That is a common and warranted complaint. However, as said, it can be customized to be just as quick as XP or W/7, with more functionality than the former.
I use AutoHotKey to make keyboard shortcuts for numerous things, and do not use some of the default places MS provides for user docs and images etc..
A second drive is also recommended, or at least a partition for your main drive.
Let me know what takes you extra steps. Have you tried Classic Shell? (See article.) Are you familiar with the Run command (Windows key and R)?
get a refund on that laptop and go buy a Dell Latitude E5530 or E6530 laptop with Windows 7 Pro pre-installed. Dell is being forced to offer ALL of their business class PC line with Windows 7 Pro as the pre-installed default option because the enterprise and government will NOT be “upgrading” to Windows 8. They’re skipping it just like the skipped Vista because the know it’s a total piece of crap. Vista was a disaster for Dell because they unsuccessfully tried to push it on the enterprise. Dell wishes to stay in business a few more months, so they’re selling Windows 7 to businesses. On the other hand, Dell continues to screw their consumer customers like they always have.