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How Microsoft Can Lock Linux Off Windows 8 PCs

Posted by Soulskill on from the if-only-penguins-were-secure-enough dept.

Julie188 writes "Windows 8 PCs will use the next-generation booting specification known as Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI). In fact, Windows 8 logo devices will be required to use the secure boot portion of the new spec. Secure UEFI is intended to thwart rootkit infections by using PKI authentication before allowing executables or drivers to be loaded onto the device. Problem is, unless the device manufacturer gives a key to the device owner, it can also be used to keep the PC's owner from wiping out the current OS and installing another option, such as Linux."

2 of 899 comments (clear)

  1. Re:The key comes from the MANUFACTURER, not MS by NJRoadfan · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The real fun will begin when Microsoft decides to EOL your hardware by not releasing keys for newer versions of Windows, even if the machine has the specs to run it.

  2. market penetration by wfstanle · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Stopping dual boot or changing the OS by users would stop the market penetration by Linux. Maybe the knowledgeable Linux crowd might build their own computers but this is beyond the capacity of probably 99% of computer users. Market penetration by a competing OS would be stopped cold which is what MS wants. They want to stop the downward slide of Windows. Yes, Linux has a very small share of the OS market, but what about some new and different OS that is developed in the future. This would stop them from even starting. It's not just about Linux.