Why is Microsoft locking out all other OSes from Windows 8 ARM PCs & devices?
Summary: Several reasons spring to mind, both good and evil.
Microsoft has announced that all Windows 8 ARM PCs, tablets and other devices will be locked to the original operating system. This will be done by locking the 'secure boot' option in the system's UEFI. The question I'm wonder is why?
You might remember that we've talked about 'secure boot' and UEFI before, in relation to Windows 8 PCs. Microsoft is making UEFI mandatory on Windows 8 PCs (replacing the aged BIOS), and that 'secure boot' must be enabled. According to Microsoft this make PCs safer. As a side-effect is also means that users can't install another operating system onto their PC without first disabling the 'secure boot' option. Microsoft has said that OEMs are free to offer customers the ability to disable this feature on x86 and x64 PCs.
That was PCs, but Microsoft has now said that ARM devices will get a different treatment. Here the 'secure boot' switch will be locked and customers will be stuck with using Windows 8.
Why would Microsoft do such a thing? Well, several reasons spring to mind, both good and evil.
- Protecting users from themselves ARM devices might look like normal Windows devices but they're not. Locking the UEFI reduces the temptation for people to tinker with and mess with the system.
- Someone at Microsoft just decided it should be done Probably was a committee thing, but you get the point.
- Reducing the risk of malware Maybe ... wait ... what ARM malware?
- Apple does it Apple goes to great lengths to lock the OS on the iPhone and iPad, so why shouldn't Microsoft do the same? You really don't think Apple will revise its policies for the iPhone 5 and iPad 3 ...
- Securing revenue from the back end Some people like to take the hardware they've bought and paid for and get it to do things that it was never meant to do. These people don't do any harm, but as we've seen with the iOS platform, unlocking can become quite popular. While Microsoft still gets the money from a Windows 8 tablet being sold, it runs the risk of losing the chance of further revenue though app store sales and so on.
- Platform lock in The best way to get people to like Windows 8 is to force them to use it.
We won't know for sure why Microsoft has decided to do this, but it will be interesting to see what people make of the lock-in.
Related:
- Microsoft to lock out other operating systems from Windows 8 ARM PCs & devices
- Yes, UEFI 'secure boot' could lock out Linux from Windows 8 PCs
- Microsoft confirms that UEFI 'secure boot' might lock out Linux and older versions of Windows from new PCs
- Windows 8 certification will make it 'difficult or impossible' to install Linux on PCs
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Talkback
RE: Why is Microsoft locking out all other OSes from Windows 8 ARM PCs & devices?
Remember, tablets are a different class of device.
RE: Why is Microsoft locking out all other OSes from Windows 8 ARM PCs & devices?
There is saying "every family will have one", but in the case of ZDNET there are two due to its size.
RE: Why is Microsoft locking out all other OSes from Windows 8 ARM PCs & devices?
RE: Why is Microsoft locking out all other OSes from Windows 8 ARM PCs & devices?
"various other Android devices have a locked bootloader as well" - The difference: Google is not dictating to the OEMs that they must lock the bootloader; that has been an OEM decision.
This will be an oem decision too. They can enable as many secure os's as
Why would Apple lock iOS to the iPad?
RE: Why is Microsoft locking out all other OSes from Windows 8 ARM PCs & devices?
And if people don't like iOS, then they don't buy again. No conspiracy, no evil corporate intent to lock a consumer into an ecosystem. They just don't buy again. It really is that simple. And, if large quantities of consumers refuse to buy iOS devices, Apple simply redesigns a product which will sell. Business 101.
Apple locks because they're a hardware supplier
MS has always looked to protect their position, paid out billions becuase of it. Today the market is different, largely due to their own failures.
It'll be interesting to see how, if at all competitors respond. Of course MS still needs to develop an OS;-) welcome to the EFI family (ha ha)
RE: Why is Microsoft locking out all other OSes from Windows 8 ARM PCs & devices?
RE: Why is Microsoft locking out all other OSes from Windows 8 ARM PCs & devices?
Very good it was done a average joe consumer who doesn't know anything about technology. /sarcasm
RE: Why is Microsoft locking out all other OSes from Windows 8 ARM PCs & devices?
RE: Why is Microsoft locking out all other OSes from Windows 8 ARM PCs & devices?
So I guess Boot Camp doesn't allow more than one OS, does it? And the TouchPad? CM7 works just fine on it but I'm waiting for CM9. Jeez, if you going to spread such........ never mind.
RE: Why is Microsoft locking out all other OSes from Windows 8 ARM PCs & devices?
RE: Why is Microsoft locking out all other OSes from Windows 8 ARM PCs & devices?
Folks will support there pet OS/Company to the end.
They can do no wrong, even with the facts currently shown.
RE: Why is Microsoft locking out all other OSes from Windows 8 ARM PCs & devices?
Boot Camp? Since when is boot camp on iOS? This is talking about ARM devices, NOT PCs!
RE: Why is Microsoft locking out all other OSes from Windows 8 ARM PCs & devices?
"It's not fair to criticize one guy when the rest of them do it too."
When one guy's dictating to a whole of other guys, that's a different story.
But that said, instead of %&** that Apple does it do, will you stand up and announce that you oppose all vendor OS lock-ins, including Microsoft's?
RE: Why is Microsoft locking out all other OSes from Windows 8 ARM PCs & devices?
Akh and Jgm sitting in a tree k.i.s.s. i.ng.
RE: Why is Microsoft locking out all other OSes from Windows 8 ARM PCs & devices?
Your point?
RE: Why is Microsoft locking out all other OSes from Windows 8 ARM PCs & devices?
It always amazes me how a company like microsoft with its long track record of anticompetitive behavior always seems to get so many people trying to defend their actions.
I remember when this secure boot thing first came to light, the microsoft fanboys defended their beloved microsoft saying microsoft isn't being anticompetitive... its up to the OEM's to leave an option to disable secure boot, now we have microsoft (a software company) telling OEM's they can't disable secure boot on ARM devices and still the mirosoft fanboys try and defend their beloved microsoft.
What will it take for them to see the light? what's in it for them trying to defend an anticompetitive company like microsoft? microsoft doesn't care about them so why do they care about microsoft?
It baffles me.
@Cylon Centurion .. Obviously