Same here, saw the writing on the wall after 7 and tried Linux gaming a few times but it was rough back then so I always came back. I did however start at least dual booting with 7 onwards so apart from gaming I was a convert at that time.
This year finally got tired of all the crap, them trying to railroad AI junk in, ruining the control panel, absolutely BURYING settings, turning ones back on with updates, the entire operating system is a dark pattern when it used to be so much more streamlined. Switched to Bazzite and it feels like I’m almost back to Windows 7 except I don’t have to install drivers or anything, just install it, add any apps through the store and you’re off. What they’ve done to windows is ridiculous to me and I’ll never come back.
Best part is it’s $5000 because they get to name their price. These sensors, headlights, etc, cost nowhere near that, but where else are you gonna go get em?
So in a few years when your new car has depreciated to somewhere around 10k and you get a massive repair bill? Well most people are scrapping if and getting another car, convenient for them