As someone who helped friends/family build PC gaming rigs multiple times last year (2023) I understand what you’re coming from W11 installer is pure dogshit.
Tbh tho, my dad always hated new Windows versions because he didn’t want to learn a new UI/UX, which I fine, but the windows experience isnt that hard to learn, even if it is different. Same thing with Linux, if you use GNOME/KDE/i3/hyprland/sway/<insert any DE/WM here> for the first time it won’t be easy to find all of the settings either.
But the W11 installer in particular sucks ass. There is so many restrictions that try to prevent you from even installing it. The one rescue for me was downloading the Rufus USB ISO tool and letting it download the W11 installer itself and apply patches which removed all the ridiculous restrictions.
I mean, you can even rub that shit in Virtual box if you want. My GF is literally running it on “unsupported hardware” according to Microsoft but windows updates and everything post-install is completely functional.
Only reason Mictorsoft Philips wants the restrictions is to have a tighter grip on the ecosystem and limit end consumers from installing it themselves and pushing that part to other companies or retailers which they can buy finished products (laptops etc) from instead of licenses.
I think this is the best outcome that could currently happen. If they got a ruling it’s very possible that Nintendo would win. That would probably cascade through the entire emulation scene and bring down countless other projects.
(Disclaimer: I’m not American and I’m not very knowledgeable in the American court system. Feel free to correct/inform me if I’m misunderstanding or missing information on this statement.)
Edit: just realized they had to take everything down aswell, that very much sucks.