Of course, Linux can handle properties. In fact you have it backwards.
Things work in Windows because Windows makes lighter use of them. Linux adds
a layer of permissions. This is for security which Windows does not take
seriously.

The problem that most Windows users have is two fold. Linux does not use
executables in the same way as Windows. It either has no executables or most
files are executable, depending on your perspective. By changing permissions
you can make many files executable. It does not depend on a suffix which are
largely meaningless in Linux (eg. no .exe or .com). The benefits are that
the OS needs to give permission to make it executable and that requires the
user's input (password). The second mistake is that things do not auto-run.
This is not a short sight. It is intentional. Again it has to do with
permissions. Files do not execute unless you let them. There is a reason
why Linux viruses do not propagate, the few that exist do not catch on so
few are written. Currently there are none in the wild.

If you are frustrated it is because you do not understand the Linux way and
make false assumptions. Just relax and try to discover and forget archaic
solutions that lead to lax security by dumbing the system down. :) Linux
could have gone the Windows route but did not. It is an alternative and not
made to be a Windows substitution. I have never had a problem in Linux using
or mounting a CD. I have used Linux for over ten years. I have had trouble
getting control back from Windows once I have given it access to the CD in a
VM. I have also had trouble inside Windows (no Linux) with getting it to
read the CD properly after switching a disk and it insists that the disk and
its contents have not changed. No OS is perfect, including Linux. That is
why we have forums. But, and it is a big one, we cannot help with
frustration. I suffer from it too at times. It took me most of the morning
to get Unity to work. I was frustrated not because KDE was better. It is. :)
I was frustrated because I could not find the problem. I knew that my
frustration would cause me to want to switch back to my beloved KDE, but I
stuck with it and am writing this in 11.10 with Unity. I am frustrated with
Unity but am determined to learn to use it to the best of my ability, so I
can make an informed opinion on it. (I have used it for nearly a year, so I
must be a slow learner.)

It is a sure fire way to lead to a flame war by making comparisons to
Windows. Do not make comparisons between OSes. They are different beasts
based on different assumptions and philosophies. Do not assume that the
Windows way is better just because it is more convenient. Otherwise we will
have to look at the big picture and take into account all of the time
Windows users spend adding extra protection and maintaining their computer.
Microsoft assumes the OS and the computer that contains it belongs to them.
Linux assumes that it belongs to you. Windows therefore will try to take
control over all drives and files systems. It will ignore any FS not their
own and want to format over them. It will assume the drive is empty or non
existent if you opt not to format them. Windows will even try to install
things without your permission and has been known to lock users out of using
their computer, without warning. Linux on the other hand will offer to mount
any file system. It makes no assumptions about the media and it gives
control to the user. This is, admittedly, more work and sometimes a
challenge until you get the hang of it. That goes for anything new.

You need to resist the Borg and learn the Linux way. Then you will be
happier and maybe learn something new rather than dwell in the past. Windows
is not better, just different. Linux is better, just unknown (except to the
enlightened).