only one answer fits... use deepfreeze... install shit you want to test out with deepfreeze on if it sucks reboot... if it works as intended.. reboot then install it permanently... However some apps may require you to reboot after installing... so VM is the only other option

Simple stop updating what needs no updating... most of the MS updates address specific issues (IF YOUR HAVING THOSE ISSUES) just because its there do not mean you need it

you may need to check some of the game requirements... they may need specific amounts of free space to function properly... also if your tweaked ram, video drivers or anything like that check it again... some tweaks can actually have the opposite effect

so sorry but Junk in Junk Out... you can not blame an OS for something an End User did... In most cases simply knowing how to search for apps that are compatible for the OS you are running is half the problem... I am a tech of over 30 years and I can tell you I remember back when installing a wrong mouse driver made…