Microsoft is pushing its OEM partners to install Windows 11 on SSDs such as boot unit on their new computers, according to a report by Trendfocus.

The goal would be permanently destroy hard drives in 2023. Something that is already happening in practice, because hard drives almost completely monopolize consumer client storage on new computers, but so far it is not mandatory, as it would be when Microsoft seems to change the minimum requirements for Windows 11.

Windows 11 on SSD

Anyone who installs or uses the latest Microsoft operating systems on an SSD will enjoy all the benefits of NAND flash-based solutions. Mainly in terms of performance when transferring data, starting the operating system or starting applications, transferring internal files or to external disks, or recovering systems from hibernation.

Its advantages in terms of consumption, heat radiation or emitted noise, which are zero due to the absence of moving parts of the mechanical units, are also relevant. Finally, in terms of robustness and fault tolerance, today’s SSDs equal or exceed hard drives, and most have a five-year warranty.

All are benefits … except the price per GBwhich is getting lower for hard drives. Trendfocus says some OEMs believe it would be a problem to replace high-capacity hard drives and would have no choice but to increase equipment prices or install lower-capacity SSDs to keep costs the same.

The key to the matter will be if Microsoft adjust the minimum hardware requirements so the OEM must install Windows 11 on the SSD. This is not currently the case, although the company states that some features, such as DirectStorage or Windows Subsystem for Android, use flash storage.

Microsoft would set the year 2023 to make the change, but OEMs would try to negotiate a longer term and some exceptions, such as mounting small SSDs for the system and hard drives with more capacity for mass storage. We will see what happens. Whether you are forced or not, always install Windows 11 on an SSD, because our beloved but obsolete hard drives just have no color.

And don’t throw them away … They can be used for NAS or as external storage units for multiple uses. For example, to increase the storage capacity of another device; save backup copies; use them as a bootable medium for installing operating systems or as an external drive for entertainment content that allows us to watch movies or series on a local network when connected to a router or smart TV.