Typing 1 letter and getting several different ones, many examples

Why This Happens:​

1. Driver Mismatch or Corruption:
   • Windows Update sometimes installs generic or "improved" drivers, which may not work optimally with older hardware. If the driver for the USB controller or keyboard itself is problematic, it can cause erratic behavior.
2. USB Port Wear or Power Delivery Issues:
   • If the computer is older, the physical USB ports can degrade or fail intermittently. This could cause data integrity issues where input signals get "mixed."
3. Microsoft’s Move to W11/W12:
   • Your observation about Microsoft pushing users toward Windows 11 and beyond isn’t far-fetched. Older systems may experience compatibility issues, either from hardware limitations or intentional shift in driver support.

Suggested Fixes:​

1. Check for Driver Changes:
   • Open Device Manager (Win + X > Device Manager).
   • Look under Keyboards and Universal Serial Bus controllers for warning icons or anomalies.
   • Right-click the keyboard driver, select Properties > Driver tab, and click Roll Back Driver if an update was applied recently.
   • Alternatively, reinstall the manufacturer's driver if it’s a branded external keyboard.
2. Prevent Windows from Updating the Driver:
   • After fixing the current driver, block driver updates to preserve stability:
     • Open Group Policy Editor:
     • Navigate to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage updates offered from Windows Update.
     • Enable Do not include drivers with Windows Updates.
       For Windows 10 Home, this can be achieved via a registry tweak instead.
3. Test Another USB Port:
   • Unplug the keyboard, wait a few seconds as you suggested (great advice!), and plug it into a different USB port.
   • For older systems, prioritize USB 2.0 ports over USB 3.0 since some older keyboards have compatibility quirks with newer standards.
4. Test the Keyboard Elsewhere:
   • Plug the keyboard into another computer to see if the problem persists. If the issue happens on multiple systems, the keyboard itself may be at fault.
5. Replace the Keyboard (if hardware is the issue):
   • If the keyboard is older and exhibits the same issue on multiple systems, it may be time for an upgrade. Consider this before assuming the computer is the sole culprit.

Preparing for Windows 11/12 Transition:​

• Even if the computer in question won’t officially support Windows 11, there are ways to stretch its lifespan:
  • Keep drivers manually up to date.
  • If push comes to shove in the future, lightweight Linux distributions can breathe new life into older systems. (But hopefully, that's not a bridge you need to cross yet!)