@Rarebear Followed your suggestion. Tabbed through everything in the device manager; all devices working properly.
I decided to try another Windows Update but was unable to select the check box to initiate the download and installation.
So for the past two days I’ve been restarting, safe starting, trying to activate disc cleaner software, disengaging and reengaging USB ports, tabbing through this and that, practically everything I could think of short of calling Windows Support or taking the darn thing to Best Buy for repair, until…
…I removed the wireless mouse thingy from a USB port (again) and inserted it into the USB port next to it, and…
…you guessed it…Windows recognizes a new USB device and I get my mouse back.
Before I lost it again, I quickly deleted a few large files, ran my hard drive cleaner utilities and downloaded the most recent Windows Update. Was about to create a new back-up disc but I thought it might be better to get the update out of the way first. The download was at 90% when I left home (2 hours ago), so I’ll see the results later.
Thanks for taking the time to help me out. I only hope the fix is not temporary.