You're not in IT, are you?

Do you know what microcode patching even is and why it is in many ways superior to simple file patching?

There is no effort. You just sign up for an account and install their systray program. It's as easy to set up as a subscription VPN service. All the patching is done live in memory first and in 4 years I've needed to reboot exactly twice.

I have a huge stack of retro games and code projects that work very poorly on Win10, as well as the fact that my Win7 version is Ultimate so I make a lot of use of XP mode virtual machine and booting from virtual disk on bare metal for my moderately older games (something I can't do with my win10 home license). Can't even get win10 drivers for half of my hardware on that box.

Also kind of annoyed by your hostility so you're blocked now.