A couple of weeks ago, after receiving a suspicious notification that my computer had been locked because of a Windows server malfunction, I decided to run a complete offline security scan using Microsoft Defender. Somewhere during the 1.5 hr. process Dell Restore got involved and somewhere I was supposed to insert a USB thumb drive to save what was on my computer, which I didn't do. When everything finished running, my computer had reverted to Windows 8.1 (it was worse than even I remember it being) and the programs I had installed since buying it were erased. Fortunately family photos were still there.
I had downloaded Windows 10 when it was free. That offer is long gone, so I figured I would have to buy Windows 10 to reinstall it ($120). I prowled around the Microsoft website and other websites using various search methods, and found out that if your computer has ever had Windows 10 on it, you can download it again free. I suppose that's possible because Microsoft has your computer's unique identifier (IP address?) along with all the other information they have on you. Anyway, I got the free download, reloaded all my passwords, and a few other downloads, and breathed a sigh of relief.
