There is Windows 10, with the right approach (grey market keys) you continue to get security updates and Win10 will IMO be supported for a very long time (because so many people are going to keep using it). MS will be forced to provide out of band security updates.
I currently have a dual boot with Win10 as I just moved to Mint this month. The MS store keeps trying to update or install apps with copilot even though I don’t have it installed. Like, I uninstalled the notepad app just to prevent this crap and they keep adding it to other apps. The latest one is the GD photo viewer so I had to uninstall that and find an OS one to replace it with.
Win10 is NOT a safe haven and I am so glad I’ve switched to Linux and recommend it to everyone who’ll listen. The only reason I keep Win10 on is in case I forgot an important file or something (I always do), or absolutely need it for some software (no idea if any exist for me) I use that only works with MS.
You are assuming that Windows has not already upgraded silently (or through anti-patterns in the UI) to 11, and what you are proposing is yet another hoop users have to jump through just to keep a “decent” experience.
I believe now is the perfect time to evangelize for Linux: “Are you tired of Windows’s enshitification? Do you own computers that Microsoft deemed to be obsolete just for the sake of selling new licenses? Give Linux a try.”
I agree that now is the perfect time get users to switch.
Justing saying, if you do have critical Windows only software (e.g. work), there is always the option to use Win10 (enterprise installs just get security updates, I didn’t even get a request to upgrade to Win11).
There is Windows 10, with the right approach (grey market keys) you continue to get security updates and Win10 will IMO be supported for a very long time (because so many people are going to keep using it). MS will be forced to provide out of band security updates.
I currently have a dual boot with Win10 as I just moved to Mint this month. The MS store keeps trying to update or install apps with copilot even though I don’t have it installed. Like, I uninstalled the notepad app just to prevent this crap and they keep adding it to other apps. The latest one is the GD photo viewer so I had to uninstall that and find an OS one to replace it with.
Win10 is NOT a safe haven and I am so glad I’ve switched to Linux and recommend it to everyone who’ll listen. The only reason I keep Win10 on is in case I forgot an important file or something (I always do), or absolutely need it for some software (no idea if any exist for me) I use that only works with MS.
You are assuming that Windows has not already upgraded silently (or through anti-patterns in the UI) to 11, and what you are proposing is yet another hoop users have to jump through just to keep a “decent” experience.
I believe now is the perfect time to evangelize for Linux: “Are you tired of Windows’s enshitification? Do you own computers that Microsoft deemed to be obsolete just for the sake of selling new licenses? Give Linux a try.”
I agree that now is the perfect time get users to switch.
Justing saying, if you do have critical Windows only software (e.g. work), there is always the option to use Win10 (enterprise installs just get security updates, I didn’t even get a request to upgrade to Win11).