MC332870: Upcoming Microsoft Defender for Endpoint package (Mac) will include Python 3

On Feb 18th, Apple will be retiring Python version 2.7 and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint package (MDE) (Mac) will include Python 3. When macOS 12.3 rolls out, Python will no longer be pre-installed on macOS by default.

Note: MDE (Mac) has several dependencies on Python. If your organization does not use macOS you can safely disregard this message.

How this will affect your organization

To address Apple’s decision to remove Python from macOS versions 12.3+, MDE (Mac) package will soon include Python 3 for all supported macOS versions. As a result, MDE package size will grow by ~40MB. Python 3 will take extra ~300MB of disk space post-installation if not previously installed on the device.

Upcoming via the Message Center, we’ll share MDE (Mac) version number that will include Python 3.

What you need to do to prepare

No action is needed but you might want to update your training and documentation as appropriate.

Learn more

Apple is removing Python 2.7

Message ID: MC332870
Stay Informed
Published: 15 February 2022
Updated: 15 February 2022
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