Barefoot_Monkey: Windows 11 is odd-numbered, so it should be good like Windows 7 and Windows 9, right?
(Windows 9 was the best one ever) ;-)
Hahaha, I have to agree with you about Windows 9 for sure. :) Seriously though, while I resisted moving to Windows 7 for very good reasons for a long time, eventually the variables changed over time and when I built the new PC I am using today, after researching Windows 7 pros and cons versus what I was using at the time, giving Windows 7 a shot was the sensible choice for me to try, and I can say that it has turned out to be a reasonably good choice overall. At least compared to any other options available to me at the time for having my own computing needs met.
Unfortunately, I already know with 100% certainty that the newer versions of Windows are not capable of meeting my personal needs, including both Windows 8.x and Windows 10, and that both of these and most likely any future Microsoft operating systems will equally not meet my needs probably ever again. Without getting into minute details, on a high level it boils down to critical decisions Microsoft has made with their newer operating systems are at fundamental odds with my personal computing needs, my values and principles, my desire for privacy, and many other factors and Microsoft has clearly indicated this is the path they see for the future of their platform.
So I may end up being in a minority of the population in a few years perhaps of people who outright reject new versions of Windows both technologically and on principles, but I'm ok with that because I'm all about finding solutions that actually meet my needs and not one to care if my decisions are popular with the larger crowd or not.
As such, I don't forsee any new versions of Windows being the next "Windows 7" in my own eyes so to speak. I think it died after Windows 7 and is not coming back, at least not in a way that is relevant and works for me personally.
So I've already accepted the fact that some time in the next 4 years my computing path will have a shakedown of sorts and I'm going to have to find alternative solutions that solve as many problems for me as possible within the realm of what I consider to be acceptable for my own requirements. I'm a very long time Linux aficionado and advocate and use it extensively for many things for 22 years now, so for me Linux is a natural choice to switch as many computing tasks to as possible wherever it can be done in a smooth and acceptable way to meet my needs. That will no doubt have some growing pains and adjustments just due to major changes that will happen with various software etc. but a lot of it will end up being fine.
In the end though, I've also accepted the fact that some things I enjoy using the computer for now, I very well may have to give up in the future if there's no way to do them in a Microsoft-free world. That's a big pill most people would not likely want to swallow, but if it comes right down to it in the end, I'm prepared to give some things up on principles like a stubborn boar if need be, even if it seems insane to the popular crowd.
Microsoft will not force me to give up my principles. :)