Windows does bitlocker and works pretty well. Depending on what you’re trying to do this may be a good solution.

Windows will use more resources idling than anything Linux, or purpose built will. You can do anything with windows as it turns out. After reading in r/homelab you might think, wow, no one runs a server on windows, which couldn’t be farther from the truth. TONS of enterprise runs on windows, and almost ALL small businesses runs on windows. It’s easy, simple, and there’s a cost for that. Windows Server is a purpose built windows version for being a server, there’s some more management built in, but really, at it’s core, windows 10/11 pro will do just fine for home use.

Utilizing it properly

It may be worth getting a dedicated NAS and also getting a mini pc.

It may also be worth going the 12th gen route. Amazon has great deal used if you look. Sometimes a z690 board has enough features to get a used one over a new low end board. Like pcie bifurcation, more PCIE lanes, maybe more sata ports, 2.5G etc…

Go simple, low power and scale up if needed (it won’t be needed) I started with a 12400, and I barely touch more than a single core