H oakridge,
I am Dave, I will help you with this.
Is it Windows settings that are not being saved after a restart?
If it is, there can be two reasons for that, either Windows is not activated correctly, or your Microsoft Account sync settings are replacing the changes you have made.
Open the Settings App, then go to Update and security - Activation, is Windows 10 activated?
if Windows is activated, in the Settings App, go to Accounts - Sync your Settings.
Turn off all options on that settings page.
Then, restart (not shut down) your PC.
Then apply your settings changes and test if they are remembered after you restart your PC.