Thursday, February 28th 2019
Anti-cheat Software Runs Amok Causing System Crashes in Windows 10 Insider Previews
In what is likely to cause some hand wringing or chuckles depending on upon your personality, Microsoft's Windows 10 Insider Preview Slow Ring (beta versions of the OS) has not seen a new release in months. This is due to a common Anti-cheat software running amok and causing GSODs (replacement for BSODs in preview builds). The problem itself has existed for a few months and needs to be fixed by the creators of the software as noted by Chief of the Windows Insider program, Dona Sarkar, on twitter. Apparently, this isn't something Microsoft can fix due to how the software itself functions. Essentially the unspecified anti-cheat software runs in kernel mode and tampers with various aspects of the OS that it is not supposed to tamper with. While it is possible, the software is using allowed hooks in order to function. It is also possible that in the process it is damaging kernel data structures and code. This situation is likely to stir up debate on how effective anti-cheat software is considering it seldom seems to stop determined cheaters and as of now is causing the OS crash and is proving to be a thorn in Microsoft's side.
Still, this has more ramifications than just some system crashes or a software company that needs to edit some code. It directly results in Microsoft having to delay Preview releases. Since these Slow Ring builds can't be tested or validated. Pair that with the fact Microsoft's testing of Windows 10 builds is already considered lackluster with many bugs and issues going unresolved and you end up with a rather grim situation. After all, it was only a few short months ago that the October 2018 update was released after suffering numerous problems and delays. If issues like that continue, it seems the April 2019 update could be delayed as well. To avoid this and to get something done, Microsoft will be pushing out a Slow Ring build to systems that do not have the offending anti-cheat software. Better late than never but you would have thought that this solution would have been implemented sooner.
Sources:
Ars Technica, Twitter 1, Twitter 2
Still, this has more ramifications than just some system crashes or a software company that needs to edit some code. It directly results in Microsoft having to delay Preview releases. Since these Slow Ring builds can't be tested or validated. Pair that with the fact Microsoft's testing of Windows 10 builds is already considered lackluster with many bugs and issues going unresolved and you end up with a rather grim situation. After all, it was only a few short months ago that the October 2018 update was released after suffering numerous problems and delays. If issues like that continue, it seems the April 2019 update could be delayed as well. To avoid this and to get something done, Microsoft will be pushing out a Slow Ring build to systems that do not have the offending anti-cheat software. Better late than never but you would have thought that this solution would have been implemented sooner.
37 Comments on Anti-cheat Software Runs Amok Causing System Crashes in Windows 10 Insider Previews
Trust me. Epic wont curate or moderate the kind of trash that gets uploaded onto their store in the way that steam has let alone put in the EFFORT that steam has to try and reign in all the asset flip bullshit on its platform.
Also. I dont see you opinion about GoG kowtowing to non customers. I thought GoG was only a DRM free game store. What are these non customers complaining about? I thought DRM free games was something that everyone wanted?
Maybe Im missing something but youre blatantly trying to paint GoG as some sort of political activist and I dont follow. Neither do I want politics in my games.
Are you living under a rock? AI is the answer... STEAM does it already. AI analyses game play replays... then deduces who cheated... and that's the right way...
So you in itself are a byproduct of what i just spoke of. rather than focus on what GoG do - which is to sell DRM free games. you hint or bait it into some political or SJW BS that twitter has been breeding for the last few years.
I am in no way excusing whatever GoG said but at the same time you havent really put anything forward about them 'kowtowing' to non-customers either. give me evidence or at least clarify what you meant because even your response is politically charged