The people behind the popular Kaspersky security software are accusing Microsoft of purposefully disabling third-party security software. Kaspersky Labs has taken its complaints to the European Commission. The issue stems from what happens when users update to a newer build of Windows 10. Sometimes, when there’s a major update like the Anniversary Update, Windows will uninstall third-party software that isn’t compatible with the new version of Windows and activate Windows 10’s built-in Windows Defender.
Folks who are helping to test drive Windows the upcoming Windows Creators Update had that happen this spring. Microsoft says it works hard with all third-party security vendors to make sure they are compatible with the latest updates and that 95% of antivirus applications had no issue with that new build for the creator’s update.
According to Microsoft, the antivirus apps that were disabled were only disabled to allow them to update to a newer version that would be compatible with the latest version of Windows. Rob Lefferts, a director in the Windows Security & Enterprise division said, “For the small number of applications that still needed updating, we built a feature just for AV apps that would prompt the customer to install a new version of their AV app right after the update completed. To do this, we first temporarily disabled some parts of the AV software when the update began. We did this work in partnership with the AV partner to specify which versions of their software are compatible and where to direct customers after updating. ”
He also pointed out that Windows encourages customers to stay secure and even reminds them when third-party security subscriptions are going to expire and makes no move to activate Windows Defender unless the subscription has already expired.
The folks at Kaspersky say Microsoft is trying to promote what Kaspersky considers an inferior product and that Microsoft doesn’t give Antivirus companies enough times to make their products compatible.
~ Cynthia
My problem deals with my control panel.. win10 32bit. There is no link to access the windows defender nor will it allow me to reach the main screen in the win 10 search box.. I have two active antivirus programs (IObit ultimate & win defender) I can not shut down win defender completely so I am forced to shut down the IObit when both start up. Is there a way to by-pass the usual steps in order to get into defender? I can’t find any way to do this because there’s no normal access to it. Thanks.
This is not immediately related to antivirus software, but I don’t have any other way to contact you ….
The nebbishes at MS have managed to disable themselves, along with the other people’s software they manage to screw up. After the June 14 update, the Microsoft installer service is gone. I get error 1967(?), “Microsoft installer service cannot be accessed,” when I open Word 2010. First, I get a little window that says it the program is being configured. Then I get the error window about the installer service. The June 14 update lists a number of security patches for Office 2010. I think, without knowing for sure, it is trying to install the security patches but has eaten the installer. So far, the program will run after it goes through its abortive start-up. I researched this issue, and I think I can figure out how to fix it, but what the hell?? You can’t get rid of their updates but they don’t fix your machine for you after they have screwed it up!!! Way to go, monopoly! I really despise Microsoft.
Whatever happened to being backward compatible??? I have proprietary software that originated under Win 3, ran fine with 95, 98 and XP. The major part of it runs good with Win 7 but not all. Will only function with 64 bit machines in XP Mode. Have not even attempted Win 8 or 10. Instead have stocked up on spare 32 bit XP machines (no internet).