Windows 8's Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) boot protocol could lead to eight-second boot times, but it could also be used to keep users from loading Linux on a Windows 8 PC.
Microsoft cheered Windows users earlier this month when it demonstrated the upcoming Windows 8 operating system booting in eight seconds. Part of the technology behind the fast boots, however, could enable Microsoft and its PC vendor partners to block users from loading Linux on a Windows 8 PC.
Microsoft recommends using the latest Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) boot protocol to achieve the best boot results. Released in April, the new UEFI includes a secure boot protocol intended to block rootkit infections by requiring the entry of secure keys before allowing executables or drivers to be loaded onto the device. The protocol is required for PCs running Windows 8 clients in order to conform to the Windows 8 logo program.
Microsoft has changed the standard boot programming language from UNIX to UEFI. UEFI may allow the PC to boot faster but if someone wants to run Linux will have a harder time running it. Linux creators wanted to released signed version of the Linux OS but due to the Grub licensing issues, this would require a non-GPL boot loader.
Will Windows 8 block Linux installs?
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