I installed Arch Linux without turning off the WPBT bloatware in my BIOS. While this is a Windows feature is there a chance manufacturers could use this feature to install Linux bloatware that users don’t want?

  • Max-P@lemmy.max-p.me
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    3
    ·
    7 months ago

    Linux doesn’t support that feature that I’m aware off, no. And if it was, given the consensus on the security implications, it would be an optional feature you have to opt into, especially on Arch.

    But since it’s basically intended for manufacturers to post-install things on the machine when Windows boots up, it’s unlikely we’ll even see it being used on Linux. It would be very impractical, would work only on some distros, and might not even work a few updates down the line. Plus on Linux generally you just get things integrated in the kernel and distros package manager. Unlike Windows, manufacturers can just bake a Linux live CD installer of whatever they want freely. They wouldn’t need a license to be allowed to distribute modified Windows installers, that’s A-OK in the Linux world to do if they want to ship a custom Ubuntu with extras on it.

    That feature mostly exists so Windows users can download a Windows ISO from Microsoft, install it on their computer, and it’ll automatically pick up drivers so you don’t have to go find drivers on the Internet you have to put on a USB stick because your WiFi doesn’t work out of the box. On Linux, we’d rather just the distro ship the kernel driver and firmware files needed for it, unless the license prevents you from doing so, like Broadcom chips.