It's not your computer, i highly recommend you ask for permission.
Especially, I miss the virtual desktop feature,
SysInternals has that feature (Desktops specifically) you can use for Windows 10 (and i think it's native on 11). This is a common feature in most Linux distros...
What i do is work mostly on VirtualBox VMs, but had to have clearance from IT for that (and for USB) 'cos i do all kinds off stuff that triggers their normie warnings.
Even ones that were supposed to just be customer service usually had something they were supposed to push.
True, which i failed to push when i was doing it 'cos the last thing a bitching customer wants is Hey, what about buying a new product? Then i got a real job.
VPN: Headscaleis an open source, self-hosted implementation of the Tailscale control server, which itself uses WireGuard under the hood.
For the file share, i'd say separate into two groups/VMs probably.Whatever you might want to self-host publicly (are you sure?) keep it isolated. Its own VLAN, IP/host/subnet, container, VM heck its own hardware if possible. Or use a VPS and only self-host your private stuff in your LAN.
For what you should host: that's up to you. I've heard jellyfin's used a lot for media stuff.
GitHub is a company owned by Microsoft (in the USA). They allow you to host git repositories there (a git forge) and they use your code to train their AI.
GitLab is another git forge, you can also host your code there. I think it was also bought off.
Forgejo is git forge software. If you want to use a git forge that relies on Forgejo, checkout CodeBerg (based in Germany). Forgejo is a fork of Gitea, which is a fork of Gogs.
<rant> All of these tend to offer not only a git forge but also other crap like tickets and CI/CD in what i personally see as feature creep. </rant>
At this rate I might as well just retire from White collar work and go and learn a trade as a tradesman, completely redo my entire life goals
You wouldn't be the first, i've seen it happen. And you'd most likely be happier.
My layoffs have been interesting.
1st was after working my 1st year a as a junior dev. The tech lead thought i didn't have what it takes.2nd was 'cos a higher up didn't like my sarcastic remarks.3rd was 'cos my boss got offended i refused to work on weekends.
Esperanto ftw.