My personal computer is a Windows 11 desktop and I performed a clean install when I got it. So now I don't have any pre-installed apps from the manufacturer. I did use a Microsoft account to sign in, and then just removed or customized whatever I didn't like

Do you mean these taskbar labels?

You can hide the news button on the taskbar and I uninstalled all of those extra, pre-installed, bloat apps. My taskbar looks just as clean as it has for the past 20 years.

I am on Windows 11. The UI has been more consistent than 10 ever was and I am curious where the ads are.

I'm a Gen Z working in the Comp Sci field. Most people my age know how to work technology but don't know how technology works.

Knowing what buttons to tap in an app to get it to do what you want is one thing. However, it's a different pool of knowledge to understand what's going on when those buttons get tapped.

Familiarity with tech is high, and I think that gives many in my generation a false sense of security.