Windows 8.1 Preview Said To Be Incompatible With Antivirus Software

The past few months several security companies updated their antivirus software and security solutions to make them fully compatible with Windows 8, Microsoft’s latest operating system.

But with Windows 8.1 on the horizon, there always was a possibility that some security software may not work with the first upgrade to the OS. As things stand, it appears that most antivirus applications are incompatible with Windows 8.1.

Several users that have installed the Windows 8.1 Preview have confirmed on Microsoft’s official support forums that their antivirus software does not launch on Windows 8.1.

Names like Norton 360, Avast Antivirus and Micro Titanium Maximum Security Suite are on the list of applications that are not opening up in Windows 8.1.

Windows Defender, the built-in security application in Windows 8.1, however, is working fine. This program seem to be the only choice for users that want to take Windows 8.1 Preview for a spin — that is until security companies update their applications.

Since it comes preinstalled on all Windows 8.1 installations, and given how tightly it is integrated with the operating system, the processor and memory footprint of Windows Defender is usually minimal.

Nevertheless, now that the news is out, security firms are most probably working on the issue, and should soon pinpoint the problem and make their applications compatible with Windows 8.1 Preview. Expect a bunch of announcements in this regard soon.