> anyone capable of using Linux is capable of hacking out that BS and getting a generally superior experience.

Go ahead, try to delete the useless Microsoft Edge browser if you're not in a select few EU countries.

In my experience, you can't do it cleanly. Asking LLMs will tell you the following:

1)Modify a certain registry key to enable deletion. Which I did, but the only thing that accomplished is un-gray the delete button in the Control Panel. Once you press it nothing happens.

2)Windows will eventually reinstall Edge. So you're basically screwed.