SOLVED !!!
Thank you lando242 and leocg !!!
The copying of items from the windows.old folder solved the problem, but I had to copy quite a few more files than expected. Nonetheless - I am now MUCH HAPPIER and still very much against Misery$soft for their absolute disregard for the every-day computer user who has spent countless hours adding to and refining their own PERSONAL computer to meet their SPECIFIC needs and not those DICTATED by Misery$soft.
I am supremely grateful for the help I received. I owe you both a drink or something.
HAPPY - HAPPY.