Consumers who purchase an ARM device running Windows 8 will not be able to load any other operating system, XDA-Developers reported on Thursday. Microsoft’s Windows 8 Hardware Certification Requirements state that “on an ARM system, it is forbidden to enable Custom Mode. Only Standard Mode may be enable. Disabling Secure [Boot] MUST NOT be possible on ARM systems.” The statement means that, unless a security exploit is found, no ARM device with Windows 8 will ever run anything other than Windows 8. The Hardware Certification Requirement contradicts what Microsoft’s Tony Mangefeste previously said, claiming the company’s philosophy is to “provide customers with the best experience first, and allow them to make decisions themselves.”
ARM devices running Windows 8 will have locked bootloaders
Updated Dec 19th, 2018 7:50PM EST
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Dan joins the BGR team as the Android Editor, covering all things relating to Google’s premiere operating system. His work has appeared on Fox News, Fox Business and Yahoo News, among other publications. When he isn’t testing the latest devices or apps, he can be found enjoying the sights and sounds of New York City.
