For the past two and a half years Microsoft has focused so much on its latest Windows 10 operating system that the older Windows versions must be feeling like they were created by Apple or something... It appears that the company is finally back to its old form, taking care of all the operating systems until they are out of support. The Redmond software giant announced today that it's bringing its Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) to Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1.
The announcement would surprise more than a few looking at how Microsoft has basically said "move ahead to Windows 10 or don't expect any kind of security from us" multiple times in the past two years. However, this move would also be appreciated by more than just a few.
Microsoft announces Windows Defender ATP for Windows 7 and 8.1
The Windows Defender ATP has become a part of Microsoft's strategy to keep its hands on most of the business world. A paid-for cloud-based Enterprise service, Windows Defender ATP enables administrators to monitor and respond to threats across a network. The company calls it "a unified endpoint security platform that helps stop breaches". The service uses machine learning to identify threats across a network and offers alerts and suggestions to respond to those threats.
With less than two years to go for Windows 7 extended support, businesses will be able to benefit from Windows Defender ATP starting this summer. The operating system is currently on extended support, along with Windows 8.1. Microsoft wrote that while Windows 10 is the most secure Windows ever built, the company understands (a little too late?) that many businesses are in their transition and "may have a mix of Windows 10 and Windows 7 devices in their environments".
- The exact date of release hasn't been shared yet; more details are available over at Microsoft.
