Microsoft Pluton: Security chip doesn't let Linux on the Lenovo Z13 and Z16

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2022-08-13 16:00:09

As found out by programmer Matthew Garrett, who has won multiple FSF Free Software awards from the Free Software Foundation (FSF) for his work on Secure Boot, UEFI, and Linux , the security processor Microsoft Pluton blocks the installation of Linux on the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 and Z16.

As the Phoronix website, which specializes in Linux and open source, first reported, Matthew Garrett, Information Security Architect for the free operating system kernel Linux, has succeeded in designing a Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 in to get hands. He found that Linux cannot be started or installed from a storage medium connected via USB.

In the standard configuration, i.e. the delivery state of the notebook, the security processor that can be integrated into CPUs from AMD, Intel and Qualcomm prevents Linux from starting and only allows Windows to boot. The ThinkPad Z13 tested by the developer uses an AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6860Z with an integrated Pluton processor.

Following his observations, Matthew Garrett aka “mjg59” complains that locking out free operating systems does not generate any security benefits.