I wish Linux was an option for me. I use some high end CAD, CAM, FEA and CFD software that are only available on windows. It is starting already but eventually it will be all online in the cloud, and I could potentially use linux, but that adds the expense of endless subscriptions to the cloud.
Are you able to run those programs without an active internet connection? If so, consider the option of sticking with your current version of Windows (or an older one if the program requires it), and drop the internet connection. I have a VM of Windows 7 I keep around for that purpose. Being a VM, it's easy to isolate it, even while the host computer (Linux, MacOS, etc.) is active on the internet.