I need to try windows again. I remember it being more complex than Linux. I switched just so things were easier. Cygwin! Registry editing! Getting a Microsoft degree just to edit my desktop menus. I didn't just sit there and install my programs like a good kid and actually wanted to, you know, do things with my computer. And boy did windows hate me for it.

I'm hoping modern IDEs or just having Linux on standby would make Windows simple enough to use.

Yes on Windows I think disks are not mounted, they are just there on the letters

But that works fine on Linux too. I have not used multi-drive systems much, but I use an encrypted SD card that is liked to a folder in my home so that programs dont even need to write to anything custom. Was like a few clicks and even worked on GNOME, on KDE that is easier too.

Panels, yes. KDE had a separate panel config per monitor which is worse than on Windows. But apart from that, they work out of the box and are really customizable.

GNOME... doesnt allow configurations like at all. You need 3rd party apps for everything, then you can do whatever you want, which also works well.

So maybe that just has changed.