I'm in a rare bizarre situation and this is a desperate attempt to not buy any new hardware.
Basically, I need a minimalist, no BS, no autoupdate, no auto-turn-back-bad-settings-weekly version of windows specifically for the purpose of running windows occasionally and only connecting my phone to it to run this one specific application https://www.samsung.com/uk/apps/samsung-dex/
Scrcpy does not trigger Samsung Dex (or Android Desktop for non-Samsung devices), otherwise I'd just use that on my Garuda MATE Linux installation. I will be tinking with wine later but I doubt it will work.
Any option that involves spending money will probably not be worth it because if I am spending money on this, I'd rather get a portable monitor (they're not that expensive).
Know of any specifically good windows ISO or what the gold standard of keeping a rogue OS like windows in check?
Windows X-lite is amazing, they have 10 and 11. All telemetry disabled, can install w/o defender, Cortana, and edge. Windows updates disabled, they provide update files to install themselves on their website. No ads in the start menu or anywhere. No bloat like Xbox or Store. Programs to help customize the UI a bit more.
It feels like a time machine back to XP, fresh install with nothing but bare bones Windows. You even have to install .net runtimes and c++ redists yourself.
It's the only reason I haven't rage quit Windows yet.
X Lite is basically just a crappy bootleg. If you want something lightweight, use LTSC with MAS (you can't activate IoT anymore, sadly)