End of Support for Endpoint Security Exploit Prevention content updates on Windows Server 2008 and Vista

Technical Articles ID: KB94926
Last Modified: 9/23/2021

Environment

McAfee Endpoint Security (ENS) Threat Prevention 10.x
Microsoft Windows Vista
Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft Windows Server 2008
Microsoft Windows Server 2003

Summary

Microsoft announced that they’ll only provide WHQL signing for drivers that are compiled with the /CETCOMPAT flag after September 24, 2021. The /CETCOMPAT flag is available only on Visual Studio 2019, and on Windows 7 / Windows Server 2008 R2 and later. This change causes the kernel drivers within ENS Exploit Prevention to no longer be compatible with legacy Microsoft Windows operating systems.

Due to this change, McAfee Enterprise can no longer provide driver signing on the following operating systems:

Windows Server 2008 (SP1 and SP2)
Windows Server 2003
Windows Vista
Windows XP

NOTE: This change doesn't affect Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 7 SP1, and later operating system versions. These versions will continue to receive ENS Exploit Prevention content through their respective standard and extended support periods, where applicable.

This change will begin with the October 2021 ENS Exploit Prevention content update. This change doesn’t affect the functionality of ENS Exploit Prevention with existing content. Systems running any of the impacted operating system versions can no longer receive new ENS Exploit Prevention content updates. Future attempts to update ENS Exploit Prevention content on the impacted operating system versions results in a failure to update due to the incompatible operating system.

Solution

McAfee Enterprise recommends upgrading the operating system to the latest available supported operating system versions to benefit from the latest software developments, security enhancements, and to avoid interruption of product support.

Related Information

McAfee Enterprise has previously announced that standard product support for Windows 7/Server 2008/Server 2008 R2 operating system platforms will be End of Life on December 31, 2021. For more information, see: KB91432 - Support for Windows 7/Server 2008/2008 R2 after January 2020.

Windows Vista has been End of Life from McAfee Enterprise since January 25, 2007. McAfee Enterprise has considered Windows XP End of Life since 2014, and Windows Server 2003 as End of Life since 2015.

For product lifecycle details, see the Product and Technology Support Lifecycle page.

For End of Life (EOL) policy details, see the Corporate Products EOL policy.

Definitions:

EOL period—The time frame that runs from the day McAfee Enterprise announces product discontinuation, until the last date that McAfee Enterprise formally supports the product. In general, after the EOL period is announced, no enhancements are made.
EOL date—The last day that the product is supported, according to the terms of the McAfee Enterprise standard support offering.

Affected Products

End of Life Notices
Endpoint Security Threat Prevention 10.7.x
Endpoint Security Threat Prevention 10.6.x

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Knowledge Center

End of Support for Endpoint Security Exploit Prevention content updates on Windows Server 2008 and Vista

Environment

Summary

Solution

Related Information

Affected Products

Languages:

Glossary of Technical Terms

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Knowledge Center

End of Support for Endpoint Security Exploit Prevention content updates on Windows Server 2008 and Vista

Environment

Summary

Solution

Related Information

Affected Products

Languages:

Glossary of Technical Terms

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