Windows Home isn’t free (legally), you can’t just install it and have a valid license available without paying money. Most people think Windows is free because you’re paying for the license when you buy a prebuilt, you’re just not seeing the line item cost.
But either way, Home is a trash fire. At least Pro lets you control more of the annoying aspects of the OS. Home you’re just opening up for whatever MS wants to shove down your throat. And even then, just run linux. That’s actually free, and a better experience.
01189998819991197253@infosec.pub 3 days ago
Download the iso and install home. It won’t stop you, ask for a key, or attempt to activate later. It just installs, runs, and spies happily.
But, yes, I suppose that you’re supposed to pay for it, but they don’t seem to care that much, if at all.
I agree that Windows Pro is a slightly better experience than Windows Home, but the right Linux distro for you is where it’s at. I usually recommend Mint for newcomers, and not one has had issues (beyond the expected “this looks different” comments). I’ve installed Elementary for one person who came from a life of Mac, and she dove right in with almost no hiccups. Know your audience, I guess is the lesson here lol
Passerby6497@lemmy.world 3 days ago
Well sure, anything is free when you steal it. Whether or not they care enough to come after home users, doesn’t change the fact that it’s not free.
But yea, know your audience and give them something they can use. I made my mother learn mint after the 80th time I had to clean the windows box, and she did well enough with it.
01189998819991197253@infosec.pub 2 days ago
I meant to download from the official Microsoft site.
Kudos on getting your mum on Linux! I was unable to keep mine on it : /
Maybe I’m missing something, but this is from the “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices” section from the official Microsoft site, but I don’t see any option to buy or mention of it: