That is why third party add-ons have become required for usability since Win8. Classic shell or Startallback removes all the bullshit "improvements" and makes the system work smoothly.

The only issue I run into is the occasional "Use Edge" bullshit they push out. It's more of an annoyance than anything else.

MS is not the only one with the shenanigans. Every tech company is pushing garbage on their customers.

I swear I spend way too much time disabling the shit that the companies want me to use, so I can use the stuff I do.

We get fucked on consumer protections in general.

Not even MS alone, it seems that my American colleagues are vendor locked in several different ways. It's a bit bewildering honestly.

Yep. I remember some of my coworkers used to laugh at me saying "What bloatware? I don't have any, nor the ads. We've used the same images, so it must've been something you've done yourself".

Turns out that's because I chose en/us during installation process and our region didn't have preinstall deals... yet. Now, they too can enjoy self-installing candy crush and literal KGB spyware.