Jump the line and get Windows 10 right now

[deleted]

No, you can't get it for free. You can get it pre-loaded onto a system. It's also not easy to get a laptop without getting Windows pre-loaded (and you'd be very hard pressed to get that cost back in the UK if you don't wish to run Windows).
However, none of that is the issue. I'm just commenting on the fact that they are removing the ability for their users to improve their visual experience (and some of what they are removing is a legal/health&safety(?) requirement for VDUs in the workplace). The underlying ability is still all there in the OS - just no way to utilize it at the user level.

You can upgrade for free from Win7 and Win 8.1, but it seems you missed the point or at the very least forgot to read the part about Linux. Health/Safety?? Really? Yes upgrading to Win10 can make you blind or cause hairloss, it says so on the box.

[twol]

When it comes down to it Windows or Linux derivatives, if you really want you can tinker with all of them to change their appearance - it depend on how far you want to go.
In terms of reliability and user friendly, I would hate to recommend either to a complete newbee (if that's possible even today) as Ocram says you need a sense of humour with both systems!...... now Ipad, that's user friendly!!