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MS denies secure boot will exclude Linux

Posted by Scott_Ruecker on · 13 comments
The Register; By John Leyden 		Mail this story
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Microsoft has hit back at concerns that secure boot technology in UEFI firmware could lock out Linux from Windows 8 PCs, saying that consumers will be free to run whatever they want on their PCs. Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) specifications, designed to reduce start-up times and improve security, allow computers to verify digitally signed OS loaders before booting. The feature in UEFI, the successor to BIOS ROM, is designed as a countermeasure against rootkits and other bootloader nasties.

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Comments (13)

caitlyn ·
I mean, like, they say it won't impact Linux, so why am I still worried about this?
gus3 ·
They have to say it, to mollify the government. It doesn't matter if it's true or false.
skelband ·
One of the comments on El Reg probably says it best:

"No, no, we're not saying that at all. But we're certainly thinking it loudly."
tracyanne ·
This is one of the benefits, to Microsoft, of not actually owning the hardware that Windows is installed on to. If Linux is Blocked it's not their fault.
jdixon ·
> Why don't I trust or believe Microsoft?

Perhaps because they have a history of lying, even under oath?
gus3 ·
An interesting take from Thom at OS News:

http://mobile.osnews.com/story.php/25185/Microsoft_Responds_...

(Apologies for the "mobile..." link.)
BernardSwiss ·
Why don't I trust or believe Microsoft?

Ummm... Is that a trick question?

tjhanson9 ·
I wonder if EFF is on this. I don't think the EU will put up with this kind of cr@p.
tjhanson9 ·
Malarky. I'm sure there's plenty of arm twisting behind the scenes to limit Linux as much as possible, and no one can twist the arms of OEMs like Microsoft.
tmx ·
@ tjhanson9 "I don't think the EU will put up with this kind of cr@p."

Lol, speak for yourself: Samsung Galaxy Tab banned, songs copyright extended to 70 years.
helios ·
Lol, speak for yourself: Samsung Galaxy Tab banned, songs copyright extended to 70 years.

And Britain gave us Herman's Hermits. Some things just cannot be forgiven...

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