You should go right ahead and upgrade
To Linux. After being a Windows user and supporter since the 80's, I did, and I'm very glad I did. Yes, there are things to learn, and there may be a few "windows only" apps one needs, but for those you can use Windows 7 in Virtualbox, WINE, or dual boot with Internet access disabled. One way or another, you can escape what is increasingly becoming the Dark Side.
As far as I can tell, Windows is trying to commit suicide. Are most people really lame enough to use an operating system that installs programs you don't want without even asking you? It seems to me that Satya clearly believes "All your PC are belong to us." I, for one, disagree.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
