I really do like Windows, but it has a lot of issues for me:
Pushing its users to Microsoft Accounts, telemetry, ads, bloatware it automatically installs, and last but not least inconsistencies all the way through the OS - and adding another design-layer with windows 11 wont help that.
I think microsoft really need to address some of this and get back to the needs of "prosumers". I personally want a slim but nice looking OS.
The only thing keeping me away from Linux at this point are games. I know, Proton opened huge possibilities but unfortunately it is not enough in my case.
Either games won't work because of DRM (e.g. FallGuys), or the game itself runs fine but needed mods to run online-multiplayer are not possible on Linux. (e.g. Command & Conquer 3 + CnC-Online)
"Pushing" really is the thing that bother me most about Windows. Just so pushy about a lot of stuff. Putting things here, there, switching it around, turning it off when it was always on, and vice versa. I just have the feeling that it very strongly wants something, and that's not what I want.
Windows as a requirement is really unfortunate. I have the same reasons as you to keep it around. Win compatibility came a really, really long way, but anti-cheat will always be a problem, which cuts out a good chunk of games.
I've said for years the day I can reliably play League of Legends on Linux you'll never see me using anything else at home again. Just frustrating that gaming is still largely a best-effort crapshoot despite all the work by Valve and others.
Last summer all I had was a linux box to play games, and I found that a lot of games I wanted to play (like the witcher 3) worked surprisingly well via Proton. I think the main issues come from the massive GaaS like LoL and Destiny that have so many moving parts and points of failure.
The only thing keeping me away from Linux at this point are games. I know, Proton opened huge possibilities but unfortunately it is not enough in my case. Either games won't work because of DRM (e.g. FallGuys), or the game itself runs fine but needed mods to run online-multiplayer are not possible on Linux. (e.g. Command & Conquer 3 + CnC-Online)