You think the average Windows user cares about security or updates? I've worked in IT for over a decade and I can tell you that the average person doesn't give a damn.
Doing nothing is a very real probability. PCs have very real competition as well. Buying a cheap Apple air is now a great alternative to Microsoft Windows for people scared of linux. M3 processor is great and the devices cheap.
It's good except for the fact that Windows 11 is tied to a piece of hardware level security of supposedly nebulous benefit to your average home user. So tons of computers that would otherwise be fine are going to end up being entirely replaced and turned into e-waste instead because their motherboard doesn't have a TMP chip on it.
But that's an issue with Microsoft requiring TMP for Windows 11, not them telling people that they're gonna stop getting stuff like security updates.
I wonder if there's a debloated version of Windows 11 that removes the TPM requirement...
Regardless, I'm this | | close to switching to Linux; I just need to make sure I can get OneDrive and full MS Office running in Linux reliably, since I need both for work. The Steam Deck has convinced me that I don't need Windows anymore for gaming, so it's only work holding me back. (Work pays me a stipend to maintain my own work computer hardware, so I do work on "my" machine.)
If you are fine with the older office suite (2019 I believe), there is a codeweaver program called crossover. They are the teams that make WINE a reality and they have a one version license so you can own it forever. Or yeah, you can also use VM.
Yeah, that is if I remember it correctly. But I do remember installing a modern office suite back then using crossover. They also have trials so you can test your target program is indeed running as it should before buying.
I ownder if its a tactic to get people, or mainly businesses to upgrade no so they are still in the windows ecosystem. They won't want to pay for windows, so making it seem like their computer is outdated and should be upgraded is not a bad strategy. If a movement of converting to Linux starts, many users might leave. For good.