Windows 7 Starter hides but allows ad-hoc networking
This week, I was disassembling software that a major, to-remain-nameless OEM, put out for their netbook customers. I was ready to call them out on code that deliberately bypassed a licensed feature check in Windows, enabling ad-hoc wireless networking… but when I booted up an Eee PC, ad-hoc wireless networking worked out of the box.
Huh? But why does Microsoft explicitly state Starter Edition cannot participate in ad-hoc networks? And why is this OEM patching Windows code? More specifically, why were they intercepting the SLGetWindowsInformation function (within the Explorer process), waiting for Microsoft-Windows-DOT11PREF-AllowAdhoc as a parameter and returning a true value every time? (Some of us call this a “crack”.)
I couldn’t find the difference in ad-hoc networking between the Starter and Home Premium editions. Paul Thurrott did, however. (Of course he did, he’s a robot.)
Yep, that’s the difference.
On Windows 7 Starter Edition, the “Set up a wireless ad hoc network” link in the dialog above is missing. That’s the licensed “feature” you’re missing out on. I repeat: You’re licensed to use ad-hoc networking. You’re not licensed to use the shortcut in this dialog. To access the wizard that this link normally points to, simply Start Menu search for ‘adhoc’. It’s a lot of work, I know.
Given how ridiculous this behaves, I believe it’s safe to assume this is an unintentional screw up. Enjoy it while you can, netbook cheapos -- it’ll probably be fixed in a future hotfix or service pack. Kudos to the unnamed OEM for “fixing” this screw up in their software.
And this patch is in written in .NET, injected into every process and increases CPU usage to at least 10%, i guess?
You should blow up that OEM. It’s explicitly disallowed everywhere.
And ad-hoc networks are not useful on netbooks? F U MS! If a version of the OS should have a stupid restriction like this, I would expect it to be corp. and servers.
[...] [via Within Windows] [...]
Is the Virtual Wi Fi available on Starter? If yes, then it’s better than ad hoc networking. Anyways, Microsoft just loves crippling amd dumbing down Windows more and more, not just those lower priced SKUs. Only Prof and above is not crippled. And all editions are crippled compared to XP: Take some time reading: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_features_removed_in_Windows_Vista and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_features_removed_in_Windows_7
I bet Starter was built on MinWin. Just the other day, Betanews had an article (http://www.betanews.com/article/Mark-Russinovich-on-MinWin-the-new-core-of-Windows/1259792850) so there’s a strong chance Starter has MinWin. It’s clear from that article that full-featured Windows client SKU aren’t based on MinWin.
They are all built on MinWin, you clearly don’t understand what MinWin is, even though Mark has explained it time and time again, but for those that can’t read you can watch.
http://microsoftpdc.com/Sessions/P09-20 (part1)
http://microsoftpdc.com/Sessions/CL29 (part 2)
http://channel9.msdn.com/shows/Going+Deep/Mark-Russinovich-Inside-Windows-7/
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Interesting discovery – did Microsoft think that without the shortcut no one would discover that the wireless ad-hoc ability still existed? Agreed – probably an oversight on their part.
Windows 7 Starter “Cripple” Edition designed on purpose to be sold to customers!
-> 32bit Only (Must use slower PC)
-> 1 CPU Supported Only (Must use crappy PC)
-> Cannot Create a Home Group (Don’t Share)
-> Cannot Backup to Network (No network back)
-> No Multiple Monitor Support
-> No Fast user switching
-> No Changeable Desktop Wallpaper
-> No Desktop Window Manager
-> No Windows Mobility Center
-> No Windows Aero Glass Themes
-> No Aero glass remoting
-> No Multitouch
-> No Premium Games Included
-> No Windows Media Center
-> No Windows Media Player Remote Media Experience
-> No Encrypting File System
-> No Location Aware Printing
-> No Remote Desktop Host
-> No Presentation Mode
-> No Windows Server domain joining
-> No Windows XP Mode
-> No AppLocker
-> No BitLocker Drive Encryption
-> No BranchCache Distributed Cache
-> No Direct Access
-> No Subsystem for Unix-based Applications
-> No Multilingual User Interface Pack
-> No Virtual Hard Disk Booting
-> No/Yes Shortcut Disable for Ad-Hoc Network
Microsoft builds in all these restrictions, then plans to charge you big money to remove them.
