That is intentional with this layout because it replicates how GNOME does it.
I'll probably stay with v16 till 2025. All of my machines are 7 or more yrs old. I don't like the way newer versions of Gnome handle workspaces and Chrome does not maximize smoothly.
Thanks for the information, Gnome screws up the DE even further!
That is amazing TabNumlock! You have got a Time Machine and not shared it with us! Oh to be back in 2005!
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There was someone complaining the other day about clicking an unfocused window would result in no action. I think this is because Wayland is enabled by default. I encountered the same issue, but logged out and back in through Xorg and it works fine. So at least we now have some evidence that this is due to Wayland, not Z17 itself.
Why does it screw up the DE? The Zorins just want to offer a layout for those who want to experience a vanilla Gnome experience. Like me for example. It is my favorite layout. I don't need any of those things you mentioned. Minimise and maximise buttons are the least used buttons ever, absolutely useless. Just as the menus you are looking for. Have never used this in older versions of Gnome.
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This is your personal preference. Based on your workflow and habits. Your points are 100% valid for you. But not for others.
I do use those buttons, all the time. I prefer toolbars where my tools are in easy reach, not hidden behind hamburgers. I have a different workflow and different habits.
This is why desktops need to be dynamic and User-Aware instead of forcing all users to conform.
EDIT:
I will add to this (A bit late) that this is part of why I defend when users call Cinnamon, XFCE, Mate, LXDE or others ugly or contorted or outdated (They are not outdated when they are the current version in active maintenance).
It's just telling developers that all those options should be pushed out and done away with.
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Always been Zorin desktop for me, never had it boot into Wayland desktop. (Sent from my Dentist's waiting room!)
Yes, it was an interesting surprise for me as well as usually new installs on Z16 use X11.... another point of controversy maybe? 
When you want to move things out of the way for something else then minimise makes sense. What Gnome Devs have done is follow Microsoft's agenda of do it our way or not at all, e.g., when I started on the Microsoft Professional course I discovered you had to do a process that took 3 steps when on a daily basis it only needed two steps. Gnome is not giving you a choice. It seems kak-handed to me, specially when migrators expect any menu button on the left. I think Gnome is doing a brilliant job of pushing users towards Plasma.
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I guess it's just a different workflow. I don't see a need to minimize, when you can just open the new window on top of the existing one. It doesn't have to be out of the way when it can just be beneath the active one. That is how I see it. I get that other people prefer it a different way. But for me, I would even go as far and say they should remove the "close window" button, too. Just as in a tiling window manager.
Well I've always wanted to learn about tiling windows but haven't seen anything (or rather I haven't looked) for guides on how good tiling works. I also wonder if tiling is a Tablet/smartphone crossover!
Tiling windows are not for everybody, I've tried them for a while but never really got used to it. It just seems that having more than 2 windows at the same time everything starts to get crowded, everything is too small... It's specially annoying when you need to open a new window while still having another one side by side as reference. If you already have multiple windows open it all falls apart.
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I only like the gnome desktop with all the extensions and additions that the ZorinGroup add to it to make it more like what I'm used to. On a tablet, it would make sense the approach gnome is taking; on a laptop, it's alright when adding some extensions to bring back some removed features; on desktops... no.
I can understand that different people may have preferences, so I'm not gonna judge you if your favorite desktop is an extension-less gnome, but, for a default experience or desktop usage, I prefer others like xfce, cinnamon and kde plasma
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That is why I like Gnome's approach where I seemlessly switch between windows and workspaces without having to close or minimize them. 
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I like it for the desktop as well. I like a keyboard focussed workflow with minimal use of the mouse. And for that the default Gnome experience seems perfect, at least for me.
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I don't think those features are exclusive to Gnome however, at least with XFCE you can also use workspaces and switch between windows. But I don't know if the trackpad support for gestures is the same.
Of course it's not exclusive to Gnome, I've used XFCE for quite awhile. But the implementation feels so seemless in Gnome. I have an app starter, a window switcher, a workspace switcher, and an overview on one button. To set that up in XFCE is quite the challenge. I was able to get close with Rofi installed, with some sacrifices. In XFCE you cannot use a key for a function when pressed alone, when that key is a modifier key already. And that is implemented in Gnome out of the box with the super key. Not a super big deal, but it is a deal. And you lose the overview completely. There are packages that give you the overview function, but they make it worse, not better. Again, not a super big deal, but it is a deal.
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I have found that for me the most efficient way to work is to have my most commonly used programs pinned to the dock/panel or whatever you want to call it. I can quickly click on the icon on the dock and open my program. If I have a couple or several of them already open I just click on the icon for the one I wan to focus on and that brings it to the front.
I have found the resize button to be very necessary if I want to move or copy a file from one folder to another. With both folders open I can just drag my file to the new folder. I like the option of being able to do things in different ways. If I don't want to use a certain way I can just ignore that option but it is there if I want or need it.
I have also just discovered what appears to be a glitch. I normally as I said have my most often used programs pinned to the dock/panel. I like a couple of games and normally have them pinned also. I have tried both yesterday and today to pin the game called Shisen-Sho. When I right click on it I don't get the option to pin it. However other games do give me that option. I did download that game through the software store just like I did the others. Very strange. I have not reported that yet as a bug. I thought I would see if anyone else has had that problem.
You can find a lot of vids on youtube on that. Basically any Linux features. Now it may differ from depending on the DE. I edit shortcuts to make it similar.
That is one thing I find lacks when getting people to convert to Linux, or Zorin even. New features like on 17 Beta with advanced tiling, spatial desktop. One would think there would be a link to a vid, 'how to'. While some know how, many don't. The other thing to point out, is many also want things shown & answered easy. Not everyone is going to do a browser search to find an answer, or do a little work to figure it out. Things just seem to be geared to instant gratification, instant results. I can't tell you how many searches I've done, vids I've watched to learn the little I do know. If I had more time I'd know even more. But at the age where I start forgetting so it evens out...lol That's where Bookmarks and proper labeling comes into play.
AND... The use of this forum with so many great people!!