Will Windows 8 PCs Lock Out Linux?

September 23, 2011 Jmtyra News, Software 51

There is a current Windows 8 story that is making its way around the web (ZDNet, TechPowerUp, and Extremetech), that claims that new Windows 8 PCs will be able to “lock out” any other OS, such as Linux. Obviously, this has many people up in arms about Microsoft’s new and upcoming OS, but is this information accurate?

Windows 8, from what we know so far, requires UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) on ARM processors and supports UEFI on x86 (either 32-bit or 64-bit) hardware. Part of the latest UEFI specification allows for something called ‘Secure Boot’, in which the firmware restricts drivers and executables from loading unless they are signed by one of the keys pre-installed in the firmware (source). The issue centers around OEM’s and their relationship with Microsoft; for a new pre-built Windows 8 PC to sport the “Designed for Windows 8” logo, it must have UEFI enabled with ‘Secure Boot’ and have Microsoft’s signed keys pre-loaded into the PC’s firmware.

So, why is this a problem? Well, an OEM computer with this configuration disallows any other OS from being loaded or booted, such as Linux. System builders and DIY folks need not worry, as this only pertains to the OEM machines. Even then, you may be able to call their tech support and obtain a work around, but we won’t know until the Windows 8 OEM PCs start shipping.

Let’s hear it! Post your feedback in the comments.
-John Tyra (Jmtyra)

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Avatar of turbohans
turbohans

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#1 Sep 23, 2011

I see them being able to prevent Linux from being installed on the same drive as something that could certainly happen. However that will not be possible in my opinion with separate drives.

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David

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#2 Sep 23, 2011

Isn't the UEFI done in firmware? So is it not a per-PC setting not a per-HDD setting?

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David

Forums Super Moderator

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#3 Sep 23, 2011

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/09/22/protecting-the-pre-os-environment-with-uefi.aspx

Microsoft have responded, which amounts pretty much to 'it's up to the OEM'.

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Ben333

Folding for Team 32!

2,962 messages 1 likes
#4 Sep 23, 2011

I think having the product key in firmware is going to make them less money... Now nobody will accidentally buy another copy of windows to clean up their machine when they lose / don't receive a recovery CD. Although... I admit to often using old XP COAs on new machines :D

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EarthDog

Gulper Nozzle Co-Owner

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#5 Sep 23, 2011

People do that? And you think this is a significant enough part of there revenue stream to mention it?

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arcanise

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#6 Sep 23, 2011

i do not see how its possible to prevent another OS being installed, if its on the HDD we already have tools to kill that. not to mention we can easily go to newegg and get a HDD that was never touched by windows. and good luck getting MOBO manufacturers to play this game.

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EarthDog

Gulper Nozzle Co-Owner

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#7 Sep 23, 2011

Why would mobo mfg care considering it has nothing to do with them?

EDIT: Forget it, because its loaded into the UEFI...:p

Still, they hardly have a choice to boycott the most widely used OS in the word on their boards.

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arcanise

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#8 Sep 23, 2011

i just dont see how this could be a secure way of preventing linux installations

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EarthDog

Gulper Nozzle Co-Owner

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#9 Sep 23, 2011

Me either considering the boot selection screen (which OS0 is not taken from the bios but created on a hard drive...unless that is where the bios looks? if thats true, would a rename help? I have no experience whatsoever with linux outside of some boot/utility disks if you dual boot linux and windows can it even show up on that screen?

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masterofnocrack

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#10 Sep 23, 2011

finally no linux.linux is a pest its got to be exterminated.hope this comes to some other non oem mobos too

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