“She has switched the laptop off between uses”…It’s not going to maintain a wireless connection when it’s switched off. How could it? It should, however, automatically reconnect when it starts up, providing it has been set to automatically connect that is.
Windows 10, you say… Right click the start button and go into Settings. Select Network & Internet and then select Wi-Fi from the list on the left. Click on the link for “Manage known networks”. The care home Wi-Fi should be in the list that appears. Click on it and click the Properties button. Make sure “Connect automatically when in range” is enabled.
You shouldn’t need to edit the registry to reset the power plan and from what you have just said, I think the problem is a bit more fundamental than that. However, if you want to look at the power management, the old-fashioned method is the best on Windows 10. Type “control” in the search box and select Control Panel. Then click Power Options. Click the link for “Change plan settings” next to the recommended power plan. Then click the link for “Change advanced power settings”. Open up "Wireless Adapter Settings" by clicking the little + sign next to it and then open Power Saving Mode. Select Maximum Performance.
