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Linux live and secure boot

Tags:
  • Boot
  • Windows 8
  • Linux
Last response: in Linux/Free BSD
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November 11, 2013 8:27:31 AM

I'm not looking for help with a specific problem, just trying to understand secure boot a little better.

1) Will new machines with secure boot enabled and Windows 8 installed prevent you from running a Linux live from say a thumb drive? Or will it only try to prevent you from installing it? Or both?

2) In the event that I wanted to install a Linux distro on a new Windows 8 machine, will it be as easy as tinkering with the BIOS (disable secure boot and maybe switch from UEFI mode to legacy)? Or is there more to it than that? Or does it just depend on the hardware?

I've never really had any experience with it, so when people ask me around the office, I have no practical advice for them. I've only ever installed Linux on either older notebooks or my own desktops that I've built.

I've been half tempted to pick up a cheap Windows 8 notebook and answer these questions myself but I really don't have the need for the hardware. So the knowledge to dollar ratio would be pretty high!

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a b 5 Linux
November 11, 2013 10:11:54 AM

The point in theory, as I see it, of secure boot is to reduce the chance of someone coming along and booting via a disk or USB and seeing everything on your system, even changing passwords if they wish. But since you can disable it you've added maybe a minute to the time I need to start your system via USB or DVD. Sure, you could password your BIOS but then that was there before.

You don't want to switch to legacy if you want to dual boot. what happens then Is windows only boots under Uefi and linux under legacy and you have to switch in the BIOS each time you change. Pain in the ....

Ubuntu since 12.10 I think can do UEFI installs after windows is fully shut down, not quick start shut down and secure boot off. I haven't tried yet simply because everyone that brings an 8 to me wants Linux instead. Maybe that'll change with 8.1
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November 11, 2013 12:50:44 PM

Thanks gentlemen, that's helpful. The link breaks it down rather well. People have asked me about it and I have never found a clear description, just a lot of crap flinging at MS. I've always been skeptical of the MS domination conspiracy, I've just never had the facts to fully understand it.
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