Microsoft has made concessions regarding cyber security developers and their demand to be given more time to ensure Windows 10 compatibility.
Microsoft Responds to Kaspersky’s Demands on Windows 10
Kaspersky Lab has recently dropped their antitrust complaints after Microsoft decided to give (AV) vendors additional time to conduct adequate tests on their products with new Windows 10 updates.
Some of the latest changes Microsoft is implementing are regarding its handling of third-party antivirus in the upcoming release of Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. Kaspersky on their part has made it clear they will be withdrawing their antitrust complaints to the European Commission, Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS), and the German Federal Cartel Office.
Another concession that Microsoft has made is that now cyber security companies will now be allowed to show their own notifications in Windows 10, effectively prompting users to renew their security software before and after it expires. Microsoft will also modify the way Windows will inform its user when their security software has expired. Instead of displaying a discreet notification is essentially ignored by most users, Windows 10 will display a persistent notification which will stay on the user’s screen until they: renew their existing security solution; opt in for Microsoft’s very own Windows Defender; or alternatively, choose another solution. These changes are scheduled to come into effect as soon as the new Windows 10 Fall Creator’s Update rolls out.
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Current Situation With Windows 10
In June, this year, Microsoft received an official warning from the FAS that it was illegal for them to switch off third-party antivirus and instead activate its own Windows 10 built-in antivirus software, Windows Defender. Kaspersky followed up on the FAS warning soon after, having filed a similar complaint to German and European Union regulators.
Following the complaint, Kaspersky claimed that Microsoft had, since Windows 10, reduced its compatibility time frame for antivirus vendors from a period of months down to a matter of weeks. Consequently, Microsoft decided to extend that period after Kaspersky’s complaint and it will subsequently come with the Fall Creators Update.
Kaspersky went on to elaborate – “We are absolutely satisfied with the changes that will be implemented in the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, and we will be taking all necessary steps to withdraw our claims and inform all regulatory bodies that we no longer have any matters for Microsoft to address.”
“That… means that there should be no switch-offs due to incompatibility issues,” said Kaspersky Lab’s Vice President of Consumer Products, Andrei Mochola. “If you’ve paid for a security solution, you can expect it to be updated on time, so that it can work smoothly with all the OS updates you install.”
The changes to Microsoft’s stance were decided in July, after a meeting between Microsoft, Kaspersky, and members of the Microsoft Virus Initiative.
“We will give AV partners better visibility and certainty around release schedules for feature updates. This includes increasing the amount of time AV partners will have to review final builds before the next Windows 10 feature update is rolled out to customers,” said Microsoft’s partner director of Windows Enterprise and Security, Rob Lefferts.
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Kaspersky Free Windows 10 Antivirus Software
Meanwhile, Kaspersky has recently released a free version of its software globally. Fundamentally, this version of their free product is based on their paid antivirus. However, it is lighter on system resources, lacking features in the likes of parental control, online payment protection, and a secure VPN connection, the company stated. The essentials are there – file, email, instant message, and web antivirus. The software will be able to scan incoming traffic; incoming and outgoing IM messages; emails; and all the files that the user opens, saves or runs.
