Windows 8 May Fight Piracy Via the Cloud
Windows 8 may store key kernel files on Microsoft cloud servers.
Last month we reported that Windows 8 may feature a cloud-based backup feature. The news stemmed from two Microsoft job listings which discussed a possible connection between Windows Azure, web-based services and Windows 8. The news also stemmed from a set of slides released earlier this year suggesting that cloud-based computing would play a vital role in Windows 8.
Now there's an indication that Windows 8 will synchronize several key kernel files directly from Microsoft cloud servers, possibly preventing piracy while also providing instant system updates without requiring a reboot. Windows 8 will supposedly use backup kernels if an Internet connection is unavailable, however the OS will contact Microsoft servers and download the latest files whenever the connection is re-established.
Currently it's unclear how Microsoft will "whitelist" computers and/or licenses. At this point everything is mere speculation, with this latest bit of cloud-based insight stemming from an unnamed source. However the rumor also coincides with previous reports that user accounts would be located in the cloud, saving roaming settings and preferences that would be associated with the user across multiple Windows-based devices.
There's no question that cloud-based services will play a major role in Windows 8. As previously mentioned, Microsoft was seeking a Windows System Engineer to “play a role as we integrate our online services with Windows 8." Another listing sought out a Software Development Engineer to help with work on "a Windows Azure-based service and integrating with certain Microsoft online services and Windows 8 client backup."
Will storing key kernel files on cloud servers help prevent piracy? It's a given that hackers will find a way to enable offline operation, however that could mean pirates couldn't go online. What's the fun in that?
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Microsoft might bring out a new OS first time that we actually want..
Shock horror...
PC's have started to loose ground to macs
why cos every twat writes a virus for it..
Why cant some one exodus the Mac OS and be done with it..
Would love to see smile wiped of a poncy mac users face
Why hellboy only sstupid people get viruses. i've haad 1 virus and that afterdownlding of torrents sites which is basically illegal in the first place. othwise i've had n problems. and i's say mach has done the desctop chats in recent year since only really mac dev's and media indusrty use them. otherwise windows 7 is dominating the home market DOMINATING
Hellboy, where in the article does it compare Windows to OSX? and where does it mention Viruses?
it's simply stating that part of the OS may be moved to the cloud. Which doesnt seem to have anything to do with what you wrote? Mac bashing for the sake of it?
"however that could mean pirates couldn't go online. What's the fun in that?"
Clever, don't directly try to stop piracy but make pirates' lives a little harder. Thus detracting a number of them from the occupation.
cool, now MS won't even have to hide to spy on us ...
Hellboy, where in the article does it compare Windows to OSX? and where does it mention Viruses?
it's simply stating that part of the OS may be moved to the cloud. Which doesnt seem to have anything to do with what you wrote? Mac bashing for the sake of it?
no just sick of stupid people changing to mac due to the fact that their machines get infected due to what they download
and as the majority are stupid (computer wise)
then people will buy what seems fit
microsoft should really concentrate on that first before sorting how to stop their software being ripped.
just want to see a mac virus devistate a mac like a pc one does
Well, I guess I won't be buying Windows 8 then.
Well, I guess I won't be buying Windows 8 then.
Im sure Windows 8 will be good but it has to address these issues
1 - Google OS is comming and its gathering momentum so make it competetive
2 - Cloud computing is good - if the broadband can keep up
3 - It must load a lot quicker and be ready to use than this current crock
4 - 64 bit os only now - the time has come to move on people...
5 - dump legacy once and for all
6 - dx 12 anyone
7 - put Windows Mail back in
8 - can we have that moving background thing again which was in vista ultimate - now that was cool.
9 make it secure as hell - infact put a compatible windows xp / 7 mode so we can run all our old stuff with hardware video acceleration - not that poncy xp mode which dont play games we all want.
give us a configurable dos box emulator to run old stuff too
some of the old games really were that good - dungeon keeper anyone
Everyone who complains about Windows being insecure, think outside the box.. Thats cos all the hackers aim for Windows as its the most popular OS. No one is gonna write a virus for linux when 1% of the computer user use linux. Windows itself is fairly secure. Viruses don't come automatically flying to your face, you download them from bad sites yourself. Its your responsiblity for visiting those sites, theres no one to blame.
Personally I'm against all this cloud shit, what are you gonna do lets say if you were in a power cut with a laptop? Oh I have no internet, so I can't even log on my laptop. What if you were moving house and your internet is down? Oh my computer is useless because I don't have internet. Geez we can't be that reliant, we can't stop pirates they'll ALWAYS crack the software.
Lets just hope Windows 8 is a good one.
@hellboy - agree with all your points. As for legacy software - just give us a decent VM for all that!