Windows breaks:
- find a Windows installation Disc or USB (1 hour)
- backup files from broken installation (2 hours)
- Install windows (15 minutes)
- Install Windows updates (8 hours) 4a. Debloat/Decrapify Windows (30 minutes)
- Restore backed up files (2 hours)
- Find and install previously installed programs (??? Years)
- Try to remember accounts and special settings for special previously installed programs (3 hours)
Done in 16 hours
Linux Breaks
- Find Linux Live USB (5 minutes)
- Reinstall Linux (10 minutes)
- Install updates (20 minutes)
- Reinstall previously installed programs (5 minutes)
Done in <1 hour and spend the rest of the weekend playing Elden Ring
Separate /home partitions are a godsend.