Windows Kernel Lockdown: A Win for Linux Gamers?

Summary

The video discusses Microsoft's potential move to restrict third-party software vendors' access to the Windows kernel, following the CrowdStrike incident. It explores the implications for Linux gaming, suggesting that while it might seem beneficial, there are many nuances and unresolved issues. The video argues that the real problem is game developers' lack of support for Linux, not anti-cheat software compatibility. It also raises concerns about Microsoft's monopolistic tendencies and the negative impact on competition and product quality.

Takeaways

• 🔒 Microsoft is considering locking down the Windows kernel, which could potentially impact software vendors.
• 🎮 The author suggests that this move might have a silver lining for Linux gaming enthusiasts, but also warns of potential complications.
• 🤔 The script raises questions about how security software will operate without kernel-level access and the potential need for new APIs.
• 🚫 The 'crowd strike incident' is mentioned as a catalyst for Microsoft's desire to secure their kernel, highlighting the vulnerability of current systems.
• 🛡️ The script discusses the history of Microsoft's attempts to close the kernel since the Vista era and the pushback they received from security software vendors and regulators.
• 🔄 The author speculates that if an API were created, it could eventually be replicated by Wine and Proton, possibly improving Linux compatibility with Windows software.
• 🚫 The script points out the risk of using Proton for anti-cheat software, as it could lead to false positives and game bans.
• 💻 The author criticizes game developers for not supporting Linux, despite its growing market share and technological advantages.
• 📉 The script argues that Microsoft's kernel lockdown could do more harm than good, citing monopolistic tendencies and poor security track records.
• 📈 It is suggested that the closure of the Windows kernel could actually hasten the demise of Windows, as Linux continues to gain market share and improve in usability.
• 🌐 The author predicts the inevitability of Linux dominance, considering its current growth and the support from major players in the tech industry.

Q & A

What is Microsoft's recent stance on software vendors and the Windows kernel?

Microsoft is keen on locking out software vendors from the Windows kernel, a move that is seen by some as potentially beneficial for Linux gaming enthusiasts.

What incident prompted Microsoft's consideration of locking down the Windows kernel?

The CrowdStrike incident, where a single vendor's software caused widespread disruption across multiple industries, prompted Microsoft to consider locking down the kernel.

Why has Microsoft wanted to close the kernel since the Vista era?

Microsoft has wanted to close the kernel since the Vista era to solidify its position as the only valid PC operating system, but objections from security software vendors and EU regulators prevented this.

What does the speaker believe would be the outcome if security software loses privileged access in Windows?

The speaker believes that Microsoft would have to create an API for these security solutions to continue operating, which could eventually be replicated by Wine and Proton for Linux.

How does the speaker view the potential impact of Microsoft's kernel lockdown on Linux gaming?

The speaker does not believe that Microsoft's kernel lockdown will necessarily help Linux gaming, as it could lead to more control by Microsoft over its competition and potentially worsen the Windows product.

What is the speaker's opinion on the compatibility of anti-cheat software with Proton on Linux?

The speaker suggests that the problem is not the incompatibility of anti-cheat software with Proton, but rather the lack of support for Linux by live service game developers.

What examples does the speaker provide of anti-cheat solutions available for Linux?

The speaker mentions Easy Anti-Cheat and BattleEye as examples of major anti-cheat solutions that are already available for Linux.

Why does the speaker argue that Microsoft's track record with security is poor?

The speaker cites a recent revelation of a severe, unpatched vulnerability in Windows Update that has existed for over six months as evidence of Microsoft's poor security track record.

What is the speaker's view on the current state of Windows as a product?

The speaker believes that Windows is already a terrible product and that closing off the kernel space would exacerbate this by reducing competition and increasing Microsoft's complacency.

What evidence does the speaker provide for the growing popularity of Linux?

The speaker points to the rise in Linux desktop usership according to the Steam Hardware Survey and the increasing number of pre-built computers shipping with Linux pre-installed as evidence of its growing popularity.

