Windows Kernel Lockdown: A Win for Linux Gamers?
Summary
TLDRThe 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
- ๐ Microsoft is considering locking down the Windows kernel, which could potentially impact software vendors.
- ๐ฎ The author suggests that this move might have a silver lining for Linux gaming enthusiasts, but also warns of potential complications.
- ๐ค The script raises questions about how security software will operate without kernel-level access and the potential need for new APIs.
- ๐ซ The 'crowd strike incident' is mentioned as a catalyst for Microsoft's desire to secure their kernel, highlighting the vulnerability of current systems.
- ๐ก๏ธ 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.
- ๐ 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.
- ๐ซ The script points out the risk of using Proton for anti-cheat software, as it could lead to false positives and game bans.
- ๐ป The author criticizes game developers for not supporting Linux, despite its growing market share and technological advantages.
- ๐ The script argues that Microsoft's kernel lockdown could do more harm than good, citing monopolistic tendencies and poor security track records.
- ๐ 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.
- ๐ 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
๐น๏ธ 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.
๐ซ 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.
Mindmap
Keywords
๐กWindows kernel
๐กLinux gaming
๐กCrowdStrike incident
๐กAPI
๐กWine and Proton
๐กAnti-cheat
๐กLive service games
๐กMarket share
๐กMonopolistic move
๐กSecurity vulnerabilities
๐กDictatorships and instability
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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