Let me preface this by saying that I haven't regularly used Windows since I switched to the Mac in 2005, when I purchased my first Mac mini, which also happened to be one of the last PowerPC models. WinXP was the last version of Windows that I used on my daily machine. Even then, back before I considered using alternatives, I tried to get the interface out of the way as much as possible. I hated the WinXP Ronald McDonald interface and tweaked it to make it look and work like Windows 95/98. My favorite version of Windows, if one can have a favorite, was "Chicago", the code name for the beta version of Windows 95. There were certain changes made before final release, probably for compatibility purposes, that appeared to bog things down.
I am fortunate in that I can chose whichever platform I want and not have to worry about other operating systems. Sure, I'd like access to a handful of Windows-only games, but other than that, I'm perfectly happy with using macOS. Still, that doesn't mean I don't enjoy trying out the alternatives, from time to time. Occasionally, I've used various Linux distros inside a VM. I can see why the orderly chaos appeals to some folks. Seeing how I prefer macOS, the only distro that I would have remotely considered switching to was Elementary OS, and seeing how that team recently imploded, I don't think I'd consider switching. Sure, Fedora and Ubuntu aren't going anywhere, but the slapdash nature of Linux isn't for me.
Which brings me back to Windows. Out of curiosity, I've tried most major versions of Windows, upon release. I haven't been forced to use a Microsoft operating systems since WinXP, but have tried up to Win11 and everything between. Never once has a new version of Windows tempted me. As I said, I would like access to a handful of Windows-only games; I'm still using a 2018 Intel Mac mini as my daily machine, and have played an occasional game through Boot Camp. I haven't had Windows 10 installed since August of last year, so even when factoring computer games in the equation, I rarely need it, and despite reputation there are plenty of excellent games on the Mac.
A few months ago, I modified a Windows 11 ISO to bypass the TPM requirements in order to install it inside Boot Camp. I have no need for Win11, but wanted to give the latest from Redmond a shot. As many folks on this forum have pointed out, a Windows PC is built using an antiquated software stack defined in the 1980s, atop an archaic CPU architecture rooted in the 1970s. It's a crumbling facade, a rotten foundation that's slowly collapsing under its own weight. Apple gets a lot of guff for leaving old technologies behind, but it's ultimately better for the ecosystem, developers, professionals, and the average user.
My experience with Win11 was much like with the other versions of Windows that I have tried. It feels to me like Microsoft is constantly trying to play catch-up with macOS, with half-baked features that the Mac had years ago, minus the refinement and quality that we've come to expect from Apple. As a Mac user, I take for granted many of the small things that makes a Mac enjoyable to use. Not having to worry about drivers from a dozen vendors, anti-virus, forced system updates, hacks to disable telemetry spying, poorly hidden baked-in advertising, timed activation, jumping through hoops to change system defaults, and the various other annoyances Microsoft has forced upon their users are things that I am reminded of whenever using Windows, and it seems to get worse with each new version.
Every once in a while I consider building a custom PC, just for gaming; I have the resources and knowhow. However, when I actually give Windows a fair shot, I realize that it isn't worth the bother, never mind all of the issues with PC hardware, such as precarious BIOS updates, long-term driver support, device longevity, questionable warranty coverage, heat and noise, power usage, etc. Apple spoils us with the Mac experience, things that require substantial attention with a Windows PC aren't a second thought on the Mac. Even aspects where the PC is perceived to be more versatile, such as configuration choices, price differential, and games selection are overblown in favor of PC, mainly based upon the opinions of partisans who have an agenda.
In my mind, Windows feels like it's always a few years behind macOS, and that's specifically new features while disregarding all of the leftover cruft that middle-management insists upon. Still, it's always good to have options, stagnation is the enemy of innovation. Apple isn't perfect, but in my opinion, the Mac experience is unrivaled.
