Microsoft to Kaspersky: Windows Defender is Top Antivirus

Microsoft finally published a response to Kaspersky's EU complaint when the company called for an antitrust investigation into how Redmond treats third-party antivirus on 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, a program that includes millions of users who can send feedback on any problem that may arise.

Ο Lefferts φυσικά αναφερόταν στον ισχυρισμό της Kaspersky ότι η Microsoft απενεργοποιεί το λογισμικό προστασίας από ιούς όταν ενημερώνει τα Windows, όπως έγινε και με την αναβάθμιση σε 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 apps that still needed updating, we created an AV app-only feature that would prompt the user to install a new version of applications AV immediately after the update is complete. To do this, we temporarily disabled some parts of the AV software during the update process.”

In the end, Lefferts stresses that Microsoft always works closely with antivirus vendors to make sure they don't exist problems compatibility when updating Windows but also to keep users constantly protected. That's why Windows Defender removes or terminates 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.