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Thank you for trying to help, but this is exactly why I am fed up with W10. I am forced to FIGHT the operating system rather than simply USE it, and as you point out this is a never-ending war because Microsoft can and will wipe out my adjustments with their "updates". Maybe this is fun for younger people. (Gives them a sense of accomplishment when they defeat Microsoft, however temporarily?) To me it is just a horrible waste of my remaining time and energy.

Yet much of the free software are enhancements, extending customization, as well as reverting some (as we see it) wrong choices by MS. This includes W/11 which has resulted in software to revert it back to W/10, and to W/7 in some respects.

Most Windows users do not even know about the level of safe and free enhancements available, which they should find improve Windows despite MS upgrades which overall are negative as regards efficient functionality.

Like Open Shell, download Open Shell (click on Releases>Latest on middle right side) to replace the mobile device W/11 start menu, and there is Explorer Patcher that restores the Windows 11 taskbar to be exactly like Windows 10, while Windows 7+ Taskbar Tweaker (I am using the beta ver.) provides more customization.
Then there are the over 200 tweaks available in Ultimate Windows Tweaker 4 and now there is Ultimate Windows Tweaker 5 for Windows 11 from the Windows club.

Add to this the many Winaero features of the Winaero Tweaker and is Right-Click Extender (add items to many right click menus)

Composite image:

Linux distros themselves seem to copy the idea that sparse menus, spaced out icons, are best.