A developer Red Hat accuses Microsoft of using technology in Windows UEFI 8 to lock Linux, which belies the publisher.
Microsoft is used the technology start-Secure Windows 8 to block the use of Linux and other OS on some computers? If the publisher has denied any such intention, Matthew Garrett, a developer of Red Hat, maintained that it could still be the case.Windows 8, Microsoft is to require the use of technology UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) that secures the system boot so that "the end user is no longer able to control your PC" , accused the developer of Red Hat on a blog. But Microsoft says the accusation is based on a misunderstanding. "At the end of the day, customers can regain control of their PC," assures Tony Mangefeste response, program manager at Microsoft, in a blog from the firm of Redmont.
The controversy began Tuesday when Matthew Garrett noted in a blog that computers running Windows certified 8 would perhaps not be able to run other operating systems like Linux. According to the developer, users could not install Linux as second OS, Windows or replace with a copy of Linux. Matthew Garrett says that Windows 8 will require the host to use UEFI, low-level interface between the firmware of the computer and operating system. Presented as a replacement BIOS, UEFI provides a secure boot protocol, which requires the operating system to a digital key before it is loaded by the machine. Without this signature, the UEFI can block the operation of all programs or all drivers. This protocol should prevent malware from infecting machines at boot time and protects the boot process.
Numeric keys to install the OS
Windows 8, Microsoft will require equipment manufacturers (those who want to display the Windows logo on their machines) to deliver computers with secure boot process active. Each machine would then require a digital key provided by Microsoft, the manufacturer or, if it uses a different OS, a secure key for this OS. "Users who customize their own versions of Linux, or using an OS that does not require generic key will perhaps not be able to run the OS on the machine with the boot process secure," said Matthew Garrett. Moreover, there is no guarantee that the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) offer users the option to add their own keys, or let users start with other operating systems without a key.
An option to install the old OS
For enthusiasts who want to run older operating systems, an option will allow them to install the system you want," wrote the manager program. "However, disabling the secure boot will be at your own risk," he added. "The refutation of Microsoft is quite accurate in practice. But it is also misleading, "said the developer in another blog, posted Friday. According to the license agreement, the supplier has no obligation to provide users with the ability to disable the secure boot. However, it must temper the debate by pointing out that Windows 8 will ship with Hyper-V, the hypervisor from Microsoft that will install the OS in a virtual machine.
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