Re: Blank box
"...where do you get the necessary drivers for any other operating system from?"
I can't speak about your first point regarding whether or not MS can guarantee its software, but you can get OSs with drivers built in. Linux for one. I can say that as I use it exclusively but AFAIK the BSDs also have drivers built-in.
So, with Linux and the BSDs you have pretty much covered all areas of computing from HPC right through to embedded systems, desktops, servers and stuff like the Raspberry Pi.
Having to scratch around for drivers for your OS can be avoided if you are open to alternatives to Windows..
Biting the hand that feeds IT
