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To be clear, I still use Windows. It's what I'm using right now to type this, on a beefy gaming desktop I assembled myself, with triple monitors and all sorts of googaws attached. But I don't need all that anymore, and for the first time in my adult life, I can see myself transitioning to an entirely different operating system.
That's a big deal for me, and I suspect I'm far from alone. Microsoft might want to make a note of it.
Why I don't need Windows
So here's what I mean when I say that I don't need Windows anymore: Every tool, program, and piece of information I rely upon is now essentially separate from whatever machine I'm using at the moment.
I'm writing the words you're reading right now in Google Docs. When I'm done, I'll edit them in WordPress. Throughout my work day I'm talking with my coworkers and bosses on Slack, I'm chatting with my friends via text, WhatsApp, and some other platforms. I'm managing my own to-do list in Google Keep, updating my work tasks in a tool called Monday, and checking personal and professional email in Gmail and Outlook, respectively. I'm keeping an eye on news and social trends in BlueSky and The Old Reader for RSS.
I still use local files, of course. But they're all
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Important and confidential documents, such as tax documents, are often stored on laptops. In some cases, even sensitive company papers may even be stored there. And a smartphone stores doesn't just hold emails, but also contact lists and WhatsApp chats.
Although access to a laptop is password-protected, the files are freely accessible. If the device is booted via a live system, they can be easily read and copied.
USB drives usually only need to be connected to a computer to reveal their contents. With smartphones, on the other hand, the file system is always securely encrypted.
However, if the device has just been used, the screen lock may not yet be reactivated and the finder can read the stored data and send it by email or chat program.
The loss of a device gets especially tricky when the device is deliberately stolen. This usually happens because the thief is after confidential company documents or credit card data. This is why important documents should always be encrypted.
Encryption options
When encrypting the SSD of a laptop or an external hard drive, you have the choice between two methods:
Full Disk Encryption (FDE)
File Level Encryption (FLE)
With Full Disk Encryption, the software encrypts the entire data carrier, including the operating system. The scope of delivery of Windows Pro and Education also includes FDE encryption
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