Windows 7/8.1 Defender ATP Gains Support for Windows 10 Migrations

With less than two years left in the support lifecycle of Windows 7, Microsoft will soon offer customers Windows Defender ATP endpoint protection for that OS and Windows 8.1. This is in direct support of customer efforts with Windows 10 migrations and ensuring full support and coverage during these transitions.

Richard Hay, Senior Content Producer

February 13, 2018

2 Min Read
Windows Defender ATP Dashboard
Microsoft

Microsoft plans to support both Windows 7 and Windows 8 on Windows Defender ATP, adding Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) and supporting customers' active endpoints during Windows 10 migrations.

The implementation of EDR will allow organizations to gain insight into their Windows 7 and 8.1 endpoints and provide information on any security issues that might surface on those Windows 7 and 8 devices while an IT department continues their company's Windows 10 migrations. These insights will be available in the Windows Defender Security Center, a cloud portal for monitoring ATP.

Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) is built right into Windows 10 and security has been a built in component of the operating system since it was first released back in 2015.  Of course, it's built to work with Windows Defender, the security software included in all versions of Windows 10, but this implementation will support working with antivirus software from other companies. However, if a company wants to make the move to System Center Endpoint Protection and get Windows Defender ATP on its systems, it will enjoy a much richer detection and trigger experience for the alerts in Windows Defender Security Center.

Today’s news from Microsoft fits right alongside recent actions they have taken to extend the support of each feature update for Windows 10 to a full 24 month period – an additional six months – and in full support of companies as they work on their Windows 10 migrations.

When I spoke with Ami Casto from Adaptiva about the process for a business upgrade of Windows 7 to Windows 10, one of the key details was just how busy these organizations will be as they learn, plan, and execute Windows 10 migrations. Anything that helps streamline the management of a mixed environment of operating systems during that transition is going to be a tremendous help with that workload.

About the Author

Richard Hay

Senior Content Producer, IT Pro Today (Informa Tech)

I served for 29 plus years in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer in November 2011. My work background in the Navy was telecommunications related so my hobby of computers fit well with what I did for the Navy. I consider myself a tech geek and enjoy most things in that arena.

My first website – AnotherWin95.com – came online in 1995. Back then I used GeoCities Web Hosting for it and WindowsObserver.com is the result of the work I have done on that site since 1995.

In January 2010 my community contributions were recognized by Microsoft when I received my first Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award for the Windows Operating System. Since then I have been renewed as a Microsoft MVP each subsequent year since that initial award. I am also a member of the inaugural group of Windows Insider MVPs which began in 2016.

I previously hosted the Observed Tech PODCAST for 10 years and 317 episodes and now host a new podcast called Faith, Tech, and Space. 

I began contributing to Penton Technology websites in January 2015 and in April 2017 I was hired as the Senior Content Producer for Penton Technology which is now Informa Tech. In that role, I contribute to ITPro Today and cover operating systems, enterprise technology, and productivity.

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