What does the speaker predict for the future of Windows if the kernel is closed off?

The speaker predicts that a closed kernel could hasten the demise of Windows, as it would further limit competition and potentially push more users towards Linux.

Outlines

00:00

🕹️ Microsoft's Kernel Lockdown and Its Impact on Linux Gaming

The script discusses Microsoft's potential move to restrict third-party software vendors' access to the Windows kernel, following the CrowdStrike incident. It explores the implications for Linux gamers, suggesting that while it might seem beneficial, there are many complexities involved. The author argues that Microsoft's history with kernel access and security concerns, as well as the potential creation of APIs for security software, could affect how anti-cheat solutions operate on Windows and, by extension, Linux. The summary also touches on the risk of using Proton to run Windows anti-cheat software due to potential compatibility issues and the broader issue of live service game developers not supporting Linux.

05:02

🚫 The Risks of a Closed Windows Kernel for the Future of Computing

This paragraph delves into the potential negative consequences of Microsoft closing off its kernel space. It outlines three main reasons for concern: the monopolistic move that could give Microsoft more control over competitors, the poor track record of Microsoft in terms of security as evidenced by an unpatched vulnerability in Windows Update, and the overall decline in Windows product quality due to a lack of competition. The author also refutes the idea that a closed kernel would automatically improve Linux gaming, pointing out that Linux already has mature anti-cheat solutions and that the real issue is the lack of support from game developers. The paragraph concludes with a positive outlook on Linux's potential for dominance in the market, suggesting that a Microsoft lockdown could hasten the end of Windows' dominance.

Keywords

💡Windows kernel

The Windows kernel is the core of the Microsoft Windows operating system, responsible for managing system resources and providing services for the running of applications. In the video, the discussion revolves around Microsoft's potential move to restrict third-party software vendors' access to the kernel, which could impact Linux gaming enthusiasts and security software vendors.

💡Linux gaming

Linux gaming refers to the practice of playing video games on the Linux operating system. The video script explores the implications of changes in Windows kernel access on Linux gamers, suggesting that while some might see it as a positive development, there are many nuances and unresolved issues that could affect this community.

💡CrowdStrike incident

The CrowdStrike incident mentioned in the script refers to a major security event that affected multiple industries, leading to discussions about the need for tighter control over software running in the Windows kernel. This incident is used as a backdrop to explain Microsoft's motivation for potentially restricting kernel access.

💡API

API stands for Application Programming Interface, which is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. The script suggests that if Microsoft limits kernel access, it may need to create APIs for security software vendors to continue their operations, which could indirectly benefit Linux gaming through compatibility layers like Wine and Proton.

💡Wine and Proton

Wine and Proton are compatibility layers that allow Windows applications to run on Linux systems. The video discusses the possibility that if Microsoft creates new APIs for security software, these could be replicated by Wine and Proton, potentially improving Linux gaming by allowing Windows anti-cheat software to run on Linux.

💡Anti-cheat

Anti-cheat refers to software designed to prevent cheating in video games. The script discusses the potential impact of Windows kernel changes on anti-cheat software, noting that if such software cannot run at the kernel level, it could lead to issues with false positives and player bans, especially in the context of Linux gaming.

💡Live service games

Live service games are games that are continually updated and maintained over time, often with online components. The video points out that the lack of Linux support for some live service games, like Fortnite, is not due to technical limitations but rather a lack of commitment from game developers to the Linux platform.

💡Market share

Market share refers to the percentage of the market a particular product or service holds. The script mentions the decline in Windows 11's market share and the rise of Linux on the Steam Hardware survey, indicating a potential shift in the operating system landscape that could be influenced by Microsoft's kernel policies.

💡Monopolistic move

A monopolistic move is an action taken by a company to dominate a market or industry, often to the detriment of competition. The video suggests that Microsoft closing off the Windows kernel could be seen as a monopolistic move, giving them more control over their competition and potentially harming the overall ecosystem.

