...Start Menu is still very app-orientated. I guess they don't care much for people using programs that they don't get a cut from.
You can customize the start menu with onboard options.
Example for a minimalistic startmenu:
Not sure why stuff like this isn't a design option in the settings.
I certainly do like Win10. It runs properly, stable, and isn't a ressource hog either. The sleak and minimalistic default design i also prefer over older versions. Bugs i haven't encountered at all so far, besides a few outdated drivers not working - duh.
Apple, Google, Facebook, etc, are certainly not that different in terms of data mining, and everyone should decide for himself what to use, and what not.
Though i kinda have to agree with Ciez. The default privacy settings of Win10 are one hell of a joke and f'ing annoying to get rid off, with basic settings all over the place, services that run for no reason, including some that can only be removed properly via permissions.
Apropo jokes: i wanted to test the update feature on one PC. And Microsoft is so kind to force change the installation language due geo IP.
And hey, windows always liked to run all kinds of crap by default, so there's that.