Action Center Changes (Upcoming) Changes For Security Vendor Software

Through partner outreach, work with ISVs since October 2007 helped them get ready for the final transition to this new interface. As a result, the old API is removed from the Windows 7 RC. Users who are running security software that does not use the newer API will see the "non-compatible" message shown below from the new Action Center, which instructs customers to contact their security software provider.

The work is going on in partnership with Independent Software Vendor (ISV) community to move the ecosystem to a set of new Application Programming Interface (APIs) that many ISVs use to report status to Security Center (integrated within Action Center in Windows 7). The interfaces are used by many anti virus, antispyware and firewall programs. The interface changes were introduced in Windows Vista SP1. These new APIs supersede the ones originally shipped in Windows Vista. From the release of Vista SP1, its jointly established with the security ISVs an 18 month grace period where both the old and the new interfaces could be used. After the 18 month grace expires, a security application using the older interface will cause the Windows Security Center system tray icon to indicate a warning. In addition, the Security Center control panel will display a " is on but is reporting its status to Windows Security Center in a format that is no longer supported. Use the program's automatic updating feature, or contact the program manufacturer for an updated version" warning message, a sample screen shot is included below. The grace period begins at the time Vista SP1 is installed on a Windows Vista System. As a result, the grace period will begin expiring in September 2009, 18 months after Windows Vista SP1 was released on the Microsoft Download Center in March 2008.


Although a "non-compatible" message may be received from security software, it should continue to work and help protect your system even though it is not able to report its status through the Action Center UI.

If anyone encounter this message today on Windows 7 or in the future on Windows Vista, its better to check with the software vendor to see if they have an updated version software available. Many of the partners already have products that use the new APIs and the other have committed to having compatible versions by the end of the Windows Vista grace period and for Windows 7. Having the latest, compatible software from security vendors will help ensure that system remains protected.