@catacaustic:
There is no .htaccess file anywhere on the local server. I have windows set to display hidden files & folders. It is not hidden.
I have re-downloaded wp v3.9.1 MANY times, the last time was today, which when I checked does NOT match the code on that page. Perhaps the documentation is out of date? Feel free to check it again yourself, and you'll see that it does not match.