Forum Discussion
Cannot Access Windows Hardware Developer Program in Partner Center — How to Sign Drivers in 2025?
Hi all,
I'm trying to sign a Windows driver and need access to the Microsoft Windows Hardware Developer Program.
**What I'm trying to achieve:**
- Sign a driver for Windows using the standard Microsoft hardware signing process.
**The issue:**
- When I try to register for the Windows Hardware Developer Program, I get a message saying "Hardware Program is already in Active state".
- However, when I go to Programs > Settings in Microsoft Partner Center, the Hardware Developer Program is NOT visible/available.
- I have Global Admin permissions, and I’ve also tried using an account with Owner permissions — no difference, the Hardware Program is missing from the list.
**My question:**
- How do I get access to the Windows Hardware Developer Program if it's "Active" but not visible in the Partner Center?
- Is there any way to manage or join the Hardware Program in 2025 if it's not listed?
- Is there an alternative process for signing Windows drivers now? Any up-to-date guidance for 2025 would be super helpful.
Any advice or escalation contacts would be highly appreciated!
Thanks in advance.
6 Replies
I couldn't find where this discussion was moved, so am leaving a reply here. Had anyone that had this HDC access issue found a resolution? I've been trying to regain access to the Hardware Developer Center to have drivers signed since mid-October 2025 without success. The login for the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP) just redirects to the Partner Center, so that doesn't offer an alternate entry point. We don't have any visibility into the Hardware Developer Center despite be enrolled and successfully completing multiple driver submissions over the years. We've tried multiple tickets with Partner Center Support, MS 365 Support, and various Partner Escalation email accounts. Everything so far has gotten dead-ended without resolution. I'd really appreciate any advice the community has to offer! -Ryan
I ran into the same issue. Did you manage to get it resolved? I tried submitting a support ticket, but it always routes me to the AI assistant and I can’t get it through. This has been troubling me for a month now.
If the Hardware Developer Program shows as active but isn’t visible in Partner Center, it’s likely a UI/permission sync issue. You should contact Microsoft Partner Center support to have the enrollment reviewed and the program made visible on your account.
For 2025 driver signing, you can also use the Windows Hardware Dev Center dashboard via a supported account, or submit drivers through the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP) if your Partner Center access remains problematic. There’s no supported way to bypass Partner Center for official driver signing.
Maybe I can write to support somehow to cancel this program from one account and start it again from the Owner account. If it is possible, I think it can help me.
- JillArmourMicrosoft
Community Manager
I am moving your post to our windows board in hopes someone can help you there. Thank you for being part of the community! - jill
I'm having the same problems, but I can't contact support. The AI assistant keeps looping me back to the beginning and tells me to contact Microsoft Support because my hardware dashboard is apparently blocked or hasn't been properly enabled yet.
Is there a solution for this yet, or is there a human contact person available?
