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The only other things I can think of and I would not be optimistic would be to update the chipset and SATA drivers.

The update clearly says, “Upgrade to Windows 10 …”:

Yes, well this one doesn’t.
44583-WXup

…. If Windows 10 was so superior, … then Microsoft wouldn’t have to force it on people; they would be lined up to get it [for free]. Instead, people have to put up a force field, to keep Microsoft from forcing it on their computers. ….

I modified the above, but I think the above nutshell logically sums up reality in an irrefutable statement. It doesn’t mean Win10 is bad. But when upgrading is free, and the majority refuse, and the company responds by tricking its customers into upgrading what does it say about the product and the company?

You are trusting this company with upgrading your PC, sending back numerous usage information, allowing advertising on your PC and deciding what apps you are allowed or not allowed to run via the MS Store. You are also seeing MS not supporting newer components on older still supported OS’.

https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/67367/upgradegate-microsofts-upgrade-deceptions-undermining-windows-10

“…. if you click the “Close” window box, you are actually agreeing to the upgrade. Without you knowing what just happened. ….”

This is for something else but it will work for what you want. Set Windows Updater to automatic once the Win10 offer expires if she is not updating. Set up a Guest account as the main use account and an Admin account with a easy password for use in installing apps. Put the password on something easy for the owner to access when needed. The account will only produce a window announcing a password is needed to install XXXX. If the owner goes ahead and supplies it well, you tried.

Hardening off Vista

If you are running Microsoft’s Vista, support will end on Apr. 11, 2017.

Truthfully, a lot of what I am suggesting below should have been implemented a long time ago. But the next best time to do it is now.

———————–

Add memory (if needed) to 3-4Gb (32-bit) or 8GB (if 64-bit). You are supporting an old PC get it into shape.

Update wifi router (hardware) firmware after backing up settings. This can harden its access off and it may patch up some holes in its security.

Clean out dust. Make sure fans are working. Look for issues inside (leaking caps for example).

On an old system it is a good idea to run memtest86+, hwmonitor and mfg. drive diagnostic app(s) just to see if the equipment is still working to specs. Store a copy of the results (log) somewhere if possible.

Consider adding a SSD [at least 120GB, though as I write this 250GB is the sweet spot] as the boot drive if still running on an HDD [see clean install of OS suggestion].

———————–

Install any remaining Vista updates.

Turn off the Windows Update once support date is past. (Microsoft Update is left on if MS Office 2007 or newer still on PC; Office 2007 support ends Oct. 10, 2017)

Set IE9 to highest security settings and use some supported browser like Firefox/Thunderbird (email) [Chrome no longer supports Vista]. Disable IE by directing to a self IP address.

Update BIOS (if needed). I always update the BIOS to the last revision available before an install.

Check for firmware on drives and apply.

Clean install Vista. Great time to do it. (optional) If you do be sure to back up before you do. Be sure to grab all product keys/activation codes/etc from anything you plan to reinstall.

Update all drivers, including peripherals.

Belarc Advisor and WinAudit to inventory apps and machine. Look for apps you no longer or never use to remove.

CCleaner remove any unneeded apps, check what startups are running, clean registry and temp files.

Backup drive image (Macrium Reflect)

Vista updates (collected)
http://download.wsusoffline.net/

Replace no longer supported Firewall – Comodo [Zonealarm is a good alternate]

Replace Antivirus (if Microsoft) to something that will continue to support Vista. – AVG

Add MozBackup and save browser/email if Mozilla based browser/email chosen

add AdBlockPlus
add HTTPS: Everywhere
add Web of Trust (WOT)
add YesScript or NoScript
add Ghostery
change to OpenDNS server on router (good job of blocking phishing) 208.67.220.220, 208.67.222.222 [url url="https://support.opendns.com/entries/37998470-Windows-Vista"]or Windows if portable[/url]

Replace MS based email if unsupported – Thunderbird update (set ISP servers for secure email)
POP (in): pop….., port 995, SSL/TLS, normal password
SMTP (out): smtp….. port 587, STARTTLS, encrypted password

Add EMET 5.5 (free; requires NetFramework 4) [support ends Jan. 27, 2017], Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit or HitMan Pro.Alert

Add HitMan Pro.Kickstart (not a blocker, bit recovery/removal) or Malwarebytes Anti-Ransomware (still in beta as I write this; stand alone blocker)

Add PSI Secunia (checks Adobe Flash and Reader, Shockwave, Silverlight, Quicktime and Java) Consider dropping these apps as well unless needed.

Check Mozilla based browser plug-ins for updates: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/plugincheck/

Check Browser security: https://browsercheck.qualys.com/

Install a HIPS Intrusion Prevention System: https://blog.malwarebytes.org/intelligence/2013/05/whatiships/

Update the HOSTS file now that MS won’t do it.
http://someonewhocares.org/hosts/

Consider using a sandbox for apps. http://www.sandboxie.com/

Nah, the best game is to see how long you can keep them on the line. OK, yes, OK, yes, OK its done can you access my computer now? No? Well I did everything right, shall we go over it again? . . . . Nothing like breaking into a laugh towards the end as the exasperated SOB is giving up.

Just freaking do a long format.

Are you guys referring to the System Reserved partition?

It doesn’t matter he clean installed the drive.

…. When I try to defrag it, I get the message “Disk Defragmenter was scheduled using another program. …

That means at some point you installed a 3rd party defragger that subsumed Windows Defrag app or really was nothing more than a menu shell that then used Windows Defrag app.

Additionally, SSDs generate no heat, use less power and are silent. They come with 3 yr warranties; does the HDD? It is essentially shock proof if the laptop is dropped. Compare that with an HDD.

Sure, the HDD may have greater capacity for the dollar, but if you are finally filling that 120GB drive then you don’t need more than a 250GB model to keep you happy for some time to come.

In the meantime, might want to free up some space on that old HDD.

http://lifehacker.com/recover-tons-of-wasted-disk-space-with-the-new-windows-1442937625 – my record was over 16GB being wasted on one drive freed up with this option. The longer the installation and not running Disk Cleanup the bigger is sitting there waiting to be cleaned up once this update is installed.

http://www.hanselman.com/blog/GuideToFreeingUpDiskSpaceUnderWindows7.aspx

One runs in a secure boot environment and the other knows not how?

Totally agree. Same situations as popup blockers years ago. Websites are trying to make some money with ads. If you want access you know their price. Pay up or go. Sometimes I comply, most times I flee. Sometimes if you click just off their notice it goes away and you can continue on.

harrumph … when you effectively become a monopoly you can arrogantly give your customers the finger. Will someone develop 3rd party drivers to slipstream for older CPUs?

I’d say you got lucky. I imagine you are trying to figure out what you were doing just before 10:52 that initiated the infection. And probably wondering what killed it.
Better to be lucky than locky.