Planning ahead …
Will the next version of Rhino (9) only run on Win 11?
Best regards,
Bruce
For what it is worth: Windows 10 and earlier are out of support by Microsoft.
Rhino 9 WIP runs on Windows 10, so there is no reason to limit it to support only Windows 11. M$ just ended the security updates for Windows 10, though users are still able to buy extended support for several extra years. The Enterprise version of Rhino 10 also receives the extended support. Windows 10 is superior to Windows 11, with far less bugs and better compatibility with programs and devices.
The lack of free updates for Windows 10 is a great news, because it will no longer disrupt the working in Rhino or any other program with forced automatic updates. Users of Windows 11 suffer a lot from that behavior, which is multiple times worse than the updates of Windows 10. I’m perfectly fine with my Windows 10 and no further security updates is a huge advantage. 
Oh yes, I just see all these bugs and compatibility problems every day, for the last 4 years, entirely different from my previous 5 years using Windows 10, I will tell my grandchildren about it it’s so memorable…. how do you insert a rolling-eyes emoji…?
My worst experience with Win 11 is that it is either not saving, corrupting or rolling back the changes made to the files on the external disc.
So today I work from my main (external) SSD disc, make a copy to another disc and then copy the files from disc 2 to disc 1. Sounds like joke, but it is the only way to ensure I have the latest version of my files.
No such problems in Win10.
I have been unhappy with Microsoft for a good while. Requiring me to replace a perfectly operating engineering workstation for Win11 is a kick in the teeth with no opportunity for me to provide feedback in vivo.
The idea of co-pilot becoming my ‘Every Click AI partner’ screen scraping me every 2sec and whatever else … is a full non-starter. I don’t think I ever had a Windows problem where their “HELP” button ever accomplished a single thing in 30 years. Bloated too. 5-6 apps for me with 160 background and Windows processes. I need simple, reliable and stable. The trust in MS is completely gone.
I’m just done.
Rhino needs an operating system that doesn’t compromise its business customers.
RhinoOS FTW! 
RhinoOS … Bobi, I really like the way you think!
Hey McNeel … this sounds like a great skunk works spin off project … imagine an OS using your same MO for marketing/upgrade policy. I would pay $300 to be rid of Windows.
Just think how many CAD seats would buy that and an air gap network switchbox.
Rhino is the only reason for me to not switch to Linux years ago…
CAD, FEA and a few occasional use tools are my only reasons for putting up w MS. I am a devout McNeel fan because they got so much right for so long, but trading 3dms for running a SkiDoo rental beach biz would be an early retirement option if some innovation fails to stop the devolution. Nothing is forever and the view is better..
MS Windows and the Titanic were both huge and built by ‘professionals’. 
What about the upcoming Microsoft Xbox console/PC hybrid that will supposedly come in later 2026 or early 2027 and run Windows 11? Do the “McNeel” team has any information first hand about the ability to install typical PC programs on the upcoming console/PC hybrid? M$'s statement is that it will support Windown 11 apps and Android apps on the Windows 11 app store (no clarification whether stand-alone *.exe programs like Rhino will be supported).
I don’t think we have info on that. I am going to guess that it’ll be up to users to experiment and report.
I guess that remains to be seen, but the question remains … “How does MS monetize us … beyond the appearance of an OS supplier?”
Seems to me there would be a significant market space for a company that charged a reasonable price for ‘only’ an OS that was focused on sensibly operating customers’ programs and not violating their privacy/value construct. Combining and OS and AI partner is like Whole Life insurance. Putting investment & insurance into one glob makes it difficult if not impossible for the customer to determine performance or value. 98% of ‘finance only’ guys give the other 2% a bad name.