Kaspersky withdraws complaints against Microsoft after Windows policy changes
Russian security company Kaspersky has announced that it is withdrawing all complaints against Microsoft. The decision stems from the Redmond company’s announcement of a number of changes to its Windows policies regarding antivirus products.
Microsoft writes that after a discussion with partners such as Kaspersky, it has come to the decision to make some changes. For example, it wants to work more closely with antivirus companies to ensure their products are compatible with new feature updates, such as the Anniversary Update. In addition, Microsoft wants to offer these companies more clarity about the planning of such updates, so that they have more time to test.
Microsoft also allows antivirus products to show themselves notifications in Windows about license expirations and changes the way Windows notifies users that a product has expired. For example, a notification is no longer shown that users can simply ignore, but the notification remains visible until a choice has been made. This can consist of renewing the license or explicitly choosing Windows Defender or another product.
Responding to the announcement, Kaspersky writes that “all these changes are aimed at improving the user experience with security products in Windows 10.” The company is “completely satisfied” with the changes and says it is taking the necessary steps to withdraw its complaints and inform relevant regulators that there are no longer any problems with Microsoft.
The Russian security company claimed late last year that Microsoft is abusing its dominant market position in the operating system market by forcing Defender on Windows users. Eugene Kaspersky wrote at the time that with a Windows 10 upgrade, Microsoft automatically deactivates existing av suites and installs Defender instead. Microsoft later said that it did deactivate third-party products, but it was necessary for compatibility reasons. That happened in June, two weeks after Kaspersky filed a competition complaint with the European Commission.