CHIRP

Which Windows 10? It must be a 64-bit, not 32-bit, Windows 10 and not a version that is in "S" mode.

Windows 10 64-bit

No "s" mode

i tried a regedit solution and no go. chirp next installer doesn't get past the license screen before it closes.

Then try the win32.zip version that doesn't require installation. Download the ZIP archive to a convenient location on you computer's hard drive. UnZIP it. Then launch by double-clicking on the chirpwx.exe file.