I even go so far as to block all requests to MS Store (via winstore.app.exe) with NetLimiter. I also block outlookcommunications, microsoft.photos.exe and video.ui.exe, all of which I never use but they keep wanting to call home every few days).

Why do you stay with a system whose developer has proven to act against your interest?

What's the alternative? And before you offer some obvious answer, remember that we're in the context of a Windows-only game :)