Infrared not recognized

Thanks smile.  I agree that the stack looks OK.  The install / unistall looks clean.  I actually steeped through the registry and compared with the working system and noted the keys and values matched.  As part of this I also uninstalled the device from device manager, and rebooted so many times I lost count.  I also reset windows without deleting files as a sledge hammer, then reinstalled IRDa and the device still added as STIrx22.  This does not bind as if the OS does not recognize it as an IRDa device.  As I do not know how Windows translates the STIrx22 to the IRDa device in device manager, I am stuck.  Short of clearing the entire system and reinstalling a clean Windows, I cannot see much else to do.

What I would say is if the IrDA bit (Protocol stack) appears OK (this is what broke previously), then the protocol stack seems ok.  So look at the device.

In this case go to device manager and remove all drivers related to the IR dongle / device.  I personally would reboot at this stage let the machine start up and plug the device back in and let it pick up new drivers.  this way the device configuration should get re-initialised.

Hi Fritz,  thanks for the feedback but I already have disabled updates in the registry and in other areas.  But some updates are essential, other are not.  And software is now mostly installed with MS_update.  Stuffed either way!

Version    10.0.18362 Build 18362 is Ver. 1903. 1903 is where the problem developed in my experience.

Is it still possible to uninstall the updates?

*****

Related advice but totally different subject, BLOCKING UPDATES. DO NOT LISTEN TO MS ADVICE ON UPDATES. YOU HAVE MORE TO FEAR FROM THEIR UPDATES THAN THE 'SO CALLED' PROBLEM THEY CLAIM TO BE TRYING TO FIX.

How to do that depends on your version. Home is different from Pro. Pro you can do a direct block. Home you have to make Windows think you are on a metered (cell phone) connection and don't want to have to pay the download fee. I have to do that with my travel laptop.

NEVER, EVER, click on [search for updates] unless you have a full backup and are willing to live with the consequences. Windows will try to dump the newest, most questionable updates and patches into your system.

The blocking instructions will have suggestions for delaying updates for extended time periods. I go maximum. Windows will still update, but not until that time threshold has been crossed, and then only the immediately necessary updates. Since you can push them back a good way the patches may actually be functional by then. You would think they would have learned. Been doing this for years and still are screwing it up. Frills over function.

Then do a search on something like this: [How to Disable or Block automatic Windows Update in Windows 10]

There will be hoards of hits to give you an idea of just how bad the scope of this problem is. Pick one that makes sense for your system and disable updates.