@Joseph-TP The driver update was performed during a Windows 11 update.  I don't recall if it was listed as an "optional" update or was part of a package of several updates, but it wasn't something I downloaded, it was done by Windows.  When I go to Windows Update and review the update history, it shows "Realtek Semiconductor Corp. - Net - 1030.52.731.2025 Successfully installed on 12/11/2025", and if I check the driver version when I have issues with the network dropping out repeatedly, it shows that version.  I am fairly certain my issues started happening after this update.  I followed a procedure I found on the TP-Link site, I don't remember if it was in a FAQ or on the forum article, that talked about how to roll back to an older driver, but it seems like the driver file keeps getting overwritten by Windows.  I had the install package for version 1030.44.0408.2024 which I downloaded from this website several months ago, and I attempt to re-install that version, by selecting to uninstall the TP-Link network adapter (and selecting "attempt to remove driver"), reboot, then run the install program I have for version 1030.44.0408.2024.  This works great for a while, and as a matter of fact I just got done doing that for about the 10th time a little while ago.  I show great signal on the Windows system tray icon, plus I have not had any connectivity issues since I did that about half an hour ago.  It just seems like that "updated" driver from Realtek is causing all the problems here.  I'm looking for any suggestions, not sure how to resolve this - I had even attempted to remove the driver file manually after uninstalling, but Windows user permissions prevents me from doing that.  I am assuming you mean for me to "remove unused driver" using that FAQ after uninstalling the device, but before rebooting?  I may try that the next time, I was not aware of that separate step being available.

  @Joseph-TP thanks for the updated information, I just finished performing the steps outlined in the article on disabling the driver updates from Windows update and removed/re-installed the USB network adapter.  This T3U adapter is version 1.0 hardware.

I will test it out over the next day or two and update on here when I know the results.  After re-installing I have confirmed the driver version as reported by device manager is 1030.44.408.2024, and it seems to work great with that driver, so I am hopeful it will remain at that version.

  @Joseph-TP I followed the directions in the solution you posted to disable the Windows driver auto-updates, however after uninstalling the T3U, rebooting, and re-installing with the 1030.44.408.2024 driver package, after only a few minutes Windows over-wrote the driver with the newer 1030.52.731.2025 version.  I had read elsewhere online that Windows update stores a local copy of the update files (I think in a sub-folder under C:\Windows\System32\Driverstore), so I'm guessing those remain even after removing the existing driver files, regardless of whether Windows Update is running.

Beyond this, I had picked up a completely different brand USB wifi dongle, for troubleshooting purposes, and I have pretty much the same issues with that one with disconnects.  Originally I had purchased the Archer T3U because the internal wifi on my laptop (Dell model G16-7630) was having frequent connection issues.  I disabled the internal wifi and purchased the Archer T3U, and when it was running with the "original" driver files, as well as the 1030.44.408.2024 version driver, it worked just fine.  With the updated drivers I get constant disconnects, and I get the same problems using a completely different USB wifi device, so I am thinking I really have a problem in my laptop as opposed to the T3U.  As I understand it, the CPU or chipset is still providing some of the functionality of the wifi connection, with either the internal wifi card or the external USB wifi dongle.  Thanks for the feedback, but at this point I don't plan to pursue further troubleshooting on this issue, as it doesn't appear to be a hardware issue with the USB dongle.