A year ago, I wrote a piece about the CrowdStrike outage that took out 8.5M Windows PCs and triggered millions of blue screens laid bare a stark reality: decisions and concessions made 15 years ago – intended to promote competition – have lingering consequences in today’s AI-driven computing world. Since then, a number of improvements have been made
1. Kernel Access and Its Legacy
Access to the Windows kernel enables deep security tooling, but also increases risk. While Microsoft previously attempted to limit kernel access (notably in 2006), regulatory agreements like the 2009 EU settlement – kept the kernel open.
2. The Windows Resiliency Initiative
In late 2024, Microsoft launched the Windows Resiliency Initiative to strengthen system reliability and shield users from mass outages. It includes:
- Quick Machine Recovery: administration tools now enable remote remediation via the Recovery Environment for unbootable machines.
- Self-defending kernel and safer driver controls: the system can detect and prevent faulty or malicious kernel actions.
3. Reducing Kernel Dependency
Microsoft is actively working with partners and ISVs including CrowdStrike, Sophos, and Trend Micro to shift security workloads into user space.
- A new user-mode API framework, now in preview, ensures antivirus and EDR tools run without kernel code.
- The preview rollout with partners is underway, scheduled for wider availability by July 2025.
4. VBS Enclaves in Play
Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) enclaves are emerging as an effective kernel-safe alternative. Supported on Windows 11 Build 26100+ and Windows Server 2025+, several vendors are piloting enclave-based solutions to shield sensitive operations.
5. Vendor Accountability
Microsoft has elevated partner testing and telemetry via the Microsoft Virus Initiative (MVI). Security vendors must now prove compatibility and resilience before deployment – and Microsoft tied vendor compliance into its internal engineering metrics
6. Ecosystem Coordination
In 2024, Microsoft hosted summits that included Microsoft kernel architects, vendors, and regulators. These open forums facilitate collaboration and ensure security professionals are aligned with platform design.
Moving Forward
The CrowdStrike incident triggered a foundational shift that frankly should have happened a lot earlier. With the Windows Resiliency Initiative, user-mode API framework, VBS enclaves, and stronger vendor governance, Microsoft is proactively building system resilience. Key challenges remain, namely vendor adoption and regulatory evolution must match technological acceleration in the AI era.
This is not just digital transformation; it’s continuous transformation – essential for secure, reliable progress.
These are my personal views and may not reflect those of my prior employers.
