Glad you got there...

Every time there is a new Windows update, I end up having to re-do everything from scratch and it really bugs me.
- definitely not my experience..and not most people's I think. I would hate that.

As you can see, I have some GUI modifications in place- not an external theme, and no system file changes:
Updating Windows 10 to v. 2004 from USB. Will my config remain?-1.jpg

- and these survive updates and even upgrades.

As you say, Win 11 is essentially same, same architecture- a few slick features, and should be a bit friendlier after the 22H2 upgrade. However the rounded frames make applying some appearance changes harder.

Now if only they'd separate the O/S entirely from user space.....