There occasional hiccups with Linux that are sometimes by design, like Flatpaks not having access to /usr/bin or /usr/local/bin. This makes some things need minor workarounds where they wouldn't otherwise, because there aren't enough people on Linux to make these workarounds the norm. I don't really mind, but it is nice not having to do anything like that on macOS (although there are other issues there, like not having access to /usr/bin in the first place :P)
At the end of the day, though, the development workarounds necessary on Windows are absolutely insane. Even as well documented as they are, I am very glad I don't need to touch Windows ever again because they still suck.
VLC isn't a native Windows app, as it isn't a native Linux app. Celluloid uses native styling on GNOME systems & is super easy to install with any package manager GUI that supports Flatpak. Installing apps on Linux is always easier by a long shot compared to Windows, especially with Flatpak.
I don't know what is default on most distros, but it is so easy to change in this case that it is hard to even consider the default media player relevant compared to on Windows where there are fewer options for apps like VLC that actually give you a native experience
As far as video types are concerned, Linux's multimedia codec support is much wider & more flexible than Windows via Windows Media Player. The app Celluloid for Linux (based on MPV) supports everything under the sun
Sounds like you're entrenched. If that's the case, don't look at Linux until you've accepted that things aren't going to be identical to Windows & there will be drawbacks to your workflow as well as benefits
And you'll still hear "Well I know everything about Windows sucks and now I'm being charged out the ass, but I refuse to even consider switching because [one particular game doesn't work / I'm used to it]"
There should be an instance with an actual registered organization behind it - privacy policy & all to back up its legitimacy. Without this, Lemmy is a hard sell for a lot of people who don't want to just hand off their information to a person who may or may not be doing certain things with it.
Your two options are a repair ability nightmare with worrying privacy problems, and another repairability nightmare that may be slightly more repairable but is still a nightmare. Oh, and it is a privacy hellhole. The Fairphone is great, though, & seems to check all boxes
I think if Reddit was really good, 90% of the people here would not have a good reason to use Lemmy. I was on Lemmy before the blackout & it wasn't great; had I plugged it then, many would be reluctant to switch. Now, it is amazing, and Reddit ensured that Lemmy got a nice influx of users to make that happen :)
I don't know if Lemmy is the best place to ask, lol