Latest Windows 10 iso file too large for DVD!

Also trying to fix windows 10 for a friend and

1. no ethernet connectivity works, no wireless, nothing
2. All Dell diagnostics pass without error
3. no usb ports work, do not recognized a thumb drive
4. Windows reset fails with The group or resource is not in the correct state to perform the requested operation

The dvd drive is the only option I have.

Not happy.

The reason I'm even here today is because my 4+ year old desktop PC attempted to install 20H2 today and the update totally screwed the boot table, then crashed to a reboot that it couldn't complete. It was only because, contrary to your assertion "that there is no longer a use for a very old build", I actually found an old Win 10 boot DVD (from 2015!) which I was able to utilise to get the MBR repaired, and the machine reverted to an operable state. During the recovery, however, BOOTREC reported that it was unable to recognize the filesystem on the Windows drive, so I figured that I'd better make a newer DVD with an updated copy of Win10, in case more complex recovery situations arise, in the future, which this SIX YEAR OLD DVD couldn't fix, whereupon I stumbled upon this asinine bit of absolute idiocy of the boot image inexcusably outgrowing the capacity of a single-layer DVD and Microsoft's ignorant 'solution' is that I buy, and create a bootable usb thumb drive (on a computer which has, again, NEVER been able to boot from usb!), then install the Windows ISO on it and set it aside someplace, potentially not to be used again for years, if ever, and they somehow think THAT is a reasonable operation?! GMAFB!

FWIW, the machine in question has USB2.0 ports onboard, and a USB3.0 PCI card, it doesn't support UEFI and has NEVER been able to create a bootable thumbdrive. Your particular experiences are FAR from universal and your criticism only highlights your latent cognitive myopia.

Your #3.  Windows 10 is changing so often that there is no longer a use for a very old build.

In all the time of Windows 10 I have not made one DVD and I have 9 computers.

Even my oldest laptop has a USB slot.

>> "Why all this garbage about DVD when all the modern laptops do not have a drive."

1. This may come as a shock to you, but not all computers are modern, or laptops.
2. Constructing bootable USB drives that actually work is often a major pain in the ****, esp on older machines.
3. DVDS are VASTLY superior media for creating a one-off static image that can be set aside and stored for long periods of time and accessed quickly in a pinch.
4. Next time try reading the thread before posting, the answers to your entirely facile question are all there...