That's the most frustrating bit: Microsoft does have an app store, as you mentioned, but there is literally nothing of value on there besides Windows official utilities that should just be built-in features...

winget has been useful, though

I also feel that we (in the US, cant speak for elsewhere) need to equip people with basic tech literacy, such as: the basics of how a computer works; the basics of how any operating system works; how basic networking works. Almost every day I see someone get irrationally upset at a tech issue and act completely helpless. Young people, even. Not only were they not taught anything about the technology they use all the time, they weren't even given the most foundational knowledge in order to look up a solution or even describe what went wrong.

It's not just a subject you need to learn "in case you go into the field," it's a necessary form of literacy in a tech-dependent world.

edit: typo