Windows 10 UEFI Secure Boot requirement to make it harder to install Linux on same device

[DoMiN8ToR]

We've just posted the following news: Windows 10 UEFI Secure Boot requirement to make it harder to install Linux on same device[newsimage]http://static.myce.com//images_posts/2015/03/myce-windows-10-secure-boot-95x75.png[/newsimage]

Microsoft will allow companies that manufacturer Windows 10 devices to force UEFI Secure Boot. This can prevent users from easily installing other operating systems on the same device.

            Read the full article here: [http://www.myce.com/news/windows-10-uefi-secure-boot-requirement-to-make-it-harder-to-install-linux-on-same-device-75466/](http://www.myce.com/news/windows-10-uefi-secure-boot-requirement-to-make-it-harder-to-install-linux-on-same-device-75466/)

            Please note that the reactions from the complete site will be synched below.

[coolcolors]

It’s called market share and to kill off the other less known O/S. It’s called Capitalism remove any other O/S off the face of the earth. Linux works for Servers but as everyday usage it’s support is so lacking it has no way to beat M$ in the past or now to make it a worth while O/S to use.

[roho]

Although Microsoft has removed the requirement to allow Secure Boot to be turned off, it’s still the OEMs that will decide whether to include the option on their machines or not. If they leave the option there things will be like they are in Windows 8.

Leaving a Secure Boot off in the BIOS would be the most sensible all round but we know OEMs don’t always think like that. It’ll probably also be a bit of a nightmare trying to get information from a retailer as to whether a laptop/PC you are about to buy has a disable option or not.

[Sean]

Besides Linux, I’d imagine this is going to be a problem for bootable recovery and firmware update utilities.

For example, many data recovery products require the user to boot a CD or USB for it to retrieve data from the unbootable operating system, such as in the case where the hard disk has bad sectors.

Many disk cloning products also require the user to boot a disc to clone the OS partition, such as when migrating an existing OS from a hard disk to an SSD. Of course the main users affected will be those buy a laptop, which generally does not come with recovery media to reinstall the OS. Even if the user uses the Windows backup utility, the replacement SSD will need to be at least as large as the original hard disk for the restore process to work, which is a problem with most laptops coming fitted with a 1TB hard disk.

Although not as common now, some products still require firmware updates to be carried from a bootable disc.

[roho]

@Seán, that is possibly going to be as big or a bigger problem than not allowing users to boot Linux itself. So many repair/recovery/backup/restore disks are Linux based and won’t run if Secure Boot is on.

I’ve caught myself out a few times wondering why something won’t boot, and then remembering Secure Boot is probably on!

[TSJnachos117]

I’ll bet the moment someone releases a crack to install systems like GNU/Linux, Microsoft will ensure that person goes to jail for violating section 1201 of the DMCA. Those who simply want to boot from unofficial repair disks in hopes of getting their system working without having to reinstall everything will also go to jail.

Microsoft will call it piracy, while one half the users will call it repair, with the other half calling it choice. Sadly, as far as most governments are concerned, Microsoft’s voice will be the loudest.

PS: When I bought the same computer I used to type response, I specifically demanded a model that doesn’t force me to tolerate this useless “security feature”.

[MrScary]

Surely Microsoft will be breaking European Law on this. Is it not the consumers choice on which os they want.

[alan1476]

I am sure that Parted Magic will find away around this.