Microsoft finally published a response to Kaspersky's EU complaint after the company requested an antitrust investigation into how the Redmond behaves in third-party antivirus in the Windows operating system.
In a lengthy statement, Microsoft defended Windows 10 antivirus and explained how the company works with security software vendors to make the operating system secure with third-party solutions. Rob Lefferts, Director at Windows & Devices Group, Security & Enterprise, explains that Windows Defender is currently one of the top solutions on the market, with detection rates over 99%.
Lefferts reports that Microsoft works with nearly 80 independent software vendors under the so-called Microsoft Virus Initiative (MVI) program, which allows antivirus vendors to prepare for the development of new versions of Windows and optimize solutions to prevent any compatibility problems may occur.
In addition, Microsoft says that security companies can test compatibility with new versions of Windows thanks to the Windows Insider program, a program that includes millions users who can send comments on any problem it may occur.
Lefferts was of course referring to Kaspersky's claim that Microsoft disables its antivirus software when it updates Windows, as it did when upgrading to Windows 10 Creators Update which was released on April 11.
95% of the Windows 10 computers that received the update run antivirus-compatible with Creators Update reported by Microsoft.
"For the small number of applications that still needed updating, we created a feature for AV applications only that would motivate the user to install a new edition of the AV application immediately after the update is complete. To do this, we have temporarily disabled some parts of the AV software during the update process. ”
Finally, Lefferts emphasizes that Microsoft is always working closely with antivirus vendors to make sure there are no compatibility problems when updating Windows and keeping users constantly protected. This is why Windows Defender removes or shuts down third-party antivirus, Lefferts added.
Microsoft tried to communicate with Kaspersky several times, according to reports, but the Russian security firm has decided to initiate legal proceedings. The EU has not yet announced whether an antitrust investigation will be launched.
I do not use software for viruses from third parties I am with what Windows 10 has and I have never had a problem with any virus getting on my PC.