Microsoft backs down after Kaspersky complains

Microsoft

has agreed to make it easier for Windows 10 users to use other companies’ antivirus (AV) products, after Kaspersky Lab lodged official complaints with EU watchdogs.

The Russian security company said that Microsoft was forcing other AV companies out in favour of its own built-in security product, Windows Defender.

When customers’ subscriptions to antivirus services like Kaspersky and Norton expire, those products are forced to use Windows 10’s notification tool to inform their customers – which Kaspersky claimed was easy to miss – rather than the tool built into the products’ own security software.

Kaspersky also pointed out that when upgrading to Windows 10, many users found that the antivirus program they had been using had been removed on the grounds of incompatibility. In other cases, files critical to the running of security software like Kaspersky were removed, and Windows Defender switched on in its place.

Microsoft has now reached an agreement with Kaspersky, and will make changes to the way Windows 10 works with antivirus software, meaning security companies will be able to use their own notification tools to alert users that their subscription is up for renewal. AV customers will see a large pop-up window prompting them to renew their subscription or activate Windows Defender.

Microsoft will also give security companies more time to review major new updates to Windows 10 before they are rolled out to users. This will allow them to check that their security products are compatible with the new software versions, and to make any necessary changes.

Kaspersky said it’s “satisfied with the proposed approach by Microsoft” and that it’s confident that “healthy competition and an open Windows ecosystem will have a positive effect on users’

online security.” The company has agreed to withdraw the complaints it lodged with antitrust authorities in the EU and Russia.

The changes will be introduced as part of the upcoming Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, due to arrive in September.