just so it doesn't get too out-of-date.

Beyond that:

Ignore the "Driver List" option. It looks like it is some special feature which tries to interact with something already installed on Dell laptops/computers to auto-install.

If you use the download Icon on the right side of each item, it should download as an EXE file, which you can save separately.

I think a Recovery Drive would be what I refer to. It used to be that each manufacturer included their own tool or program for it, but it seems like it's integrated into Windows 10 now. I haven't actually built any factory restore discs for about a decade so  unfortunately my personal experience is a bit spotty, but just starting it on my PC and it looks to do what I was thinking of.

Except for my files and work files, there really isn't anything much on this computer. The only microsoft program I use is MS Word, and I do have the full Microsoft Office Program, but only install Word. And even if that was a problem, I can easily use Open Office Word.

OK. Always good to make sure so the person in question isn't surprised by missing files or programs. Too often after I do a full reformat for somebody after asking "Are you sure, you'll lose all the files you have there and any programs you installed!" several times until they were annoyed by it, they'll turn around afterwards and ask something like "oh, where are the 20 years worth of digital photographs that I've never made backups of?" or "How come you deleted Super ExpensiveWorks Pro Deluxe Edition?" To the point where I end up making a disk image of their computer and keeping it on my computer until I'm sure they aren't going to ask such questions!

[armymedicmom]

I am now going to try downloading the drivers without putting them in a list.

I tried to create a USB Recovery disk (twice) with two different USB sticks and two different USB ports. Both times I got an error, and they don't mention what the error was. One USB was 16gb and the other was 32gb. Of course I then had to reformat both because they were wiped clean. I just LOVE Windows 10!

Maybe I'll try disabling Update like you mentioned before going through all this other trouble. If it works great. The last update (I assume) has disabled my Bluetooth mouse. It no longer recognizes it. Everything for bluetooth is turned on (it still works with my speakers). I thought maybe my mouse just kicked the bucket so I bought a new one. Nope. So the possibility of turning on updates once a month is another scary thought.

Thanks again!

[armymedicmom]

I downloaded the drivers.

I thought your suggestion of disabling updates using "services.msc" sounded familiar. I had done that once before, and somehow windows still updated and turned that feature back on. I turned it off again and see how long it lasts. That'll be interesting.

For what it's worth, I did some checking around as to why I couldn't created a recovery usb disc, and apparently many others have the same problem. I did come across one tidbit. If you hit the start button, and type windows 7, you get backup and restore, and then have the option of creating a system repair disc for win10 64-bit.