I have switched over 20 of my own and other people’s machines to Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC while preserving all of my already installed programs and apps. This will provide security updates for another 7 years. It cost me about $20 a machine, and they actually run better than the versions of Windows 10 Pro that they replaced which were based on version 22H2 which is actually inferior to version 21H2 in almost every way.
Of course, I use various versions of Linux dual booting in many of these computers which is another solution but less desirable to many people who are used to Windows 10 or 11. By the time we get to 2032 I expect that most of my Windows machine will be so much less capable than even the cheapest computers, tablets, or phones that stubbornness and nostalgia will be the primary reasons to not replace them with newer hardware.
As an example, I have several mini-PCs that I use for various tasks in my home lab that were extremely inexpensive yet they are much more powerful than some of the dinosaurs that I still have around.
I found IoT licenses for $9.99 at https://flixeasy.com/product/microsoft-windows-10-iot-enterprise-ltsc-2021-lifetime-license-for-1-pc/
Waiting for a helpful thread on mini PCs. I've noticed they are beefier than some of my older machines which still work just fine (but you never know when they'll keel over).
My geek comrades tell me minis are swell, even cheap ones $300 or less.
They're all made in China, or by Chinese, or funded by Chinese. Like our medications and vitamins. :(
But I'm really tempted. Win 11 is unforgivable.
Can you upgrade Windows 10 Pro to Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC? Or does it require a new install?