Is this the type of “Restrictions” you want to purchase?
@Proprietary Pushers: Well, duh. Starter isn’t meant to be the most impressive package. It’s meant to give just the basic functions that perhaps a really average consumer would need. Those missing features would be nice to have, but I think a majority of the targeted users would probably not use most of them.
[...] in the [Set Up a Connection or Network] dialog is missing," said Rivera in an entry on his Within Windows blog [...]
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Strange ! I dunno, why MS tries to put so much restrictions, instead of doing this, they should have two or three editions only. Home, Pro and Ultimate… That’s it.
Windows Starter, like Express Edition?
by the way, have you tried the free Connectify.me?
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[...] as Virtual Wireless Networking, which you can enable with Connectify, but it does get the job done. Windows 7 Starter hides but allows ad-hoc networking [Within Windows via PC [...]
[...] as Virtual Wireless Networking, which you can enable with Connectify, but it does get the job done. Windows 7 Starter hides but allows ad-hoc networking [Within Windows via PC [...]
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[...] hidden feature was discovered by Rafael Rivera, on his Within Windows blog, as he was digging into some open source software bundled with netbooks, from an unnamed OEM. He [...]
Good catch Rafael
This is Microsoft silliness at its best and it rates high alongside the can’t change wallpaper on starter.
[...] Rafael Rivera discovered that there was only a shortcut to the feature that was disabled; the feature itself is still there. All you have to do is type “adhoc” into the Windows search bar in the Start Menu and it’ll show up, as illustrated above. Done and done. [...]
[...] Rafael Rivera discovered that there was only a shortcut to the feature that was disabled; the feature itself is still there. All you have to do is type “adhoc” into the Windows search bar in the Start Menu and it’ll show up, as illustrated above. Done and done. [...]
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[...] einrichten” angezeigt. pcworld.com bezieht sich in dem Artikel auf einen Blogbeitrag von Within Windows, verfasst von Rafael Rivera, der erklärt, der Käufer von Windows 7 Starter habe mit der [...]
[...] hidden feature was discovered by Rafael Rivera, on his Within Windows blog, as he was digging into some open source software bundled with netbooks, from an unnamed OEM. He [...]
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[...] Rafael Rivera discovered that there was only a shortcut to the feature that was disabled; the feature itself is still there. All you have to do is type "adhoc" into the Windows search bar in the Start Menu and it’ll show up, as illustrated above. Done and done. [...]
Microsoft…Microsoft…Microsoft
Always the same shit!
Bla,Bla,Bla
Fuck you Rafael
cursos de windows 7
@Proprietary Pushers Sounds a lot like my PC with Windows XP lol. Except I enjoy dual monitors.
[...] ad-hoc na versão mais limitada do Windows 7, a Starter, contraditando o que expressa a Microsoft, Rafael Riveira revelou como o fazer. Configurar uma Rede Ad [...]
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[...] as Virtual Wireless Networking, which you can enable with Connectify, but it does get the job done. Windows 7 Starter hides but allows ad-hoc networking [Within Windows via PC [...]
[...] there is way to enable & setup adhoc wifi in Windows 7 Starter edition. Rafael Rivera from WithinWindow has found out that ad-hoc wifi feature is hidden inside Windows 7 Starter [...]
[...] to Rafel Rivera of WithinWindows, Windows 7 Starter Edition hides Ad hoc Wi-Fi networking feature, but allows it’s use. Though [...]
[...] spun si cei de pe Within Windows, absurd, penibil si ridicol… asa se poate numi ceea ce a facut Microsoft in cazul de fata. [...]
This is something that microsoft does with the basic version of their pro softwares, i think.
hey
This has been of great help : i’m abroad, only 1 ethernet connection coming through the wall, and 1 netbook with windows 7 starter edition plugged to it. I’m trying to get my iphone connected but i can’t get more than a wifi network (the iphone sees it and can connect to it). Sharing connection doesn’t work, it says i don’t have enough privileges to share the connection, even though i’m logged in as admin.
Does anyone has any idea about what to do?
lol! leave it to m$ to either screw things up on a regular basis and/or go ala carte on everything possible until you are paying them $100’s a year! WE PREFER LINUX… PREDICTABLE!