Anti-malware Platform Support

Applies to: System Center Endpoint Protection (All Versions), Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010

Microsoft plans to release anti-malware platform updates once or twice per year through Microsoft Update (MU) to down-level operating systems (e.g. Windows 8.1 and below) running SCEP or FEP. Customers must stay current with the latest anti-malware platform update to be fully supported. Our support structure is now dynamic, evolving into two phases depending on the availability of the latest platform version.

• Security and Critical Updates servicing phase – When running the latest anti-malware version, you will be eligible to receive both Security and Critical updates to the anti-malware platform.
• Technical Support (Only) phase – After a new platform version is released, support for older versions (N-2) will reduce to technical support only. Platform versions older than N-2 will no longer be supported.*

*Technical support will continue to be provided for upgrades from the baseline version to the latest platform version.

NOTE: The platform updates for SCEP and FEP are published as follows: Category: Critical Updates, Product: Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010. Version 4.7 is the current baseline version for SCEP and FEP. Special MU detection logic and applicability rules are used to upgrade the baseline version directly to the latest platform version.

During the technical support (only) phase, commercially reasonable support incidents will be provided through Microsoft Customer Service & Support and Microsoft’s managed support offerings (such as Premier Support). If a support incident requires escalation to development for further guidance, requires a non-security update, or requires a security update, customers will be asked to upgrade to the latest platform version.

The version history table below will be updated as new platform updates are released.

(Platform versions older than N-2 are no longer supported.)