I am a faithful Zorin user as well as experimenter with other distros. I was running Zorin on ASUS vivobook with no issues. At some point, I loaded Windows 11 to see if it would work and to see differences between 10 and 11. Upon loading 11, Intel RST driver, etc. was loaded apparently. This change has prevented Zorin and other distros from booting. I have followed various instructions posted on web re: turning off RST and setting to ACHI, etc. Zorin will load in the "test" mode but upon install and reboot after removing media, the computer goes straight to bios and no boot option is shown. Again, i have tried many options to remove Win 11 and reload Zorin. I feel (and this opinion is shared by many) that Intel and Windows are colluding to prevent folks from switching their computer from Win to Linux. Up until recently, I had never encountered this and had converted many computers from Windows to Zorin. I am a member of a local computer club that helps retirees with their PC issues and the computers vary from ancient to new. Is there a simple fix to resolve this issue. I think that if I remove CMOS battery and let things refresh from their, it may be resolved however this requires disassembling computer, removing battery, reassembling, etc. This should not be that hard! Thanks for any thoughts. Oh, yeah, the good news is my primary desktop (PC w Tomahawk MB, 64G of RAM, and multiple drives works perfectly as well as and older Dell Laptop and a 2010 Apple MacBook Pro. Could it be that Windows fears that folks will decide to switch to linux when they cease to support Windows 10?
Yes, I remember reading an article where the Intel management instructed that no-one should use the term Wintel! (But they practice it!)
Brave A.I. search brings this up:
" To allow Linux to install on a Windows 11 machine, you need to disable Intel Rapid Storage Technology (RST) by changing the SATA operation mode in the BIOS/UEFI settings from RST/RAID to AHCI. This change is necessary because RST can conflict with Linux installers, which often require AHCI mode for proper drive access. If Windows is already installed, changing the SATA mode directly from RST to AHCI will prevent Windows from booting, as it relies on the RST drivers. To avoid this, the recommended method is to first set Windows to boot in Safe Mode using the command bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal in an elevated Command Prompt, then change the SATA mode to AHCI in the BIOS, reboot to allow Windows to load in Safe Mode with AHCI drivers, and finally remove the safe boot setting with bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot . This process enables AHCI mode while preserving Windows functionality. For some systems, particularly those with Intel Optane memory, disabling the Optane feature in Windows or the BIOS may be required to access the SATA mode setting, as the RST option might be hidden or unavailable otherwise. AI-generated answer. Please verify critical facts."
I would ask first the basic Questions:
- Are Secure Boot and Fast Boot in BIOS disabled?
- Is Fast Start-Up in both Windows Installations disabled?
- Is TPM in BIOS disabled?
Just a follow up, I noticed a mention of bcdedit in the last post I made. You could take a look at EasyBCD from NeoSmart Technologies as they now support even Windows 11.
Thanks for your suggestions. I have performed all those along with other videos that claim to address this issue. I think my next move is to remove CMOS battery, let things reset and then try to go from there. Honestly, since I have 3 other computers (all running Zorin), I may just leave this laptop with Win 11 just to have a functional Windows computer. It just bugs me that they are making it so difficult to select an alternative operating system. By the way, I don't want to dual boot. I want to wipe disk and put Zorin 18 on as only operating system.
I know, it was just to show Easy BCD. 
Looks like a pretty handy program for a lot of issues! it is interesting that I had previously run Zorin, Pop OS, etc. etc. on this computer and no issues. At some point, Intel's RST in conjunction w Windows 11 has stopped this (or at least made it very difficult). Sad...i really enjoy playing with different distros and seeing how they worked on a real laptop vs just virtuals. That said, I think when in the mood to tinker, removing the cmos battery and letting the computer sit for a bit will resolve it. Just have to be in the mood to waste time for a pointless exercise!
Enjoy your input on these various issues!
Just FYI, was able to finally load Zorin 18 onto subject ASUS laptop. Had to remove battery, drain power (power switch held for 60 seconds), re-assemble computer, reset bios settings (ACHI, secure boot off, etc.) and then reload Zorin 18. Sad that Intel and Windows have thrown up this road block to the Linux world. I will never believe that this is not intentional...Linux is a threat to their market and they know it!