When I change from auto-connection to manual selection and select a server nothing happens or changes, ecpt the name of the servere in the server field changes to to the server I selected
Try to restart Electrum after manually selecting a server from the list then see if the software attempts to connect to the selected server the second time you run it or if it's still automatically trying to connect to a random one.
I agree with nc50lc about Windows Defender not being problematic when it comes to Electrum. Still, you can turn off virus & threat protection and the firewall just to see if it will make a difference. Type "virus" in the Windows search field and click on "Virus & threat protection." Click on "protection history" and see if perhaps the AV placed Electrum on the list or in quarantine. Go back to "Virus & threat protection" and under "Virus & threat protection settings" click "manage settings." Turn everything off there.
Perform a second search for "Firewall & network protection." Again, turn everything off after clicking on "Domain network", "Private network", and "Public network."
Start Electrum again and see if you can get it to connect to a server.
I think Windows will automatically turn on all your AV settings after X minutes. If not, make sure you double check everything and turn it back on.