Rivals reckoned Vista would put users at risk from Internet nasties because independents were being stopped from developing products to keep the malicious hackers and virus writers at bay.

However, Microsoft has now agreed to provide code so that other firms can create security add-ons, the BBC reported.

Earlier this month, we reported how McAfee took a full-page advert in the Financial Times, highlighting its concerns about the way Vista’s release was being handled.