My peace of mind comes from my self hosting in 2025 looking the same as my self-hosting in 2005 (except a move to systemd). I haven't even re-installed my workstation OS since 2006 or so.
replies(3):
One change I made that may help with this, is to not install crap on the host that I don't plan to use for a long time. Trying out a new database server or want to set up an Android IDE for a temporary project? Use a VM, don't clutter up random files all over the host. Is this what is happening on your Windows perhaps?
The end result is right clicking has noticeable delay in some directories. Boot takes a few seconds longer than it did the first time it was installed. Some applications, even Task Manager inexplicably hang with a white window for a few seconds.
The shell (part of Explorer) no longer displaying anything when searching in the start menu (because it tries to connect to the internet to search bing and that sometimes stops working rendering half the start menu useless).
The “modern” settings app hanging with its blue window and icon for anywhere from seconds to indefinitely.
It’s just a lot of this bullshit that adds up. Reinstalling Windows makes it like it was day one.