Windows 10: Microphone issue not solved with latest driver update

It appears, from what you have done, that the on board sound is trashed. Depending on what you want from sound, cheap USB connected sound devices may work for you and something to consider as a cheap way to verify that the on-board sound chip is defective. I've seen them for under $10. Look at Computer Parts, Laptops, Electronics, and More - Newegg.com or Amazon.

 

For now, all I need is something good enough for game chat, so I've ordered a USB one. But in the future, I'll need something good enough for sound recording, so I was going to pick up a better PCI one anyway. Hopefully I can wait on that, though.

 

I have a recording studio. For serious sound recording you want a dedicated recording interface unit, NOT a PC sound card. PC sound cards tend to have very poor (high) latency and generally poor Signal to Noise ratio. For a two channel unit, that will accept microphones or instruments you can get a USB connected unit for less than $150 (even under $100 for the low end models).

The Focusrite 2i2 2nd generation is popular for a two channel unit.
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2

Avoid Presonus and Behringer.

 

Ok, thanks for the info. And thanks for helping me with this.