The reason OS makers concern themselves with not having 'skinnability' is simply they do not want to add to their support desk issues.
So what you're saying is that Stardock customers ring MS support when things eff up with WB and/or IP? Okay, so that's why MS is hard coding more and more of Win 10 as time passes?
Now that is bullshit!
As for a load of crap, well we will see just how much crap it is when MS puts its full agenda into full swing. As for paranoia, well the only time I feel that is when I go to the doctor... just in case I'm told I have to have something cut off... or out. No, it's not paranoia! A progression of changes commenced with Win 10 that will see the end of system 32 programs, with 'apps' replacing them. As it is several Control Panel utilities have been replaced by apps under the new 'Settings' heading, and there will be more like-minded changes to come. Plain and simple, MS is building its own version of the walled garden... where users will have to conform to MS' wishes, rules and regulations. If you happen to see it another way, well that's not my problem.
Oh, and as far as the enforced updates go, MS has wiped out my bluetooth keyboard several times now with an update my system simply does not need. I uninstall it every time, but within a few days it is downloaded and installed yet again. My most recent update issue is one that cripples my wi-fi adapter. Despite having the latest Intel drivers, Windows Update sees fit to download and install its 'own' version, thus significantly effing up my internet speed. Last night it went down to a little better than diail-up [I have ADSL 2+], and at first I thought it was a repeat of the cabling issues outside, but no, when I checked everything before calling my ISP, luckily, I found that it was the installation of wi-fi drivers I didn't need. Thanks a lot, MS, you lovely bunch of thick b******s
I never had these issues with XP, Vista, Win 7 or Win 8, so yeah, I hate Win 10 with good reason... without mentioning the programs it uninstalled without notice or consent. Previous Windows editions never did this... not that MS wants us running any of those anymore...eg: the forced 'downgrades' on my HP 2-in-1 and other peoples machines.
Anyway, I have much to do in the real world and bitching about Win 10 ain't getting it done.