I think it's much simpler than that. Windows began with a huge installed base advantage, lock-in to a lot of proprietary "important" software like their own MS Office, Adobe shit, etc., and familiarity. They've just been riding that, and the perception of being SOOOOO much less expensive than Apple and SOOOOO much more convenient than Linux, for many years. Games are a deal-breaker for some, as you said, but not for many. Same for other particulars that alarm lusers. I think the one thing Gates & co. ever got right is the business of making their platform (seem) indispensable, mainly to technically illiterate decision-makers^B^B^B^B^B^B^B^B^B^B^B^B^B deciders.