New Install issue (I think!)

HI, I just installed the Windows version (2.4.2) on my W7 Laptop. I run it once after install, then the second time I start it up I find that the Recording Device field, and the Recording Channels field are both blank! Then the system will not work! Any ideas? Thank you

W7 is too old for the Latest Audacity, (2.4.2).
Try an older version, 2.3.3 ? … https://www.audacityteam.org/download/legacy-windows/