I bought Windows 11 Pro for my Framework 16 notebook computer. I find myself using this new PC that has more RAM, and more storage than my other desktop and notebook combined so much less than either of my other machines. This would imply that there is something wrong with this picture. Why would I not use this what I would consider as a higher end machine more often? This notebook has 64GB of memory, and 2 NVMME drives with a total of 6GB, another 1TB module, and an SD card reader along with 4 USB-C ports. This sounds like a machine that most people will want to use?
The reason for this lack of use is Windows 11 Pro. First, I had to sync my Windows account with a Microsoft account. This is a very intrusive means of collecting data off of me from an OS I purchased legally! I then tried to move my personal folders to the second NVME drive to protect my personal files in the event that an update bricks my system, I can wipe the Windows install completely while keeping my data safe on the second drive. Well, I couldn’t do that. This will be all because of One Drive which integrates into the OS, and decides that it isn’t in your best interest to move your documents to the second drive.
So what do I find myself doing with this system? Well, nothing much really. I don’t want to create documents because I can only save them to the OS drive. I don’t want to log into websites, because I don’t want Microsoft to know everything about me. I don’t have my personal email address in Microsoft Mail – again because I don’t feel Microsoft has a right to know my personal dealings. The only option I can see I can do will be to wipe Windows off of my system, and hope the research I done in saving my personal files to the second drive is accurate with using Zorin OS.
Zorin OS is a Linux distribution, and even if I fail at this moving my personal files, it won’t cost me any more money. However, if I do that, I would have to admit that my purchase of Windows 11 Pro is a complete waste. And since my activation key with Windows 11 Pro is tied to my Microsoft Account, I am not likely going to be able to sell the operating system that I purchased.
So what would I recommend? Well, I will try to move to Linux if you have Windows 10, and considering upgrading. Windows 11 in my opinion isn’t worth free which there is no free version. When you buy a computer with Windows 11 built in, you still paid for the OS since you didn’t get the computer for free. If I am able to do what I want to do with Zorin OS, I will provide that information in another blog post.