[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

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United States Patent 7,536,726 -- Restricted software and hardware usage on a computer ***************************EXCERPT*****************************

A client computer runs an operating system that executes additional applications by loading them using an application loader and executes device drivers for peripheral devices by loading the drivers using a device loader. The operating system restricts the functionality of the operating system, such as by making selected portions and functionality of the operating system unavailable to the user or by limiting the user's ability to add software applications or device drivers to the computer. Additionally, various techniques can be used to remove or reduce the functionality limitations of the computer.

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Inventors:	Feinleib; David A. (Kirkland, WA), Gulledge; Carl L. (Redmond, WA), Haroun; Wassef (Seattle, WA), Kempin; Joachim (Bellevue, WA), Kolb; Kurt (Clyde Hill, WA), Moran; Brian K. (Issaquah, WA), Stubbs; Edward L. (Redmond, WA), Swed; Jacob D. (Seattle, WA)
Assignee:	Microsoft Corporation (Redmond, WA)
Appl. No.:	11/266,451
Filed:	November 3, 2005

[KarlInOhio]

Isn't that one of the general reasons for having an operating system, to keep the user programs from doing things they shouldn't do and accessing memory they shouldn't, especially if the program isn't being run from a root account? Just on the surface it looks like Microsoft is patenting prior art, unless there is some new innovative method of doing this hidden in the patent.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

So when I go to look at the diagrams that go with the Patent...am my Firefox says I need a plugin...I find that there is none available....perhaps I have to pay microsoft so I can see the diagrams?