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.
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/
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.
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?
Good catch Rafael
This is Microsoft silliness at its best and it rates high alongside the can’t change wallpaper on starter.
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.
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!
I’m having the same problem DNA. Could be an update microsoft put out since this post?