Important News About BitDefender and Windows Vista SP1

If you use the Windows Vista operating system and the BitDefender virus scanner, I have some important information for you. If you're not careful, Windows Update could render your virus scanner useless, thanks to a compatibility problem that Microsoft wants to blame on BitDefender.

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 will disable both BitDefender Antivirus and Internet Security version 10, as well as Trend Micro Internet Security 2008. It will also take out the free firewall program called ZoneAlarm, but the makers of that program have already made a new version that will support Vista SP1.

If you are using any of those BitDefender versions, there is a solution. Thankfully, the maker of BitDefender, Trend Micro, has offered a free upgrade to its customers to ensure that their computer security is not compromised by Microsoft's Service Pack 1 update to Vista.

All you have to do is visit the following link on BitDefender's website and it will tell you what you need to do in order to update your software: http://kb.bitdefender.com/KB400-en--What-to-do-if-BitDefender-10-cannot-be-installed-on-Vista-SP1.html

Just make sure you have your BitDefender CD Key available, because it will ask for it when you install the new version. Also, the new version will continue your virus definition subscription from wherever the old one left off. For example, I had just under a year left of my subscription to BitDefender Antivirus Plus v10, and now my new version of BitDefender has the same amount of time.

The BitDefender software will not automatically upgrade itself for you, nor will it even let you know if you need to update. I know this requires a bit of work on the user's end, but it is still better than having nothing at all. BitDefender's site has some helpful information on how to install the newer version, should you need assistance.

Microsoft has caught a lot of flak over the Windows Vista operating system, and this whole BitDefender/ZoneAlarm thing is just another reason why so many people dislike it. What's worse is that both BitDefender and ZoneAlarm are two of the most popular programs in their class, meaning that thousands upon thousands of people are going to be affected by this update. Microsoft has since pushed backed the release date of SP1, most likely to fix this and other problems.

If you or anyone else you know is a BitDefender customer, please let them know that they must upgrade their software if they are using Windows Vista, otherwise it may not work at all after the Service Pack 1 update is rolled out.