Before I forget these were the exact steps I took to finally make it work.

CLEAN UP

• Clean up your current installations:
• Delete Folders .sf  and .sfdx and local installation
• Uninstall all your previous versions of node and python

FRESH INSTALL (NODE, PYTHON, NODE-GYP)

1. Make sure you have Python 3 installed
   1. During NPM Install of Plugin, it will look for a version of Python installed, else it will fail
2. Install NodeJS LTS 18
   1. Install Node-Gyp using NPM Install command (NPM comes with NodeJS)
   2. Otherwise, the NPM installation of the Plugin will automatically install NODE-GYP for you

Install SF CLI

• Install SF CLI using NPM!!!!!!  not the stupid Windows MSI Installer
  • https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.sfdx_setup.meta/sfdx_setup/sfdx_setup_install_cli.htm#sfdx_setup_install_cli_npm
  • NPM is a two step process
    • Install .sfdx
    • Install .sf

TEST SF CLI

• After you have installed .sf and .sfdx  (This will get you the latest version)
• AUTHENTICATE an ORG
• Test it by connecting to your Sandbox
  • If you can't authenticate using standard web login try this
    • sfdx force:auth:device:login --instanceurl <your custom or test.salesforce.com> --setdefaultusername
    • This will display a user code within the cmd window
    • Enter that Code after  you open 
    • YOU MUST Enter the URL that you started with
    • https://<The URL You specified above>/setup/connect in a browser

Now here is the FUN
Several repeat steps were needed

Step1: sfdx plugins:install @salesforce/lwc-dev-server 

• This will fail with that stupid YARN Error Message

Step2: npm install -g @salesforce/lwc-dev-server

• This will properly install Node-Gyp for you
• It will also pass the python check sinced you installed it at the very beginning
• gyp info it worked if it ends with ok
  gyp info using node-gyp@9.3.1
  gyp info using node@18.16.0 | win32 | x64
  gyp info find Python using Python version 3.11.3 found at "C:\Python311\python.exe"
• But it will Burp about not having Visual Studio
  • 7756 error gyp ERR! find VS could not use PowerShell to find Visual Studio 2017 or newer, try re-running with '--loglevel silly' for more details
    7756 error gyp ERR! find VS looking for Visual Studio 2015
    7756 error gyp ERR! find VS - not found
    7756 error gyp ERR! find VS not looking for VS2013 as it is only supported up to Node.js 8
    7756 error gyp ERR! find VS 
    7756 error gyp ERR! find VS **************************************************************
    7756 error gyp ERR! find VS You need to install the latest version of Visual Studio
    7756 error gyp ERR! find VS including the "Desktop development with C++" workload.
  • NO PROBLEM 
  • RUN npm install --global windows-build-tools
    •  This will also FAIL, but it downsloads the VS17 exe file for you
    • This is saved in
    • C:\Users\your name\.windows-build-tools\vs_BuildTools.exe
    • Install it and MAKE SURE YOU Select
    • VS including the "Desktop development with C++" workload.

Step3: RUN IT AGAIN npm install -g @salesforce/lwc-dev-server

• This time it will detect Python and the Version of Visual Studio 17
• It will load all the packages with no errors, but the plug in is still not installed
• you will see something like this
• added 1218 packages, and changed 1 package in 7m
  102 packages are looking for funding
• I ALMOST QUIT AT THIS POINT

Step4: RUN IT AGAIN the SFDX command PLUGIN again

• sfdx plugins:install @salesforce/lwc-dev-server 
• GOSH DARN IT - IT FINALLY Installed
  • @salesforce/lwc-dev-server... \ [2/4] Fetching packages...
    warning "@salesforce/lwc-dev-server > @rollup/plugin-alias@3.1.9" has unmet peer dependency "rollup@^1.20.0||^2.0.0".
    warning "@salesforce/lwc-dev-server > request-promise-native@1.0.9" has unmet peer dependency "request@^2.34".
    warning "@salesforce/lwc-dev-server > request-promise-native > request-promise-core@1.1.4" has unmet peer dependency "reqInstalling plugin @salesforce/lwc-dev-server... installed v2.11.0

In Summary
Python 3
Nodejs 18 LTS
Visual Studio 17 and Desktop Build
Multiple Plug-in Install steps
(See my step by step above)

 

Anyways, I HOPE THIS IS Useful, because I scoured the internet for answers.  TRUST ME.  All the answers had some truth, but none worked for me.  UNTIL THIS DAY!!!!!