Idiots guide required . What do I open the firmware with on Windows 10 ?

> Model: D7000|Nighthawk AC1900 VDSL/ADSL Modem Router

   D7000[v1] or D7000v2?  Look for "Model" on the product label.
Firmware version?  Connected to what?

> I cannot access the exe.file from the firmware download, [...]

   Who said that there's a "exe.file"?  _Which_ "the firmware download"?

> [...] just release notes. [...]

   Look again?

> [...] What do I use to access this file to install the firmware ?

   Many people begin with the obvious:

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RTFM

   Visit http://netgear.com/support , put in your (actual) model number,
and look for Documentation.  Get the User Manual (at least).  Read.
Look for "firmware"?  Further reading might not hurt, either.

   Visit http://netgear.com/support , put in your (actual) model number,
and look for Downloads.  (For older versions, under Firmware and
Software Downloads, look for "View Previous Versions".)  Find the
kit(s).  Download the kit(s) you want.  Read the "Release Notes" file
for instructions.  (In the User Manual, look for "firmware", and,
especially, for a topic like "Manually Upload Firmware to the Router".)
When that fails because of a deficient User Manual, try:

      https://kb.netgear.com/23960

> [...] Also, are there any drivers to avoid ? [...]

   "drivers" for what?  Did you see "drivers" mentioned in the User
Manual?