I think that Microsoft could fix this fairly easily: make an easy opt out for Cortana and telemetry, offer more control over security options.
I totally sympathize with Microsoft for wanting everyone to be on Windows 10, with continuous updates (security and otherwise). Better for them and long term probably better for users.
I don't use OS X anymore but when I did, I liked always being at the latest update.
Except for my iPad, I use Ubuntu Linux laptops and like keeping every device up to date.
Pardon a tangent, but: society as a whole really needs a "going to the moon" level global project to harden computing devices. As an end user of technology I am willing to keep my devices up to date and I try to be understanding of Apple, Microsft, and Ubuntu (and other Linud distros).
I wouldn't mind paying twice the price of Windows 10 Pro if I could select what I want installed and the OS respected that. No telemetry, no Cortana, no Windows Stores apps if I need to have a MS account. No missclick-based features (you click yes and suddenly your local account is now an online account).
Since I'm stuck with this crap forever (Adobe, Office, games, etc) at least let me pay you not spy on me and install your crapware. And let ME control MY PC.
I bought a really cheap Windows machine a year ago, curious about Windows 10 (I have Linux on it now). I bought it directly from Microsoft's store, and as a 'signature edition', it had no 3rd party crapware installed.
You do know that both Adobe apps and Office apps are natively available for Mac? Games are still a problem though, but you can dual-boot just for games.
I totally sympathize with Microsoft for wanting everyone to be on Windows 10, with continuous updates (security and otherwise). Better for them and long term probably better for users.
I don't use OS X anymore but when I did, I liked always being at the latest update.
Except for my iPad, I use Ubuntu Linux laptops and like keeping every device up to date.
Pardon a tangent, but: society as a whole really needs a "going to the moon" level global project to harden computing devices. As an end user of technology I am willing to keep my devices up to date and I try to be understanding of Apple, Microsft, and Ubuntu (and other Linud distros).