At the end of last year, Kaspersky Lab accused Microsoft of improper policy against external antivirus software developers for Windows. According to the Russian company, Microsoft hinders the normal operation of external security products for the system and imposes its own Windows Defender protection program. In addition, the company has deliberately shortened the deadline for companies to test their products in the new releases of Windows. As a result, their programs may work improperly, and companies themselves are losing customers and being financially harmed. Kaspersky even threatened to give Microsoft the European anti-monopoly devices they made in December last year.
Microsoft responded to Kaspersky's accusations by posting on one of the company's blogs, stating that the company had previously alerted antiviruses to changes by giving them access to test builds. Parts of the publication itself sound strange for rebutting because Rob Leffterts of Windows and Devices Group, the author of the publication, makes it quite clear that Microsoft is interfering in a rough way in the work of the external antivirus. Leffterts explains that with the newly released Creators Update 95% of the monitored systems have installed an antivirus-compatible update program. "For a small part of our antivirus programs, we've created AV-only functionality to encourage the user to install a newer version of the program just after the upgrade is complete. For this purpose, we temporarily disable some anti-virus software functionality at the beginning of the upgrade. We do this in partnership with our security vendor partner to specify which versions of the software are compatible and how to direct the user to follow-up, "he explains. After this action, the system itself includes Windows Defender. It does not, however, note what happens after the upgrade is complete. Leffterts writes that with an external security program, Windows Defender does not interfere in any way in its work.
"If antivirus software protects our customers, Windows Defender Antivirus does not interfere. However, if the user allows an antivirus application to work and after the set deadline, Windows Defender Antivirus automatically turns on so that they do not remain unprotected. In the case of paid antivirus solutions, we work with our supplying partners to build a set of clear notifications to inform the user that their license will soon expire and to present the possibility of updating the license. Only when this deadline ends and the antivirus application decides to stop protecting users, Windows Defender Antivirus provides protection. "
If Microsoft's explanation is similar to the European regulators, it is very likely to take care of it.
