Microsoft Virus Initiative
The Microsoft Virus Initiative (MVI) helps organizations improve the security solutions our customers rely on to keep them safe. We provide tools, resources, and knowledge to support better-together experiences with great performance, reliability, and compatibility.
Microsoft collaborates with MVI partners to define and follow Safe Deployment Practices (SDP) to support the safety and resiliency of our mutual customers. Microsoft also engages MVI partners in the development of new platform capabilities to create highly available security solutions building on the foundational security features in Windows 11.
Become a member
You can request membership if you're a representative of an organization that develops antimalware technology. Not all applicants are accepted into the program.
To be considered for the MVI program, your organization must meet all the following requirements:
- Your commercially available security solution must provide real-time protection that detects, prevents, and remediates malicious software.
- Your organization is responsible for both developing and distributing updates to end-customers that address compatibility with Windows.
- Your organization must be active in the antimalware industry with a positive reputation, shown by participation in industry conferences, membership in industry organizations, or reviews in reports like AV-Comparatives, OPSWAT, or Gartner.
- Your organization must sign a non-disclosure agreement with Microsoft.
- Your organization must sign a program license agreement.
- Your organization must be active in the program and meet all program requirements.
- Your security solution must meet all program requirements, which requires use of Trusted Signing.
- Your security solution must be certified within the last 12 months by at least one of the organizations listed below through independent testing. Yearly certification must be maintained.
| Test Provider | Lab Test Type | Minimum Level/Score |
|---|---|---|
| AV-Comparatives | Real-World Protection Test or Malware Protection Test | Certified/Approved/Standard |
| AV-Test | Real-World Protection Test for MVI, AV-Test | 97% (Real-World Protection test for MVI)/Certified (AV-Test Home)/ Approved (AV-Test Enterprise) |
| SE Labs | Endpoint Security (EPS) or Enterprise Advanced Security (EAS) | AAA |
| SKD Labs | Starcheck Anti-malware Real-time protection and cleaning | Starcheck Certified |
| VB 100 | VB100 | Detection rate of 95% with Grade C or higher |
| West Coast Labs | WCL Validated for Malware Detection and Malware Remediation technologies | Product Rating A |
Apply now
If your organization meets these criteria and is interested in joining, apply for membership now. Applications are reviewed monthly.