The Linux Lock-out Debate Returns: Will Some Windows 8 Devices Eschew Linux?

by Sam Dean - Jan. 16, 2012Comments (2)

Late last year, in response to the extended brouhaha over its reported effort to implement a specification called Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) that could make it impossible to run Linux on Windows 8 PCs, Microsoft officials responded with a long post that explains exactly what kinds of flexibility UEFI (Secure Boot) will offer. Many members of the Linux community remained skeptical that Windows 8 PCs will be able to run Linux. Now, the controversy is back with a new twist, as reports are emerging that Microsoft's UEFI scheme will block Linux on ARM-based devices.

Computerworld U.K.'s Glyn Moody reports:

"...it would appear that Microsoft is still locking out GNU/Linux from installation on ARM-based Windows 8 machines."

Moody cites a document that Microsoft published on Windows 8 hardware certification requirements, which contains the following text:

"MANDATORY: Enable/Disable Secure Boot. On non-ARM systems, it is required to implement the ability to disable Secure Boot via firmware setup. A physically present user must be allowed to disable Secure Boot via firmware setup without possession of Pkpriv. Programmatic disabling of Secure Boot either during Boot Services or after exiting EFI Boot Services MUST NOT be possible. Disabling Secure MUST NOT be possible on ARM systems."

Indeed, the language from Microsoft does seem to imply that ARM-based Windows 8 devices will lock Linux out. Ars Technica has picked up the debate, and Ed Bott, author of a number of books about the Windows operating system, is out with a post that includes a number of zingers aimed at the Linux community:

"A tiny but vocal minority of Linux fanatics are pounding the table today over a new security feature called Secure Boot that will be introduced in Windows 8, shrilly accusing Microsoft once again of a conspiracy to 'lock out' Linux...Windows 8 ARM systems do not yet exist. When they do ship, late this year or early next year, they will consist exclusively of tablets designed to run Metro-style apps. They will not run x86 software."

While his stance toward Linux users is questionable, Bott does have a point when he says that ARM-based Windows 8 devices don't exist yet. Still, Windows gets the stamp of approval from many IT departments when other operating systems don't, and when Windows 8 devices running ARM architecture do appear, it would be a shame for them to lock Linux out.

Thus far, there is no official response from Microsoft on the issue, but the Linux lock-out debate is back in new form.

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by Z0rbA64 on Jan. 16, 2012

Doesn't the penguin run on enough platforms?

Why worry about something that doesn't exist?

"Windows 8 ARM systems do not yet exist"

I'd prefer to support my nearest linux system builder and not have any MS stuff anywhere near my next rig.

I love the smell of vapourware in the morning...

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by Joseph on Jan. 18, 2012

>Doesn't the penguin run on enough platforms?

No, Linux must eventually run on everything.

>Why worry about something that doesn't exist?

>"Windows 8 ARM systems do not yet exist"

This is one of Ed's more ridiculous statements. Windows 8 ARM devices are already in development but won't be released naturally until Windows 8. Qualcomm has already announced Windows 8 ARM tablets and ultrabooks. If we worried about it AFTER they were released, it would be too late... the whole point is to get MS to change the certification requirements BEFORE devices ship with locked bootloaders. Maybe Ed should only worry about his heart health after he has a heart attack or his home's lack of smoke alarms when it catches on fire?

If all ARM laptops end up being shipped with Windows 8 ARM the way all x86 laptops are shipped with Windows, that would be an entire class of products which lock out Linux from running on them. That's anti-competitive and intolerable.

>I'd prefer to support my nearest linux system builder and not have any MS

>stuff anywhere near my next rig.

There's no such thing as a Linux system builders other than a few people who sell stuff out of their garages. We're also not talking about hardware MS is selling; we're talking about MS ordering OEMs to lock down any device that ships with Windows 8 ARM. High end ARM devices will be coming with Windows 8. That means if you're looking for a device with the best specs to run a full desktop ARM Linux, all of the options will be locked to run Windows only. That is a serious problem. Linux has gained dominance in every single area without a pre-existing monopoly, from routers and phones to supercomputers and embedded devices. If we let this stand, MS will leverage its existing monopoly to gain a monopoly in the new category of ARM laptops and keep Linux out. If these devices aren't locked it will be Win8's HTML5 & javascript gadgets vs. Linux's full desktop experience and bare metal feature-rich applications. Linux is the far better product and has a chance to be a major player in this new category so long as it's given a chance to fairly compete.

>I love the smell of vapourware in the morning...

Windows 8 ARM and Windows 8 ARM tablets and laptops are not vaporware. Linux on ARM will become vaporware though if MS has its way.

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