I really dislike windows 10, I tried to get used to it but I can't stand it, it looks like the xbox one dashboard.

Is there a simple or classic mode I am unaware of?
Should I go back to windows 7?

Another issue that is really annoying me;
I have my settings set to "never require password on wakeup" yet every damn time it asks for my password.

Open Settings.
Click on Accounts.
Click on Sign-in options.
Under "Require sign-in," choose Never from the drop-down menu to complete the task.

I suggest you get used to 10 cause soon enough there will be no 7 support. (less then 1,5 years)

mate DE, KDE, or cinnamon

Have you tried using classic shell for windows 10? http://classicshell.net/

Between removing requirement for login on startup and wake, and removing the app store completely, it should be relatively similar to windows 7 in terms of layout tbh.

win7 will be good for another 5 years yet

Fact.
Mainstream support ended Jan 13, 2015, extended support ends Jan 14, 2020.

when was the last time you updated your w7 machine
been years for me, still runs fine. I'm sure if i run into any issues, somewhere among the 4+ years backlog of updates i didn't bother with i will find the specific KB i need to apply to resolve it at least in the early-mid 2020's.

I've done this and it says "never" but it still asks for the damn password.

If it's on startup, run the cmd "netplwiz" and de-select the require password option.