In July 2024, a massive CrowdStrike update triggered a critical bug that crashed over 8 million Windows PCs into Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) loops, grounding more than 7,000 flights and causing global disruption. But this wasn’t just a one-off software failure. It revealed a deeper vulnerability in how Windows handles kernel-level access compared to macOS.
Why did this happen on Windows but not on Mac? The answer lies in how Apple uses DriverKit to block third-party software from injecting code into the Mac kernel, reducing the risk of system-wide crashes from security apps. Meanwhile, Windows still allows deep kernel access to third-party tools like antivirus software, including Microsoft’s own Windows Defender.
So why doesn’t Microsoft adopt Apple’s model? The answer: antitrust law. Because Microsoft ships its own cybersecurity tools inside Windows, the EU and other regulators prevent the company from locking down the kernel. Otherwise, it would give Microsoft an unfair advantage.
In this video, we break down the technical and legal reasons behind this major security design difference between Windows and Mac.
#technology #cybersecurity #technews #windows #microsoft #apple
