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Upcoming Windows 11 builds cannot install without internet and Microsoft Account

(infosec.exchange)
268 points tech234a | 1 comments | 29 Mar 25 04:13 UTC | HN request time: 0.25s | source
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samiv ◴[29 Mar 25 07:00 UTC] No.43513408[source]▶
I'm also 100% convinced Microsoft will introduce mandatory code signing at some point and make it so that you can only ever install software from Windows Store.

They are envious of the Google and Apple walled gardens/cashcows and are now determined to turn Windows into one.

Windows is no longer a product for users, the users of Windows are the product for Microsoft to be shoved into the Azure sales funnel.

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grishka ◴[29 Mar 25 10:06 UTC] No.43514218[source]▶
Mandatory code signing is meaningless without secure boot though, which can't be made mandatory on x86 systems.
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bitwize ◴[29 Mar 25 15:38 UTC] No.43516349[source]▶
Who decided that secure boot can't be made mandatory on x86 systems?

Microsoft.

They can reverse their decision at any time. Inasmuch as you are able to boot Linux on your PC, it's only because Microsoft deigns to allow it.

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charcircuit ◴[29 Mar 25 18:23 UTC] No.43517449[source]▶
>only because Microsoft deigns to allow it

Other operating systems could still collaborate with manufacturers to have their key be trusted.

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1. bitwize ◴[29 Mar 25 22:36 UTC] No.43519341[source]▶
But manufacturers won't cooperate. One OEM (Asus?) once cited a price of like $16M to trust one key. The price for Microsoft is nothing because Microsoft can say "trust our keys or lose Windows certification".