Basically, if you can launch an application and get your work done, any changes are perfectly fine. Windows 8? No problem at all. Business as usual (Oh no, to shutdown I move my mouse to the side!! PANIC). Okay, Windows 8 did annoy a little, but they fixed most of it with Windows 8.1.
I too often wonder what people do with their computers. I use WIN 10 on three machines, day in, day out, all day long. Issues? No. None. Even the updating thing doesn't annoy me. Pay attention, maybe learn.
P.s. Your memory might be high due to that thing called Superfetch. Ever heard of it? Have a read.