Microsoft clamps down on Windows 8 leaks

Windows 8 leaks come in waves. Some weeks we hear more than Microsoft would prefer, and other weeks we hear nothing at all. The company, as BUILD approaches and the market prepares to test a pre-beta edition of the coming OS, is working to stifle leaks.

WinRumors has reported an internal email from Intel that outlines security changes to Windows 8, moves that will limit the ability of people to access the builds, thus cutting down on total revelations to the market.

We are not sure at this time if other companies that have access to Windows 8 are experiencing similar lock-downs, but it would surprise us if Intel was being singled out. If you have any knowledge about the matter, please let us know. TNW Microsoft has requested comment from Microsoft.

“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.”

However, as the source for this article also noted, Microsoft is making other changes to limit leaks. A recent move by the company blocks DLL hacks that opened access to hidden features, meaning the company has cut the method of discovery that allowed for many past revelations off at the knees.

There is a bitter-sweet element to all of this, and that is that these changes are being made in preparation for a release of an early build of the operating system. In other words, we are going to see relative radio silence in the coming weeks (probably, at least), but will in short order have a real, albeit early, copy of the operating system to test.

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We would prefer to have the leaks and the build, but that appears improbable. For more information on the coming version of Windows 8 that Microsoft is likely to release, head here.