You can get a certificate far cheaper than that - K-Software offer them for $85/year.
I've used them for years and can recommend them.
I've used them for years and can recommend them.
The parent comment's issue is that EV certificates are essentially required due to the poorly-designed SmartScreen reputation filter. The $85/yr certificate you're mentioning doesn't help solve this.
I've never used an EV cert before for code signing. When we first started, I think Smartscreen was a nuisance for about 2 weeks, but years on, and I've never had to think about it again. Even when we've renewed the cert.
When you renewed the cert did you use the same key pair? (I'm wondering how does Microsoft correlate reputation).
The current code-signing-certificate model is pointless, regardless of price.
Having said that, Smartscreen is opaque, and a nuisance.