SecureBoot on Windows 8

[Hidi]

Right, Windows 8...I don't really want to get started.

Anyways, I was browsing an old techy site, and the owner of this site put up his page on the Windows 8 preview. He is a little bias towards hating Windows, but he does seem to be within reason a good part of the page.

Anyways, I was going through the section, and on the last page, I saw this,

One of the worst parts about Windows 8 isn't even in the software! The "logo requirements" for Windows 8 require all new machines to ship with a mis-feature called "SecureBoot".

SecureBoot prevents any operating system that hasn't been graciously blessed by Microsoft from booting.

This means that by default no truly open Linux distributions or other third party operating systems may boot on any new PC.

It goes on to say

And there WILL eventually be desktop machines that do not permit disabling SecureBoot.

Does SecureBoot really make your computer more secure? No. It "secures" Microsoft's operating system marketshare, and "secures" Windows from methods used to use unlicensed copies.

In a sane world, something like SecureBoot would be illegal.

What do you think about this? I don't like the fact that already, Windows 8 wants you to pretty much assimilate your life with it. It even removes a lot of the good working features Windows had been known for and its free-form capabilities, and now we have an incredibly restrictive system.

Shall we all just switch to Linux now?

Source: http://toastytech.com/guis/win8.html

[manthony_Higgs]

I've never run linux, so I dunno. Kind of a dick move by MSOFT though

[sroberson]

I can't help but wonder how Microsoft plans to compete with the vast world of intelligent Linux OS programmers, let alone how they plan on implementing this SecureBoot feature. Unless the Windows 8 system intentionally scans the hard drive after booting for some other boot loader than and throws a fit, I don't see it happening. Otherwise they would need hardware/software at the BIOS level to detect other boot loaders and OSs...which I guess isn't impossible if they get to coordinating with the chip makers.

Though it is morning and my brain doesn't work too well in this state, ill go out on a limb and suggest that SecureBoot doesn't really have a point other than locking you to the Microsoft platform...but that's not really too far from what Apple has done if I'm not mistaken since their boot loader is a separate chip that intentionally looks for their OS...so I don't know why its a big deal now Microsoft is trying it.

By the way, just ran into this article that suggests just what I suspected...Linux developers don't play around if they want something: http://www.wired.com...08/secure-boot/ & http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2012/06/microsoft-windows8-secure-boot/?utm_source=Contextly&utm_medium=RelatedLinks&utm_campaign=Previous. It also answers a few questions I had about the purpose of SecureBoot...which it does look like it could increase the security of the system overall - just at a pretty annoying price. I have to admit, if Microsoft really finds a way to lock out Linux dual boots I might be one step closer to abandoning Windows.

[Hidi]

I think why people make it a big deal is Microsoft has essentially tacked on a ton of Mac OS traits to Windows, which people do not want. I'm fine with Windows, but I do think it rather funny they want to go towards a rigid system; what was so bad about XP? That system had a great run! I don't plan on buying Windows 8 when it comes out, but I guess I'll wait and see what they what they come out with after Windows 8.

[LoneWolf]

lawl

this is why 2012 is the end

microsoft why

[Fana McCloud]

If I wanted this kinda "you have to use our software with our hardware" BS I would've bought a Mac - it's got a better OS than Windows anyway. I look forward to the mass Linux migrations that will follow, as I have been patiently waiting for the Linux revolution for quite some time now. >:3 Only reason I have Windows 7 is for games, but with Steam going Linux... I see the future shifting in favor of my ditching that POS.

Also, fun info: this kinda crap has been in the back-burner for some time now, they were calling it Palladium back in the early 2000's http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Next-Generation_Secure_Computing_Base

[DZComposer]

The secureboot spec doesn't require it to be always on. While Windows 8 may need it, it should be able to be disabled in the BIOS.

Of course, OEMs will have discretion as to which models, if any, have this option and its default state, but I'm sure motherboard manufacturers will leave it available to be changed. Most people with Linux boxes build their own PCs anyway.

As far as ripping out MS keys and replacing them with your own, how does that take a jab a Microsoft? "OOOh, I made it so this machine can't run Windows, even though I wasn't going to put Windows on it anyway. Oooh!" ಠ_ಠ

That's just as dumb as boycotting Bayonetta 2 because it came out on WiiU when you weren't going to buy a WiiU in the first place.

[sroberson]

... but with Steam going Linux... I see the future shifting in favor of my ditching that POS.

Also, fun info: this kinda crap has been in the back-burner for some time now, they were calling it Palladium back in the early 2000's http://en.wikipedia...._Computing_Base

Wait...wait.....wa...wut? Really? FUCK DIS SHIT! *flips table*

In all reality the biggest thing holding me to Windows if Linux starts to pick up a bigger game market is simply the fact that I have to work as IT support for Windows OS. Also, the other big problem is that our domain architecture is based on Windows servers and I am unsure of a means to manage things likes DHCP, DNS, Active Directory, need VMWare Vsphere (though that should be available to Linux) and the works from Linux without simply logging into the domain controllers via RDP. I'm not too bad at Linux at the command line to get system stuff done but graphically end-user stuff I am rather lost.

[Wolf O'Donnell]

I forget...Doesn't SecureBoot prevent other Windows operating systems from running on the same machine as well?

[Hidi]

Yes! This is why this is a BAD thing! Also Sroberson, I am using Windows for the same reason.