Computer Help and Support

unfortunately I doubt you live anywhere near me. (and I am somewhat retired)

I got into Linux many years ago because I got fed up with the constant glitches and headaches in Windows. In your situation Linux would have been a fairly easy method to accomplish what you needed to do.
Even if a person wants to stick with Windows as their main operating system it doesn't hurt to learn some basic about Linux for situations like yours.
Microsoft goes out of its way to make Linux appear to be difficult with UEFI and Trusted Computing and all the other pseudo so called "security" solutions they've foisted on Windows users. Linux is still the superior option. It just takes a little gumption to finally want to rid ones self of Windows.