Doing this allows the adapter to start, find networks and connect to either 2.4 or 5GHz. If I go to Device Manager and change some adapter settings, I think it was, WMM Disabled to Enabled, Roaming Aggressiveness to Lowest, and HT Mode from VHT to HT (limiting Wi-Fi to 300Mbps). Without installing any drivers, just using the In-The-Box v17.15 drivers on a new install I get Code 10 errors. I, too, have a Realtek LAN but it has never been a problem with any of the Win10 installs I've done. I think you may be on to something here, I had similar thoughts yesterday as I tried a fresh Windows 10 install with my AC-7265ngw. I'm hopeful one of the OEMs will release a fixed driver, I think they'll have to given how ubiquitous the problem seems to be. No, I'm satisfied that fix is just use Linux day-to-day while I periodically try updated drivers. Really, ' Installing or upgrading the various Intel® Wireless Adapters by end users is not supported by Intel.' The fourth link is rehash of links 2 and 3, along with letting me know Intel doesn't provide support for its own Wireless Adapters. And all my adapters work with Linux, ruling out any BIOS-related hardware incompatibility. But in my case, I don't receive either error mentioned (boot error or Unknown device). Specifically, a manufacturer imposed 'whitelist' of approved adapters. The third link pertains to swapping an Intel adapter in a computer that either did or did not previously have an Intel adapter. may be illegal.' and '.the party installing the device is responsible for those approvals.' Very well, I take full responsibility for any legal consequences.

The second link speaks nothing to compatibility or operability, only legality and only in very vague terms. Then tells me to troubleshoot ' Incompatible, outdated, or corrupted device drivers.' Ouch, Microsoft points the finger back at Intel. Check and double check, I've tried nearly every driver from 17.0.0.34 to 18.11.0.8. The first link to Microsoft and Code 10 suggests the Common Resolution is to update drivers. Unfortunately, the links provided aren't very pertinent.

I'm past that having read the many 7260/7265 related threads between here, Dell and forums.

Intel ac 7260 windows 10 driver