More than half the population doesn't use ad block when they browse the internet.

The mind boggles.

There is, clearly, an enormous gap between the Hackernews perception of Windows, and actual non-ad block using end users.

Microsoft is intrinsically following a pathway I've seen before with Reddit,

Reddit has two completely different value propositions to power users and the great unwashed.

Reddit has two modes, "new" reddit which is available by default, and the "official" Reddit mobile app. And "old" Reddit, which is buried in the settings menu, powered by a third party browser extension on desktops, alongside third party paid for mobile apps that use a Reddit API.

Microsoft to me is following the exact same strategy. They are screwballing "the internet explorer users" with Windows, and meanwhile they are creating a parallel, WSL enabled value proposition for power users.