Any Linux distro that supports secure boot will get those updates and I already have on my machines.

"I use Linuxmint on a virtual machine and it is clear how fast it is compared to the rigid Windows." Yes, especially overall. I have been on Mint as my general use OS since Jan 2019 and I don't regret the change. Windows is just all around more sluggish as stuff like updates take noticeably longer etc. even strictly loading VM's through QEMU/KVM you can feel the difference there to.

Yeah, OpenSource is great, until you suddenly need support right now and well, there is no vendor to fix a game breaking bug for you I have seen a couple of those unravel really ugly and I remember a colleague being disappointed, because no one is replying to his GitHub bug report all day. OpenSource products still need paid vendor support and again not that cheap and well, it turns out it is not that easy to provide support on something you do not fully control or build.

These tests are ridiculous because they are not testing Windows 10 and 11 on the same PC. They are using several different models of PCs

It's not going to work. There is a learning curve that the authorities are not appreciating