Secure Link to iTunes Failed (Win7 x64bit - Read the other posts)

Hi - I have reviewed multiple (I might dare say - EVERY related) posts in both Apple and Microsoft Support pages and have tried numerous suggestions (summarized below) with no success. It appears that "wiclee" (wiclee is the best subject matter expert on this.

Problem: At some point, my iTunes no longer connects to the iTunes store and the diagnostics returns the error "Secure Link to iTunes failed" Clicking "Help" opens a blank window that says the Help cannot reach Apple (even though I have connectivity). iTunes DOES open / work (i.e. let me backup/sync my iPhone/iPad) but I can't get to the store.

Please review my troubleshooting summary and diagnostic extract and provide any support. I did notice most of the support posts on this topic were from the 2012-2013 timeframe so I'm hoping there is something simple I haven't tried yet. I've been working this for weeks and it's getting frustrating to say the least.

***Summary of Troubleshooting (if a system had to be ran, I "Ran as Administrator" and I am an Administrator account:

- I am on a home network with no firewall on the router (and worked previously).

- I am NOT using VPN or Proxy server

- I can reach the iTunes store on my iPhone and Mac

- Quicktime hasn't been installed for a while (no longer supported)

- Rebooted more times than can count (and after every major change/update)

- Repaired / Removed / Reinstalled iTunes (as well as Bonjour, and all Apple-related programs)

- Restarted / Stopped / Restarted Bonjour & iTunes Helper in Services

- Opened in Safe Mode

- Downloaded the 64-bit iTunes version directly from the website

- Verified all Dell drivers, Microsoft Windows & Microsoft updates are current.

- Verified SSL 3.0 and TSL 1.0 are active in Internet settings

- Verified no competing issues in Winsock (using Microsoft site downloaded "Autoruns" - only had Bonjour and Microsoft processes)

- Verified no issues with Firewall (managed by latest version of McAfee with current updates)

- Verified date/time are current

- Ran the Command prompt (as Administrator) to:

**release & renew ipconfig

**run SFC /scannow (no issues found)

** reset winsock command (with reboot)

- Ran Dell-proprietary system checks for hardware, registry, and drivers (no issues found)

- Installed "as administrator"

- Opened iTunes "as administrator"

- Had fixed previous issues with iTunes not opening by disabling "Apple Push" (no long shows up in Services)

- Reviewed all running / stopped / disabled services with nothing seemingly out of place / blocked-stopped

(If you've gotten this far... Thank You... I just hope you can help)

***Diagnostics Paste****
Microsoft Windows 7 x64 Professional Edition (Build 7600)

Dell Inc. Latitude E6430

iTunes 12.7.0.166

FairPlay 2.13.16

iPod Updater Library 12.0

CD Driver 2.2.3.0

CD Driver DLL 2.1.3.1

Apple Mobile Device 11.0.0.30

Apple Mobile Device Driver 1.67.0.0

Bonjour 3.0.0.2 (765.20)

Gracenote SDK 3.06.1.3084

Gracenote MusicID 3.06.1.3084

Gracenote Submit 3.06.1.3084

Gracenote DSP 3.06.1.3084

iCloud for Windows 6.2.3.17

iTunes Serial Number (deleted)

Current user is an administrator.

The current local date and time is 2017-09-23 15:07:18.

iTunes is not running in safe mode.

WebKit accelerated compositing is enabled.

HDCP is supported.

Core Media is supported.

Video Display Information

NVIDIA, NVIDIA NVS 5200M

Intel Corporation, Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000

**** Runtime Libraries ****

c:\windows\system32\msvcp140.dll: 14.10.25017.0

c:\windows\system32\vcruntime140.dll: 14.10.25017.0

c:\windows\system32\ucrtbase.dll: 10.0.10586.788

c:\windows\system32\msvcp100.dll: 10.0.40219.325

c:\windows\system32\msvcr100.dll: 10.0.40219.325

c:\windows\system32\msvcr120.dll: 12.0.21005.1

c:\windows\system32\msvcp120.dll: 12.0.21005.1

**** External Plug-ins Information ****

No external plug-ins installed.

Bonjour service 3.0.0.2 (765.20) is currently running.

iPodService 12.7.0.166 (x64) is currently running.

iTunesHelper 12.7.0.166 is currently running.

Apple Mobile Device Service service 3.3.0.0 is currently running.

**** Network Connectivity Tests ****

Network Adapter Information

Adapter Name: {7229D1EE-6B03-46CE-82B3-332495F68777}

Description: Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter

IP Address: 0.0.0.0

Subnet Mask: 0.0.0.0

Default Gateway: 0.0.0.0

DHCP Enabled: Yes

DHCP Server:

Lease Obtained: Wed Dec 31 18:00:00 1969

Lease Expires: Wed Dec 31 18:00:00 1969

DNS Servers:

Adapter Name: {5A6E344A-1F84-44A6-AB90-C390712C4034}

Description: Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network)

IP Address: 0.0.0.0

Subnet Mask: 0.0.0.0

Default Gateway: 0.0.0.0

DHCP Enabled: Yes

DHCP Server:

Lease Obtained: Wed Dec 31 18:00:00 1969

Lease Expires: Wed Dec 31 18:00:00 1969

DNS Servers:

Adapter Name: {37F6D9BA-665B-4922-A335-DB3E07CDB24A}

Description: Dell Wireless 1540 802.11a/g/n (2.4GHz/5GHz)

IP Address: 192.168.0.20

Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0

Default Gateway: 192.168.0.1

DHCP Enabled: Yes

DHCP Server: 192.168.0.1

Lease Obtained: Sat Sep 23 14:52:15 2017

Lease Expires: Wed Dec 31 18:00:00 1969

DNS Servers: 209.18.47.61

209.18.47.62

Adapter Name: {B852D909-8B0C-45DC-920A-69176A1F41D7}

Description: Intel(R) 82579LM Gigabit Network Connection

IP Address: 0.0.0.0

Subnet Mask: 0.0.0.0

Default Gateway: 0.0.0.0

DHCP Enabled: Yes

DHCP Server:

Lease Obtained: Wed Dec 31 18:00:00 1969

Lease Expires: Wed Dec 31 18:00:00 1969

DNS Servers:

Active Connection: LAN Connection

Connected: Yes

Online: Yes

Using Modem: No

Using LAN: Yes

Using Proxy: No

Firewall Information

Windows Firewall is on.

iTunes is enabled in Windows Firewall.

Connection attempt to Apple web site was unsuccessful.

The network connection timed out.

Basic connection to the store failed.

The network connection timed out.

Connection attempt to Gracenote server was successful.

iTunes has never successfully accessed the iTunes Store.