1a. Linux can access NTFS and exFAT without issue so can read and write your disks. 1b. Usually the software you want already exists on Linux or has an equivalent. Wine can run most things fine but I’d suggest just convert your Windows install into a Virtual Machine image and use that instead for any complex proprietary software which chances are you don’t have. 1c. Firefox and it’s forks have portable profiles. You can literally just export your passwords and bookmarks anyway. 1d. Nope. 1e. Just run it from a virtual machine if you are paranoid. Normally you just boot up, try it out and if you feel like it install. 1f. Everything can get viruses, it’s just that most that tend to be aimed at Linux are more after servers than home users currently. 1g. Chances are everything will work out of the box, but things like unusual peripherals like a capture card etc may need software installed.

Linux Mint has good driver support and a tool to install drivers for more obscure hardware in most cases.