MicrosoftDaniel Sidler , the very same page is not a good example, because this is the same team doing this. I can expand on inconsistency, if you'd like.
On the screenshot, there are six UI elements. Four of them look alike, but only three of those are action verbs ('Advanced Options' stands out). Why is that?
'Check for updates' is a button, although it's an action verb too. I can understand that they want it to stand out, fine. But why 'View optional updates' is a hyperlink? How is it different from 'View update history' or 'Pause updates'? FWIW, aligning 'View optional' updates with these elements would enable them to make it more informative, e.g. explain that this is about drivers, etc. The hyperlink? No chance.
Why do you use something that implies opening a web page for an action that opens just another subpage like all other elements? Oh, probably because opening web pages is a gray hyperlink w/o underline, same as opening legacy control panel items or anything else:)
As for 'tons', you're certainly exagerrating. But even if there's, it's just another proof that Settings UI is the most inconsistent across all apps. Each team invents their own UI language and sticks into Settings.
