I agree completely. My desktop still runs Windows 7 flawlessly. Windows 10 on my laptop works okay but it is over complicated to find out how to do certain things and, in my opinion, it is one big piece of spyware programming.
There are literally dozens of places where Microsoft noses around in your stuff by default and you have to figure out where they are and how to turn them off.
I use open Office, Corel Draw and irfanview, which is a great little piece of software for pictures. Even though I am I an accomplished user of coreldraw and photo paint I use irfanview view quite a bit. Even though it’s technically free I do donate because I think the author did a great job on it.
I’ve been using Thunderbird on all my machines from the early days. Because I have my own business website / domain my email addresses are on that. I only use my Gmail address for odds and ends and things that I sign up for.
I use Windows 7 on my desktop pc. I have Windows 10 on a laptop but do not like it. I use at work as well.
Protect your pc and backup files. Some are free and others cost some money.
Webroot - anti virus
Malwarebytes - anti spyware / ransomware
EaseUS Todo Backup Home 11.5 - backup files
FreeFileSync - backup files - free
RealTimeSync - backup files - free
MiniTool Partition Wizard - partition the hard drive - free
LibreOffice (free) - replace Microsoft Office
Wordperfect - Office
CCleaner - cleanup pc - free
4K Video Downloader - free
GIMP 2.10.12 - paint program - free
Oracle VM VirtualBox - run programs in a virtual windows such as Windows XP or Windows 7, Windows 10, Linux - free
TFC - Temp File Cleaner - free
Long Path Fixer - when Windows won’t let you copy file elsewhere - free
TakeOwnershipEx - when Windows will not let you rename or delete a file - free
Tweaking.com - Envelope Printer - free
Dreamweaver cs6 - make webpages
Expression Web 4 - make webpages - Free
FileZilla Client - FTP program to upload webpages/files to your site - free