Microsoft has updated Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, its enterprise-level antivirus app, to provide native support for Apple Silicon, such as the M1 chip used in Apple’s latest Macs.
As reported by AppleInsider, Microsoft Defender was originally a Windows antivirus app that came to the Mac in 2019. The app is now available in an enterprise-level edition called Defender for Endpoint, and the newest release of this has been updated to support M1.
“We are thrilled to announce that Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on Mac now natively supports Apple’s M1 chip-based devices!” wrote Microsoft’s Helen Allas in a blog post. “The update will deliver our latest unified package that is designed to seamlessly work on M1-based and Intel-based Mac devices.”
“With the native M1 support, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on Mac no longer requires the Rosetta 2 emulator to function on M1-based Big Sur devices,” continued Allas. “After successfully deploying and activating the latest update, the on-device experience will remain unchanged.
“The Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on Mac agent will function on M1-based devices in the same way it functions on Intel-based Mac devices,” she said.
The new version will be available to Enterprise customers via the Microsoft AutoUpdate channel. Initially, it will be made available to devices that are set to receive beta and preview versions, but “over the course of the next several weeks,” the new version will roll out to all users.