💡Security vulnerabilities

Security vulnerabilities are weaknesses in software or systems that can be exploited by attackers. The script highlights a recent revelation of an unpatched vulnerability in Windows Update, illustrating the ongoing security challenges faced by Microsoft and questioning the company's commitment to security in the context of their kernel policies.

💡Dictatorships and instability

The term 'dictatorships' is used metaphorically in the script to describe the potential consequences of Microsoft's control over the Windows kernel, suggesting that such a closed and controlled environment could be unstable and ultimately lead to the demise of Windows as Linux continues to rise.

Highlights

Microsoft is considering locking software vendors out of the Windows kernel, which may have implications for Linux gaming enthusiasts.

The CrowdStrike incident, which caused significant disruption, has prompted Microsoft to consider kernel lockdown.

Microsoft's desire to close the kernel dates back to the Vista era, but was halted by security software vendors and EU regulators.

If security software loses privileged access, Microsoft may need to create APIs to satisfy regulators and continue operations.

The creation of hypothetical APIs could eventually be replicated by Wine and Proton, potentially improving Linux gaming.

There is a risk that using anti-cheat software through Proton could lead to false positives and game bans.

The core issue is not anti-cheat incompatibility with Proton, but a lack of Linux support from live service game developers.

Major anti-cheat solutions like Easy Anti-Cheat and BattleEye are already available for Linux without kernel-level access.

Games like Halo: Master Chief Collection can run on Linux using native anti-cheat solutions, despite Fortnite lacking Linux support.

Microsoft's closure of the kernel could be more harmful than beneficial, giving them more control over competition.

Microsoft's track record with security is poor, with an unpatched vulnerability in Windows Update revealed recently.

A completely closed-off Windows kernel space could exacerbate the issues with Windows as a product.

Windows' market share dominance allows them to push inferior updates and integrate ads into the OS.

The closure of the Windows kernel may not improve Linux gaming as expected, contrary to popular belief.

Linux has seen an all-time high in desktop usership, and Windows 11 has lost market share, indicating a shift.

Linux is becoming more user-friendly and supported by major players like Valve and System76, hinting at its growing dominance.

The potential closure of the Windows kernel could be a catalyst for Linux's rise in the desktop market.

