I always recommend switching to Linux in these cases, where you get full control over whatever the hell you want to upate, and whenever the hell you want to update it (and less incentive to disable updates in general).

I am aware of this. That's why I use GNU/Linux on a daily basis :) I only use Windows through a virtual machine and that's where I have removed all the telemetry and bloatware that comes with it. And yes, Linux updates always bring me good feelings (unlike Windows, where I always have the feeling that something is going to break).

Yeah but you also are not getting security updates. Which is the problem with disabling Windows updates because it serves both necessary security updates and “feature” updates nobody wants, through the same channel, and there’s no way to disable just the latter. And Windows seems to have way more security issues than any other mainstream OS.

Anyway, the only things I disable are automatic updates and background tasks (I allow updates, but I choose when to update).