In the latest Windows 11 preview build, Microsoft removed the “bypassnro” command, which let users skip signing into a Microsoft Account when installing Windows.
Yes, Mint uses Cinnamon desktop by default, which I believe was forked from Gnome. I like it, although I'm using Kubuntu at the moment. Cinnamon has that Windows-y look and feel to it, and retains some of the Gnome advantages.