Microsoft Locking Down Windows 8 to Stop More Leaks

We’ve had loads of copies of Windows 8 leaked to the web over the last couple of months. Each build brings us closer to the final product and we know that in September at Microsoft’s Build conference they’ll be showing us the first official preview of the OS. However it’s being reported by Winrumors that Microsoft is locking down Windows 8 to prevent unauthorized personal from downloading and installing the OS.

Of course it’s perfectly understandable that Microsoft don’t want people going through their OS and leaking all the new features in it before anything has been finalised and officially released to the public. It’s reported that the latest leaked build 8064 is the developer preview that Microsoft will be probably reveal at the Build conference next month. Apparently in an attempt to secure the build, Microsoft has set up unique product keys which are now required to install the operating system instead of the existing keys.

The source of this news reportedly comes from an internal email at Intel that was published by Winrumors announcing that the generic product keys will not activate this latest build of Windows 8.

“IntelDistrib would like to announce the immediate availability of Windows 8 x86 Client Build 8039 for testing at Intel.

NOTE:
There are two changes to the EEAP builds starting with this EEAP that you should be aware of:

All OS installations using these builds will now require the unique key for the Windows Developer Preview. Installation with previous generic keys will no longer be supported. PRODKEY.TXT files containing generic keys will no longer be included in the build packages. You will have to get the New Product Key provided on the product site. This is a special key as part of the partnership Intel has with Microsoft.The name of the EEAP builds in this package contain “FBL_EEAP” instead of “WINMAIN”. This change is a name change only, and will not affect your ability to download or use these builds in your testing.”

Microsoft have also taken some extra steps to prevent people from discovering new features from the DLL files. They’ve taken extra precautions to prevent conventional hacking methods from discovering new features in those DLL files.It’s fair enough that Microsoft don’t want the features of Windows 8 leaked to the public before they are official, but unfortunately for all you enthusiasts, you’ll have to wait a little longer to find out what Microsoft have in plan for us.

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