I suspect ME was a bizarre prank.
Vista was a horror show.
Much like the 7 Ultimate I use, the security was *so* insanely tight that you could not access your own files, half the time.
Sharing files on the network was madness.
I loved XP and still run it on a few laptops but I never thought I would cozy up to 7.
I’m okay with it, now, as I fiddle with my settings until I have nearly an XP interface, again.
I have a Panasonic Toughbook still running Win98.
;D
My conclusion about these abortive releases, is that the software engineers at MS have too often been pushed by management to get new product out before it's ready for prime time.
Get the stupid bean counters out of the way, and I'll bet the engineers will make every new iteration of Windows a real improvement and a joy to use.