@drunkabilly said:
turn off 'View Hidden Geometry' turn to 'Wireframe' select ALL by dragging the selection box (left to right or right to left)
....
This is all you need to do as far as selecting is concerned. (You have too many steps)
In 'Entity Info' you'll see only edges selected.
The boxes soft, smooth and hidden may be checked but greyed out due to the variety of edge's properties. Just uncheck all these three options.
Edit. your 1) should now be 1) turn ON 'View Hidden Geometry'
So there are only the three steps with this change in step 1)