Summary: Microsoft is just blatantly trying to obstruct BSD and Linux from even booting on new desktops/laptops, having simply resorted to illegal tactics while bribing those who would otherwise deposit a complaint with the authorities
Background: Aside from the links above, consider that Lenovo (probably more OEMs to come) has become outright blocking Linux from even booting on some new laptops. They're not just preloading Windows, they force people to keep it and use it. They're using the false pretence of "security".
They don't care about the users and issuing a few bytes with random characters costs them next to nothing. It gives them control over billions of human beings.
If even one media outlet told you in 2010 that Microsoft would fall from 100% (of Web requests) to about 1 in 8 Web requests, you'd probably struggle to believe it