Yeah, I think 7 was the last good version. 8.1 was "sorry for 8.0" but the damage was done and the path forward (wonkily sideways and backwards) was set.
What's this end your are taking about? People day that about every new version of Windows at least since the 95 release and it doesn't seem to be happening.
> I'm not saying the old style is better for everyone, just me
I'm on the same page. But also, I wouldn't necessarily have a problem with getting used to the new interface, except it doesn't show all the things the old interface had, some of which I use(d) frequently enough to be annoyed about their absence, meaning that I'd have to go back to the old interface, in turn meaning that I can't yet forget the old to make brain-space for the new. I find this infuriating, possibly because it highlights my brain's personal tech-debt; some kind of "curse of knowing".