The last version of windows I could tolerate was Win 7. I could find a webpage something like "how to unbloat Win 7" after a fresh install and happily use it.
Linux was a hobby I learned slowly but gaming hold me back and best I could do was dual boot.
I hated everything about Win 8. Win 10 was too demanding hardware-wise. So when Steam bridged the gaming gap, Linux as the only OS was a no-brainer.
I'm interested in the philosophy of open source and I use open source when there is a viable option. But at the end of the day, I prioritize convenience and practicality and Steam is convenient.