This Is the Time To Leave Windows For Good
Copilot Recall. Windows 11 won't support your older computer. Ads in the start menu. These are the signs telling you it is time to leave Microsoft's OS.
If you're not up on the news, Microsoft has announced Copilot+ Recall, a privacy disaster of an AI solution better categorized as spyware. It is unencrypted, it is a fairly basic database. It is a wiretap law nightmare. Kevin Beaumont has a fantastic write-up of key pitfalls of this tool that will be included as part of Windows 11 soon.
Couple that disaster of a "feature" with the fact that Windows 11 will not run on many computers that still run Windows 10 quite well, computers less than 4 years old. (OK, you CAN run Windows 11 on lots of computers that the Windows 11 compliance check says you can't, but that's the fine print that you have to know how to make work)
To compound matters, Windows has started showing ads in your start menu, in both Windows 10 and 11. They're sometimes called "suggestions," but make no mistake, these are paid advertisements. How much tracking is Microsoft sharing with advertisers? At this point it is difficult to tell.
All of this adds up to being the perfect time to leave Windows for good.
Windows Alternatives
There are, essentially, two options for leaving Microsoft Windows as your desktop/laptop operating system: Apple macOS, and Linux.
MacOS
Apple's macOS is the commercial alternative to Microsoft Windows. It is well known for ease of use, security, and appeal to creative folk who do their creating on computer. At the time of this writing Apple has not announced any intention of installing AI powered spyware by default. Unfortunately it only runs on Apple hardware, which means that it will not assist you in salvaging older Windows computers to extend their life, and Apple tends to sell only premium hardware solutions for desktop and laptop alike. There are no "two-in-one" or foldable laptops however, if those are of concern for you.
Linux
Oh boy, here he goes again with the Linux thing. Yes, Linux is your other realistic alternative. It is compatible with the older computer you still have. It has software to replace your favorite apps. If it can't run that app, it can probably run an emulation so the app thinks it's running on Windows. (or Android, for that matter) It has no ads. It works with your hardware like your mouse, printer, headset, and webcam. It comes in every flavor of desktop and console under the sun. And no spyware is installed by default, at least not by reputable vendors. You can find Linux preinstalled on computers from reputable manufacturers, or you can download and install it on your existing hardware, for the low, low price of a burnable CD or a 4GB thumb drive.
/soapbox
While I'd love for you to convert to Linux, I realize it is still a foreign concept to some. Why not hit me up on Mastodon with questions if you have them. I'd love to help you become more comfortable with Linux as a daily driver OS.
That said, if MacOS and Apple work for you, wonderful. But please, choose one of these two. I really believe you'll be happy you did.