Customers will continue to need security solutions even after the advent of Windows 8, and Microsoft is working with antivirus makers in order to ensure that their products will play nice with the next major iteration of the Windows client.
I already told you that the software giant was planning to broaden the Windows vNext terter pool, after I received confirmation from one of the top AV vendors worldwide which was expecting to take the successor of Windows 7 out for a spin this spring.
Part of the Windows 8 testing process will be an Early Engagement event reserved for antivirus makers.
Ankur Mittal managed to come across some details about the Early Engagement Anti-Virus Filter Event. The event’s page on Microsoft Connect can no longer be accessed, but a copy of the survey that AV vendors need to fill continues to be available via Google Cache.
“This event is by invitation only. It is open to a limited number of ISVs selected by Microsoft to help verify compatibility of third-party Anti-virus filter drivers with the next version of Windows. Before proceeding to complete this registration form, please note the following:
“Your company must receive an invitation email from Microsoft before completing this registration form. If you received an invitation, and your company is not listed under "Company Name" below, please contact fsfcomm at microsoft dot com.
“Due to space constraints, we ask that each company limits its participation to no more than two Developers representing one Anti-virus filter driver
This event is open to Anti-virus filter drivers only. Registrations submitted for other types of filter drivers will be declined.”
It does appear that the Early Engagement Anti-Virus Filter Event will be extremely exclusive. The software giant will supply participants with at least one workstation, and although it will consider offering more for those needing to test multiple products, the company doesn’t guarantee that it will be able to actually supply them.
Each workstation includes one target and one debugger machine, and it appears that the Redmond company will allow AV vendors to test potential incompatibility problems at least for their main security product ahead of Windows 8 hitting the Beta development milestone.
The software giant indicates that it will allow more companies beyond AV vendors to test their products on Windows 8 before the OS is finalized.
“Microsoft will plan to have a Filter Plugfest before the release of the next version of Windows. At Plugfest, we will be able to invite most Filter ISVs, and will be able to support most other classes of File Systems filter drivers,” the company said.
Source Softpedia