Thanks!
Web Browser:
I rolled back my PMS to https://downloads.plex.tv/plex-media-server-new/1.32.7.7621-871adbd44/windows/PlexMediaServer-1.32.7.7621-871adbd44-x86_64.exe as well. I no longer see the ugly green checkmark for watched items when using a browser. The orange triangle is back for unwatched items.
Desktop App:
I rolled back my Plex desktop app as well. https://downloads.plex.tv/plex-desktop/1.76.2.3951-15712eae/windows/Plex-1.76.2.3951-15712eae-x86_64.exe. I no longer see the ugly green checkmark for watched items. The orange triangle is back for unwatched items.
In order to avoid the desktop app from auto updating, I had to do the following:
as mentioned here https://forums.plex.tv/t/stop-windows-client-from-downloading-updates-automatically/781104/2
