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Some of the technical journalists have already manipulated the Windows 11 preview, so that it will install and work on older hardware, with non-working TPM, without Secure-Boot, and even work on Legacy boot mode (rather the UEFI). It appears that TPM and the other requirements are actually things that *Microsoft* wants to be activated, even if they aren't actually necessary for the operating system to work.
Microsoft usually does things like this, for the purpose of benefiting themselves. When Windows 10 came out, Microsoft were pushing for Secure-Boot on all new computer motherboards which was somewhat detrimental to Linux (at that time). The Linux community managed to turn it around though, and now many Linux distributions will happily install onto Secure-Boot hardware.
With TPM (Trusted Platform Module) acting as a microcontroller for performing cryptographic operations, I am wondering what implications there might be for Linux. Here's a few thoughts of my own:
- TPM can be used by the OS as an unique identifier for a computer, and so it can be used with the Windows' data telemetry to follow the hardware around (even if the OS gets wiped and reinstalled).
- Insistence on TPM, etc will stop older computers from installing or "upgrading" to Windows 11. This will force people to either seek an alternative OS (could be good for Linux) for that machine, or ditch that machine and buy a new one.
- TPM could be used for driver and software signing, and could potentially lock-down Windows more than it is now. By locking down, I mean that the current 'freedoms' that people enjoy today could be more limited with future Windows.
Does anyone have more thoughts on this? Will this be good or bad for Linux?
So, like @damarrin above, I don't think it will change anything. But I'd be glad to be wrong. :smile:
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I was more interested in potential upsides and downsides of the new requirements (TPM, etc) going forwards and how that is likely to affect Linux into the future. For instance would having TPM, Secure-Boot and UEFI forced onto every future motherboard (i.e. no Legacy Boot being available) cause issues for Linux distributions? Would it prevent individuals from being able to roll their own Linux?
I was a little surprised that Microsoft is already announcing end of life for Windows 10, sometime in October 2025. There isn't long for these changes to begin affecting us.
Last edited by g000h on 2 Jul 2021 at 1:07 pm UTC
I hope I'm not wrong, because the last thing I need right now is all these Windows users rushing out to buy new hardware to upgrade to the latest and greatest.
Whatever the truth may be, I don't think it will affect Linux in a big way. Those happy with Windows 10 will likely be happy with Windows 11 too, if not more so. Those stuck with Windows for some reason or other will continue to be stuck. And if I were to get new hardware now it will sport some extra tiny bits of silicon (though I think TPMs are pretty standard already) that may or may not have a useful application under Linux.
For Windows users, a lot will complain and stick to Windows 10. I don't believe it will actually do anything for Linux. You might see a few switch over but it will be in small numbers.
Switched over when i saw the telemetry driven abomination that was Win 10 :whistle:
It is so very merciful of Microsoft to let the cattle borrow Microsoft's computers. The masters have even gone out of their way to expose replaceable socketed CPUs with cores running as slaves under the true host. The cattle are allowed to install these CPUs but don't dare make any meaningful modifications. Within these walls, the good shepherd Microsoft allows their subjects such freedoms as an interactive GUI, the [illusion of exerting control over the system](https://gingercasa.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/IMG_4276-1024x768.jpg), but, most importantly, the illusion of choice.
At this point I honestly don't care what happens in the normiesphere. Just grab your popcorn and put your feet up and let's all laugh at the fools as they are once again taken advantage of. What's that? Your slick new OS demands biometrics to be allowed to use it? Yeah, sure why not? Make sure to give master all of your keystrokes while you're at it. It will surely be used to improve your situation.
Last edited by GustyGhost on 3 Jul 2021 at 4:01 pm UTC
They will even happily let people buy some (illegal, as per the license) OEM keys for a couple of euros, rather than having people using their old OS. I guess the data they gather through telemetry compensate for the "lost" euros on the license price...