Transcripts

Microsoft's apparently Keen to kick

software vendors out of the windows

kernel lots of folks are thinking that

this has a silver lining for us Linux

gaming enthusiasts I mean after all if

easy anti sheet and others have to run

in user space that's got to be good for

us Linux Gamers right not so fast there

are a lot of nuances here and many

questions that remain unresolved so

let's dive into this will a lockdown of

Windows help or hurt Linux gaming for

first of all what's changed and what's

the reason we're even talking about this

so you probably remember the crowd

strike incident from a few weeks ago I

mean after that who can blame Microsoft

for wanting to lock vendors out of their

kernel and who wouldn't I mean why

wouldn't they let a good crisis go to

waste now crowd strike was a man-made

disaster a single vendor whose software

served a very specific and in my opinion

mostly security theater purpose brought

down multiple Industries for days and

while Microsoft doesn't really shoulder

any of the blame here at least in my

opinion they faced uncomfortable

questions about how this could have been

allowed to happen in the first place you

see Microsoft has wanted to close down

the konel since the Vista ERA this was

back when they were scheming to solidify

themselves as the only valid PC

operating system but thanks to the

objections from security software

vendors and EU Regulators that didn't

happen back then we had one of the worst

versions of Windows ever released trying

to close itself off because of security

concerns while pushing absurd Hardware

requirements and pissing everybody off

today well let's just say nothing ever

changes now let's just say that I don't

think that this will help Linux gaming

if security software loses privileged

access that they rely on to do their

work from Windows systems how would they

continue to operate well it's pretty

clear to me that micros roft would have

to create some kind of API for these

Solutions since Redmond would have to

satisfy Regulators somehow after all

Microsoft is a competitor with crowd

strike and with all of the other

security software vendors out there I'm

talking like antivirus and the like and

Hell making apis is basically all

Microsoft has ever contributed to the

world anyway so it's not like they're

unfamiliar with this territory now if

this hypothetical API were to become a

thing it would only be a matter of time

before wine and proton eventually

replicated it and maybe we'd even be

able to run Windows andtie software

through proton who knows but you

probably wouldn't want to do that

primarily because if an anti-che update

comes down the pipeline and things are

slightly out of whack with proton the

anti-che could panic and erroneously

detect you as cheating and that would

result in a temporary or even a

permanent ban for for your account I

mean Bungie was Banning Destiny 2

players for playing the game on Steam

deck now you probably just don't want to

risk that right and this really gets to

the heart of the matter the problem is

not that anti-che is incompatible with

proton it's that live service game

developers aren't supporting Linux it's

important to realize that we already

have the major anti-che Solutions

available for Linux right like we have

easy we have battle eye for example

what's more is that they don't need

kernel level access to do their job on

Linux and there are many games on the

market Halo Master Chief Collection

being one just off the top of my head

that is able to run the game in proton

and use a native version of these antie

Solutions but even though epic's easy

antie has a Linux client fortnite their

Flagship game doesn't have Linux support

it's quite hypocritical in my opinion

but more than that it demonstrates the

contempt that game developers have for

Linux they don't take Linux seriously

despite the heavy investment the growing

market share and the superior technology

to that of windows so regardless of all

of that I believe Microsoft closing off

the kernel has the potential to do more

harm than good honestly why well three

reasons the first is that as I mentioned

Microsoft are competitors with these

security software vendors Microsoft's

closing down of their kernel would give

them even more control over their

competition it would be a monopolistic

move in a major way and it would

potentially solidify their control over

the entire Windows environment second

for all their cries of security and

whatever Microsoft's track record is

incredibly poor it was revealed just

this week that there's been a severe

open vulnerability in Windows update for

more than in 6 months and Microsoft has

left it unpatched since they learned

about it this vulnerability lets

attackers downgrade security patches to

versions with known exploits that they

would then be able to use to attack the

system further and it's been unpatched

for 6 months and that's not to mention

the Myriad of other issues with

Microsoft's products recently and the

third reason is that Windows is already

a terrible product and having a kernel

space that's completely closed off would

make it worse how well Windows has over

70% of desktop operating system market

share worldwide they have no practical

competition and that's what lets them

get away with making windows

progressively worse it's why they can

bake ads into their OS it's why they can

push broken updates and force everyone

to use Microsoft accounts to access

their own

computers closing the kernel down

further blots out competition and makes

their complacency even more problematic

and that leads me to my next point

because if Microsoft actually closes

down the windows kernel it's not going

to help us the way that people seem to

expect that somehow kicking Andy cheat

out of the kernel space will magically

make user space solutions for Linux work

under proton no that's nonsense honestly

I mean again we've had easy anti Che and

battle eye on Linux for years at this

point and there are tons of developers

who just don't Port Linux but here's the

thing in July Windows 11 lost nearly 1%

of its market share on the steam

Hardware survey July also saw an

all-time high for Linux desktop usership

according to Stats counter back in the

Vista era Linux wasn't mature enough for

your average everyday unskilled computer

user to install on their machine let

alone run Linux as their daily driver

today we not only have robust solutions

from multiple Linux vendors that are

userfriendly

easy to install and trivial to maintain

we've also got massive players like

valve entering the OS market and paying

open-source developers to improve

critical software we also have

incredible Hardware vendors like system

76 creating PCS with fully integrated

Linux powered software and we have a

record number of pre-built computers

shipping with Linux pre-installed much

like we've seen with blender and with

the rise of projects like gdau engine I

believe Linux dominance is inevitable

consider that Linux already runs the

entire world minus the desktop when

developers lose access to the windows

kernel that might just be one more nail

in the windows coffin so it may not be

tomorrow it may not be the day after but

it is coming a Microsoft lockdown well

dictatorships being inherently unstable

it will only hasten their demise but I

would love to know what you think sound

off in the comments below you can also

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