Will Windows 10 viruses work on phones

[pericle]

Hi, I am just curious since Microsoft announced that there will only be one operating system, Windows 10, across all devises, whether Windows viruses will now work on Windows phones when Windows 10 is released?

 

[satycool]

I hope so. I got a 1520 and still waiting for Denim. I wish MS be more clear about there updates!

 

[Harrie-S]

Not likely that viruses jump from windows 10 to windows phone 10. Because hardware etc are completely different.

 

[Maaz Mansori]

Viruses? Keep in mind that Windows 10 on a phone is still likely to be a closed OS, meaning you can only install software from the store. Most desktop software, including viruses, would be incompatible anyway because phones don't generally use an x86/x64 processor. Where unification would occur is the Windows Store where most of the apps would work on both the desktop/tablet and the phone.

 

[link68759]

No.

 

[dKp1977]

Phones = ARM architecture, which are completely different from what viruses and desktop software require: x86/x64 architecture. There's no way to get anything developed for the latter running on an ARM powered device. And even if someone would invest time and effort to code ARM specific viruses - like they do for Android powered platforms - it wouldn't make any sense at all. WP has all its apps running sandboxed and in isolated storages. There's just no way for these viruses to gain access to other apps or even the OS itself. People may complain about the walled gardens that iOS and WP are as they want, but it's the perfect symbiosis of security and functionality. Android is open and can be customized to death. For an unbearable price: a security nightmare and utter mess.

 

[SSgt Bruskowiz]

Nope, apps are working in a sandbox so viruses cant get hold of any other app or run there code.

 

[pericle]

But I thought the point of Windows 10 is to make it easier to port software across all devices, so wouldn't it be easy to port viruses just like normal software?

 

[pericle]

And with regard to sandboxing, why isn't this done for desktop Windows if it can actually stop all viruses from affecting any system?

 

[dKp1977]

But I thought the point of Windows 10 is to make it easier to port software across all devices, so wouldn't it be easy to port viruses just like normal software?

No, like I've already pointed out, there are major differences between a desktop OS and a phone OS. They are both using an entirely different architecture. You wouldn't want to try to put Diesel in a gas powered engine, would you?

Developing apps for Windows and WP has already become a lot easier with WP 8.x and Windows 8.x, because they basically share the same Kernel, most APIs and such. But we're talking mostly apps here, which are far from being developed closed to the hardware, like desktop software (e.g. Photoshop etc) and viruses are.

 

[Harrie-S]

No.

 

[spaulagain]

And with regard to sandboxing, why isn't this done for desktop Windows if it can actually stop all viruses from affecting any system?

It is done for desktop. That's what Windows 8 Metro apps are. But x86 based W8 desktop devices still support old applications which aren't sandboxed, so core directories are still exposed.

 

[dKp1977]

And with regard to sandboxing, why isn't this done for desktop Windows if it can actually stop all viruses from affecting any system?

Like someone else already said, with the Metro style apps approach, this already happened. And even some regular desktop apps are running in sandboxes, without most users even noticing it. A popular example is Internet Explorer.
The thing is, you can't just sandbox everything on a computer. Unlike most tablets and smartphones, computers need to be as versatile as humanly possibly. In order to achieve that, they have to offer a good compromise of security and openness. Many applications just wouldn't be possible without having access to system level, core features or even other applications.

 

[SSgt Bruskowiz]

If the op referred to the executable (.exe) programs with the " old fashion" installers then the answer is no, that's not possible or going to happen on windows phone devices.

 

[chris722]

If the op referred to the executable (.exe) programs with the " old fashion" installers then the answer is no, that's not possible or going to happen on windows phone devices.

Will we even have executable files going forward?

 

[SSgt Bruskowiz]

Will we even have executable files going forward?

Other besides app?
No

Programs as we use to know on the x86/64 machines are going to be obsolete.
Not directly in one day....but in little steps.

Its a win win for MS and the multiple developers and compagnies who ever used to build programs.
I try to explane.

When you buy ( for example ) cool edit pro, you buy it from the compagnie who build that darn thin.
The compagnie makes money, Microsoft is not.

But when you feel like not buying you can stil download it on multiple "pirate" sites, so you steel it.
The compagnie receives no money, as Microsoft.

New situation, where only apps can be installed through the windowsstore and executable files dont work anymore.
Compagnie builds the program, puts it in the Microsoft store.
User has no choise then to download it through the same store, so piracy is limited.
The compagnies earns his money, but also Microsoft gets a cut of the deal.
Win Win

In the near future you wont be able to install anything outside the store.

Ofcourse there shall alway be some methodes,
but not for the ordinairy people who doesnt care or dont have the knowledge to do so.

 

[spaulagain]

Will we even have executable files going forward?

Yes, for years to come we will have .exe files for desktop applications. There are many legacy style apps that are important and will remain as they are for many years. But most of those apps aren't available for ARM devices anyways. So it doesn't matter on phones and some tablets.

 

[spaulagain]

Other besides app?
No

Programs as we use to know on the x86/64 machines are going to be obsolete.
Not directly in one day....but in little steps.

Its a win win for MS and the multiple developers and compagnies who ever used to build programs.
I try to explane.

When you buy ( for example ) cool edit pro, you buy it from the compagnie who build that darn thin.
The compagnie makes money, Microsoft is not.

But when you feel like not buying you can stil download it on multiple "pirate" sites, so you steel it.
The compagnie receives no money, as Microsoft.

New situation, where only apps can be installed through the windowsstore and executable files dont work anymore.
Compagnie builds the program, puts it in the Microsoft store.
User has no choise then to download it through the same store, so piracy is limited.
The compagnies earns his money, but also Microsoft gets a cut of the deal.
Win Win

In the near future you wont be able to install anything outside the store.

Ofcourse there shall alway be some methodes,
but not for the ordinairy people who doesnt care or dont have the knowledge to do so.

This will eventually be the case, but we're still years from that happening. Hell, even 2+ years in this still hasn't changed much. Amd the modern app selection is still minimal.

 

[several potatos]

I assure you, Microsoft is working around the clock to make sure all software will be compatible.

 

[1101x10]

Will we even have executable files going forward?

When you build a Windows Phone app it has a .exe
Apps will always need a starting point.