• I feel like it’s worth keeping in mind that you’ll likely be able to continue using some iteration of locally stored Windows for quite a while. The point at which Windows 10 becomes unusable is likely well past the point at which it makes sense for most people to use Windows 11 or whatever comes next.

    I’ve definitely straight up skipped Windows releases before and kept moving along just fine. Of course that depends on what you’re working on and how much control you have over your own PC in the context of whatever class or company you’re dealing with.

    But even then, there’s nothing to say you can’t dual-boot or run a second machine over a network and synergy the things together.

    Personally, I’ve been using Windows 10 exclusively on my own machine for quite a while now, but I don’t like much of anything that I’ve heard about 11 so far. If it came down to letting Microsoft control most of my usage of my PC or to using Linux as my primary OS, I feel like it would be worth the hassle.

    • Oh yeah, for sure. I’m definitely keeping that option in mind, if only because there’s inevitably going to be some software or games that just won’t work in Linux. Having Windows 10 available for when it’s needed just makes sense, and its ability to be annoying is reduced if it’s essentially quarantined on its own hard drive where I can ignore it except when I need it. I have also skipped Windows releases in the past, and I don’t think I’ve ever voluntarily gone to a new one rather than been pushed due to hardware or software requirements.

      Have to agree with you on Windows 11, too. My laptop has 11. I thought when I bought it that it was shipping with 10, but it came pre-installed with 11. It’s not completely horrible in terms of actual functionality, so it’s tolerable for a device I’m using solely for college work. But there’s no denying it also gives me creepy vibes that I mostly just try not to think about. I do feel like 11 is spying on me in a way that 10 doesn’t. It might be getting a reformat once the warranty has expired, though I also have to acknowledge how irrational it sounds to say “I’m reformatting you because you creep me out.” 😀