Strange Laptop Behavior: Has My Device Been Hacked?

I recently encountered a perplexing situation with my Windows 10 laptop (version 22H2) that left me questioning its security. Last night, after using my laptop as usual, I closed the lid and went to bed, trusting it to remain idle. However, when I returned home from work, I noticed some unusual activity that raised my suspicions.

While I was away, my Spotify unexpectedly started playing from the laptop. It was unexpected, especially since the device should have been in sleep mode. My girlfriend, who was home at the time, also reported that she heard audio coming from the laptop and tried to restore it to sleep mode by simply reopening and closing the lid.

Upon my return, I opened the laptop to find a series of strange occurrences:

• The taskbar had inexplicably been moved.
• Multiple programs and windows were open, including:
• Microsoft Edge, which I seldom use, displaying random MSN tabs.
• Google Earth, with bizarre lines inexplicably drawn across the globe.
• Windows Event Viewer.
• Bulk Crap Uninstaller, which I installed last year but haven’t utilized in quite some time.
• A peculiar screenshot filled with scribbles and random markings.
• The Calculator app.

To address my concerns, I conducted thorough scans using both Windows Defender and Malwarebytes; thankfully, both programs reported no issues. I take precautions to ensure my online safety, such as avoiding sketchy downloads and websites, which made this situation even more alarming.

Now, I’m left with a few pressing questions:

1. Is it possible that someone accessed my laptop remotely or hacked into it?
2. How can I determine what programs were run or which files were accessed during my absence?
3. What proactive measures should I take to investigate this incident and bolster my security moving forward?

I appreciate any insights or solutions to help me better understand this unsettling experience. Your advice will be invaluable in helping me secure my device and peace of mind.