[Aachen]

I don't think I've reinstalled since around 2014, when I switched to a different Linux distribution. It's just a pain and while it cleans up some unused packages, what's the point really? Why do you reinstall Windows every 18 months?

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?

[megous]

Windows is just less organized, with files appearing all over the place and without user having knowledge what's really needed.

On Arch Linux, all system files are listed, along with their content hashes and expected permissions/ownership, in the installed package database. So it's possible to just list changed files in /etc or unexpected files in the system, or files with unexpected permissions, and do a manual cleanup/checkup if needed. No idea how I'd even approach that on Windows.

I guess the only time I'd need to re-install would be if I messed the system so bad that manual fixup would be too laborious over fresh setup and reconfiguration. (And I'd have to lose system backups too)

[MortyWaves]

Windows seems to insistent on crappifying itself. Even if you have a small set of installed applications, many of them behave poorly. Lots and lots of small paper cuts add up. A few dozen registry entries here, a few files there, seven or eight Explorer right click menu extensions (like eg “Edit with X” instead of just using the normal “Open With”) setup by installers.

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.