Still on win 7 here, some newer stuff but most older and working fine.."If it ain't broke don't fix it."

Updates every week. Major software such as browsers update every week, sometimes twice a week - Firefox, Chrome, Vivaldi (which really is the cats meow).

Other software such as word processors or spreadsheet might update once a year.

I should get back to Windows, but would involvee a new pc. I have an XP system but it's obsolete - modern VLC doesn't run on it.

I usually wait until a year after the latest LTS version is release before upgrading. Will probably upgrade to Ubuntu 22 in the fall.

Some do add security upgrades and the occasional decent feature

But try to figure out which is which.

the "new" 'puter came pre-loaded with newer operating systems; have relied on HP CPU desktops and usually have been able to upgrade new major Microsoft softwares for free or at least free trials.

Some accessory drivers, printers, audio/visual, software have compatibility issues with Windows 11. Some maintenance processes under newer software also have become automated.

Older software on some electronics also became unsupported for security and privacy issues.

I'll tell you one thing - I learned more about the software/hardware guts of computers under older operating systems. I hate icons; prefer word menus. I've tried to learn more than basic HTML - but
"sad face."

on a state-of-the-art Ryzen gaming rig used solely as a workstation. No games. Lots of DU.

My sound card is a first-generation Asus Xonar. Also an-oldie-but-goodie, it's the best I've ever heard. The high-end reproduction is amazingly crisp and noise-free.

old software = cheap licenses, ownership without subscriptions

old printers = cheap ink and toner

old sound card = still expensive on eBay

the products of which can get copied back and forth to a connected Win 7 laptop.

Sometimes files need workarounds because of version compatibility issues but that old XP and LandDesktop work especially well together — smooth and fast.

I just try to be cautious using that W7 laptop on the internet. So far so good but one day I'll probably get bitten.

There is apparently no such thing as "software" anymore.

There are operating systems, which are proprietary and the property of the corporation (Microsoft, Apple, etc.) which will take responsibility for keeping them updated on the condition that you allow them unrestricted access to anything connected to that operating system, ain't that nice of them?

And then, there are "apps".

Not "software" which used to be an intellectual property that you could purchase or lease, and thus own, and update at your will, even if you sometimes had to pay for it.

Now you have "apps". Which are either "free" because they're mining your data, or they are available to you by subscription, which means they are owned by the supplier, who will update them at THEIR will.

And you pay for them over and over again, monthly or yearly.

This is the era of the "leech model" of productivity tools.

"Software" is so early-aughts, yanno.

disgustedly,
Bright

Although I did use XP for years past it's use by date (hated Win 7 - no UP arrow in file explorer).

MS Office 2003. Adobe CS3, Filemaker Pro 11. All still do what I require.

Along with that, some ancient, small utility programs that go back to Win 98 or earlier and only do one thing.

They stopped making the product. I paid $25. Still available for the same price. Desktop publishing.