I also use Windows occasionally to launch a single game. My experience is the same as yours. All sorts of nags that have nothing to do with launching a single game. Every update either breaks stuff, changes settings, or adds ads somewhere.

I return to my main Mac after 2 months on the road, and nothing has changed. It boots right up, and might occasionally ask me if I want to install updates in the evening.

I bought another Mac recently. I didn't have to turn a bunch of things off. I wasn't tricked into accepting anything. By comparison it took me a whole day to update my Surface tablet and turn off all manners of growth hacking before I returned it.

If someone behaved like Microsoft does, I'd keep an eye on my drink when they're around.