With support for Windows 7 ending in 2020, Microsoft plans to bring Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) to Windows 7 as well as Windows 8.1 starting this summer. Windows Defender ATP offers one security platform that helps to prevent network breaches before they start. Powered by Microsoft Azure, Windows ATP has endpoint detection and response built right into Windows 10, making it the most secure Windows yet.
As more and more enterprise customers continue to move from Windows 7 and 8.1 to Windows 10, Microsoft wants to make the transition as smooth as possible. So, Microsoft is adding Windows Defender ATP “down-level support” for Windows 7 and 8.1. Of course, users who want the full support of Windows Defender ATP will have to upgrade their machines to Windows 10.
Microsoft adds that the company is adding more insights for enterprise IT security teams.
“For Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, we are building a behavioral based EDR solution to give security teams rich insights into threats on their endpoints. All detections and events are surfaced in Windows Defender Security Center, the cloud-based console for Windows Defender ATP. Security teams benefit from correlated alerts for known and unknown adversaries, additional threat intelligence, and a detailed machine timeline for further investigations and manual response options.”
Microsoft notes that enterprise users can run third-party antivirus applications, alongside System Center Endpoint Protection (SCEP) for Windows 7 and 8.1. However, Windows Defender Antivirus provides users with better and more up-to-date security detection and protection in Windows 10. Windows Defender Antivirus is better equipped to identify malware and make the appropriate response to isolate the malware and prevent the malware from spreading.
