One of the lesser-known gems of Windows Phone was Contact-based reminders. You could tie reminders to people and be reminded whenever you interact with them. I used it regularly. Has this been copied anywhere else??
The specifics of their keyboard implementation were also really great. And that UI! The well-designed apps which followed their design language were so goddamn clean.
WP had many unique ideas but was always on the outside looking in.
There are some dark patterns in the setup experience that might cause that.
Turn off the "Show me the Windows welcome experience after updates..." and the "Suggest ways I can finish setting up..." options in settings.
I bet if you're having preferences change on you, it's because you're clicking ok or next without reading during these nag screens.