Heh I feel you, when a new Ubuntu comes out sometimes I just fresh install just cause you never know, though I have upgraded in the past. If you install Ubuntu and then want a new Desktop Environment, it doesn't feel quite right, because the original install defined defaults that the new DE isn't setting itself for / against.

On Windows I don't reformat anymore like I used to, and I used to reformat a lot because I would disable "useless" Windows services to save on RAM (back when I had 3GB of RAM, and then 8GB). When I stopped doing that, my OS was working fine for years and years.

This is why I use Manjaro. DE keeps updating as does everything else; no reinstalls required.

I agree to a degree.

I like the approach of Arch. I do a clean install, add the applications that I want, and leave virtually all of the settings at their defaults. In one respect it is a highly customized system since the installed software is tailored to my needs. On the other hand, I am not spending time tweaking settings.

When I use systems where the vendor installs a lot of software by default (it doesn't matter whether it's another Linux distribution or Windows), I am easily annoyed by how much stuff gets in my way visually or in terms of performances. That leaves me with an intense desire to debloat. I try to resist the urge, but am usually unsuccessful.

I've started embracing the defaults too. At least, when I can stand them. Having to spend all day configuring an OS is not great. I love the freedom of being able to settle into any workstation and feel comfortable with it.

I learned to love progress bars and its liberating.

Every time I need to get something done, I can instead look at a progress bar slowly filling up.