In the msdos days, an app was installed to a directory.
In the win 3.x days, an app was installed to a directory, created a program group OR shortcut on the desktop.
In the win95 days, an app was installed to a directory, created a program group AND shortcut on the desktop.
In the win98 days, an app was installed to a directory, created a program group, shortcut on the desktop and quicklaunch bar.
In the win98se days, an app was installed to a directory, created a program group, shortcut on the desktop, quicklaunch bar and systemtray when run.
In the winme days, an app was installed to a directory, created a program group, shortcut on the desktop, quicklaunch bar and systemtray when the system started.
In the winxp days, an app was installed to a directory, created a program group, shortcut on the desktop, quicklaunch bar, systemtray when the system started and changed your default homepage.
In the winvista days, an app was installed to a directory, created a program group, shortcut on the desktop, quicklaunch bar, systemtray when the system started, changed your default homepage and added toolbars on ie.
In the win7 days, an app was installed to a directory, created a program group, shortcut on the desktop, quicklaunch bar, systemtray when the system started, changed your default homepage, added toolbars on ie and showed ads when run.
In the win8 days, an app was installed to a directory, created a program group, shortcut on the desktop, quicklaunch bar, systemtray when the system started, changed your default homepage, added toolbars on ie and showed ads when the system starts.
In the win10 days, an app is installed to a directory, creates a program group, shortcut on the desktop, quicklaunch bar, systemtray when the system started, changes your default homepage, adds toolbars on ie/edge, shows ads when the system starts and constantly tries to convince you to use this program or install others.
I actually don't know if ie/edge still have default homepage or toolbars, but you get the idea.
I remember one machine, where I couldn't get sound blaster mouse, printer and modem to work at the same time.
I do agree that nowadays software companies expect to just own you if you use their products. The sad part is that what Microsoft is doing is "normal" or even minimal compared to what Apple or Google are doing. And it's getting worse all the time.
Fortunately Linux desktop is good enough this days for most tasks.