Microsoft Virus Initiative

The Microsoft Virus Initiative (MVI) helps organizations develop better-together security solutions that are performant, reliable, and aligned with Microsoft technology and strategy.

Become a member

Note

The MVI Program is not currently accepting new applications for membership but will reopen for new member applications on June 1, 2023. Please contact MVI@microsoft.com for more information.

You can request membership if you're a representative for an organization that develops and produces antimalware or antivirus technology.

To qualify for the MVI program, your organization must meet all the following requirements:

1. Your security solution either replaces or compliments Microsoft Defender Antivirus.

2. Your organization is responsible for both developing and distributing app updates to end-customers that address compatibility with Windows.

3. Your organization must be active in the antimalware industry and have a positive reputation, as evidenced by participation in industry conferences or being reviewed in an industry-standard report such as AV-Comparatives, OPSWAT, or Gartner.

4. Your organization must sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with Microsoft.

5. Your organization must sign a program license agreement. Maintaining this license agreement requires that you adhere to all program requirements for antimalware apps. These requirements define the behavior of antimalware apps necessary to ensure proper interaction with Windows.

6. You must submit your app to Microsoft for periodic performance testing and feature review.

7. Your solution must be certified through independent testing by at least one industry-standard organization, and yearly certification must be maintained.

Test Provider	Lab Test Type	Minimum Level / Score
AV-Comparatives	Real-World Protection Test https://www.av-comparatives.org/testmethod/real-world-protection-tests/	"Approved" rating from AV Comparatives
AV-Test	Must pass tests for Windows. Certifications for Mac and Linux aren't accepted https://www.av-test.org/en/about-the-institute/certification/	Achieve "AV-TEST Certified" (for home users) or "AV-TEST Approved" (for corporate users)
ICSA Labs	Endpoint Anti-Malware Detection https://www.icsalabs.com/technology-program/anti-virus/criteria	PASS/Certified
SKD Labs	Certification Requirements Product: Anti-virus or Antimalware http://www.skdlabs.com/html/english/ http://www.skdlabs.com/cert/	SKD Labs Star Check Certification Requirements Pass >= 98.5% with On Demand, On Access and Total Detection tests
VB 100	VB100 Certification Test V1.1 https://www.virusbulletin.com/testing/vb100/vb100-methodology/vb100-methodology-ver1-1/	VB100 Certification
West Coast Labs	Checkmark Certified http://www.checkmarkcertified.com/sme/	"A" Rating on Product Security Performance
SE Labs	Protection, Small Business or Enterprise EP Protection Test https://selabs.uk/en/reports/consumers/	Protection A rating or Small Business EP A rating or Enterprise EP Protection A rating

Apply now

If your organization meets these criteria and is interested in joining, apply for membership now.