Thanks. It's funny how once I ask for help the solution comes... keeps me humble.

Sigh. I have no friends IRL and haven't a clue who has a computer. The Windows came loaded on the computer and I haven't a clue about a key.

However, I was finally able to access the on-computer backup in the dell data safe.
It totally reverted my system to 2011 <gasp> and supposedly put all my "current" files some where but I haven't a clue where it put them. I wanted it to go onto my external HD...since I don't have a flash drive large enough...it kept wanting to put it on a dvd or a hotstick and nothing I have takes nearly 9 GB of data... so now I have to go looking.

I had already backed up all my photographs though, onto the ext HD.
Not sure about my documents... but all my worker comp forms are on the ext HD...

None of my Hebrew classes are on the computer any more...so I need to go download those again... sigh.

I had a doost of a time (Scottish term) making it find my email though... the email provider wanted a stronger password now (have you noticed they all do...all sites like that ) and so then I had to go put in the new password on my smart phone... and there's still one email addy (professional use) that I can't find the info on to activate that. Sigh.

Reloading avast... disabling IE and Windows defender... next step WebEx and camera for class... arrrggghhH!!!!!

BUT at least the computer updated now. Which was the point.