17
Jun 2009
22 Comments
OEMs, partners can’t brand Windows 7 Starter either

¡Qué Bonita! Back in March, I wrote about a sick-joke of a limitation in Windows 7 Starter edition preventing users from changing the wallpaper. The limitation was imposed by the use of a technical licensing policy named ChangeDesktopBackground-Enabled and re-enforced by a SHA-256 hash of the static image, to prevent img0.jpg hot-swapping.

Given Windows 7 Starter’s applicability to the rising netbook market, it was presumed that Starter would branded by OEMs and/or mobile carriers (like Verizon) like any other Windows SKU. This is no longer a valid presumption.

Here’s the official scoop, from Microsoft:

In Windows Starter Edition, OEMs must not modify or replace the Windows-provided background for Windows Welcome, the logon screen, or the desktop.

Yikes.

Digging through the recent leaked builds, I have also confirmed that Microsoft has modified the SHA-256 hash, indicating a new (and now permanent) Starter wallpaper is now in place. Due to the low quality of the recent leaks, however, I can’t show you what it looks like. My guess? The new humongous Windows logo wallpaper, shrunk down of course.

(Thankfully, UxStyle, to be pushed out as a public beta this weekend (hopefully), will feature the ability to bypass this wallpaper restriction.)

Super-nerd Corner: The new hash is 08601919CA548F77C5B0ECB49E9B610AF188CA8227CF0F2DA5D99473D80090DC

  • Darren Tebo

    Wow, that is stupid. What is the point of the limit then? lol. Oh well, they must have some reason I suppose. Life is so funny sometimes. :) By the way, I am looking forward to seeing your UxStyle Software. It will be great I am sure. :) Keep up the great work. :)

  • Dove

    Btw is this limitation just on wallpaper or on screensavers, themes, mouse pointers, sounds as well? And does the leaked DreamScene hack work in Starter edition?

  • Lego399

    I think it’s pretty stupid that OEM’s can’t brand this edition.

    I’m looking forward to seeing UxStyle.

  • http://twitter.com/davidtaraso David

    I actually don’t mind in the slightest that OEMs can’t modify anything, but the end user definitely shouldn’t be restricted.

    I just plain don’t like how OEMs are tarnishing the OOBE. To be honest, Microsoft should be imposing more restrictions on them. That’s one of the pros with Macs, you can buy any Mac and the experience will be consistent. But when it comes to Windows PCs, the default experience varies not only by manufacturer, but by model.

  • Ken Branwell

    Wouldn’t you be able to boot into a live Linux distro like Knoppix and just find and change img0.jpg? Or is img0.jpg wrapped inside an executable or dll?

  • http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft Mary Jo Foley

    Do you think this limitation is just one more thing Microsoft is hoping makes netbooks less popular? I know they did away with the 3-concurrent-app limit in Win 7 Starter… but maybe that also was a way to try to make users less happy with the OS in the end (due to performance) and a backhanded way to convince them to “step up” to Home Premium? Just wondering aloud….

  • http://www.cullend.com Cullen D

    LOL. Get ready for a DoJ inquiry into this. Not letting the OEM’s change the wallpaper is a big no no. For those of you who haven’t read through all the case transcripts from both Microsoft anti-trust cases, not allowing OEM’s to change the background is a direct violation of the original consent decree, and I believe a violation of the 2002 “Final Rulling”.

  • http://hapbt.info hapbt

    i want that uxstyle!
    want want want

  • http://wacker.is-a-geek.net pizzaboy192

    I’m guessing that you found a way around this, if you have a bypass in your uxStyle?

  • http://uxevangelist.blogspot.com Stephen

    That’s the kinda fun ‘n games we have around here!

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  • Franpa

    [quote]Wouldn’t you be able to boot into a live Linux distro like Knoppix and just find and change img0.jpg? Or is img0.jpg wrapped inside an executable or dll?[/quote]

    They hash the file, if you change it the hash will no longer be valid and you will likely end up with a blank wall paper or something.

  • Shinji

    I recently installed Windows 7 starter inside of VirtualBox and I thought I would poke around first. The first thing was that I tracked down the img0.jpg file that you mentioned and upload it for all to see.

    http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/6223/img0y.jpg

    I did note that paint still had the set as desktop background option but alas nothing happened.

  • Roszyk

    I bought a netbook yesterday to use for school work, web browsing, media player, etc. Basic stuff. This inability to change personalization settings is just Microsoft trying to get me to buy features I don’t need. $80.00 for the ability to change my wallpaper. I don’t think so! I have no use for the other Premium edition features. Hey Microsoft, can you spell UBUNTU!!

  • http://thirdworldcounty.us David

    Changing the desktop background in Win7 Starter edition is easy-peasy, if you don’t mind using a FREE third-party app.

    http://www.thirdworldcounty.us/?p=6329

    My daughter brought her lil HP Mini 110 to me with this complaint and a few minutes googling brought forth the answer.

    While I’m not a huge Me$$Y$oft fan, this is pretty much a non-issue.