All Windows Hardware Certification posts

Windows Hardware Compatibility Program - Guidance for Windows 11, version 24H2 Release

AndyW — Wed, 22 May 2024 19:48:50 GMT

To facilitate the release of Windows 11, version 24H2, and Windows Server 2025, the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program is set to accept submissions. The submission package must fulfill the prerequisites to guarantee compatibility between the operating system and the Hardware Lab Kit (HLK).

New Agreement - Please review and take action on the latest agreement update to avoid service interruption following the effective date of the new agreement.

Windows Hardware Compatibility Requirements – https://aka.ms/whcp

Submission Pre-requisites

OS and HLK minimum acceptable build:
- Windows 11, version 24H2 (Build 26100 or greater)
- Windows Server 2025 (Build 26100 or greater)

Playlist – https://aka.ms/hlkplaylist

The table below illustrates the required playlists for testing each processor architecture:

Target Architecture	Required Playlist(s)
Client (ARM64)¹	HLK Version 24H2 CompatPlaylist x64 ARM64.xml HLK Version 24H2 CompatPlaylist ARM64_x86_on_ARM64.xml HLK Version 24H2 CompatPlaylist ARM64_x64_on_ARM64.xml
Client (X64)	HLK Version 24H2 CompatPlaylist x64 ARM64.xml
Server (X64, ARM64)	HLK Version 24H2 CompatPlaylist x64 ARM64 SERVER.xml

¹For Client system-level x64 and ARM64 submission, the only playlist required is the HLK Version 24H2 CompatPlaylist x64 ARM64.xml

Please refer to the HLK Getting Started Guide for details on HLK client setup and playlist use.

Deferment of Partner Dev Center SBOM Validation

The WHCP requirement, for partner SBOM submissions alongside driver packages submitted to HDC, will be deferred at HDC. Partners will be given notice as soon as there is a set enforcement date during a future release, along with guidance on how to meet any new requirements.
WHCP continues to support a secure supply chain throughout our signing process. That said, the EO on Cyber Security is a call to action from the U.S. Government, so we continue to encourage that our partners seek to enable a secure supply chain as stated in the NIST guidance.

Device.DevFund.StaticTools Requirement

The Device.DevFund.StaticTools requirement applies to Windows 11 Client x64 and Windows Server x64.
Helpful information about how to use CodeQL and generate DVL files is available here - CodeQL and the Static Tools Logo Test - Windows drivers | Microsoft Learn

ACTION REQUIRED: New Agreement governing access to Hardware Dev Center

AndyW — Mon, 13 May 2024 17:07:36 GMT

We have updated the agreements on Partner Center for the Windows Hardware Program. We made these updates to clarify our terms and ensure that they are transparent, as well as to address usage of new logos.

All participants in the Hardware Program are required to have their authorized personnel review, acknowledge, and accept the agreements. New submissions will be blocked after August 14, 2024 until the agreements are accepted.

Partners who have accepted prior versions of the agreement via other means will still need to accept the agreement on Partner Center. For partners who have already been a part of the program, you will see the previous agreement, the Windows Logo License Agreement from 2021, has been renamed and is now listed in the Agreements section of Partner Center as "Microsoft Marks License Agreement (formerly Windows Logo License Agreement)" with the value in the Agreement column of Version 2021.

As a result, partners who previously accepted the Windows Logo License Agreement will see two entries in the Agreements section:

The new Microsoft Marks License Agreement, with Version 2024.
The previous Windows Logo License Agreement, now renamed to "Microsoft Marks License Agreement (formerly Windows Logo License Agreement)" with the value in the Agreement column of Version 2021.

Going forward, the four agreements listed below will govern your access to the Hardware Program. Legacy agreements will be deprecated.

· Code Signing Agreement

· Windows Hardware Compatibility Agreement

· Microsoft Marks License Agreement 2024 (New)

· Windows Analytics Agreement v2.0

If you encounter issues accessing the new agreements, please reach out to our support team. For details on how to contact support, see Get support for Partner Center dashboard issues - Windows drivers | Microsoft Learn.

Re: Pre-submission testing for UEFI submissions

LOGANATHAN_RANGANATHAN — Tue, 07 May 2024 12:08:58 GMT

For SHIM testing. Use the following package for EFI Shell.

Release 23H2 · pbatard/UEFI-Shell · GitHub

Re: Windows Hardware Compatibility Program Guidance for Windows 11, version 23H2

RajeshKrapa — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 10:44:29 GMT

Hi Team,

Is HLK controllers/studio versions available to run for Windows 11 24H2 ? If so could someone please help me with required information about downloads.

Thanks,

Rajesh

Re: Windows Hardware Compatibility Program Guidance for Windows 11, version 23H2

artykosty — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 20:17:18 GMT

I need to WHLK test storage filter driver (lower filter after disk.sys) and didn't find such product in the HLK Product Type Matrix.

How can I test my driver?

Thank you.

Re: Hardware certification submission fees update

zenix225 — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 16:46:56 GMT

REQUIRE MICROSOFT HARDWARE CERTIFICATION

Re: Now accepting Windows 11, version 21H2 submissions

Elvis1255 — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 18:32:21 GMT

Hello
A manufacturer's workstation that appears Certified for Microsoft Windows Hardware Compatibility Program – Client family version 21H2, x64 may mean that it is Microsoft Windows 11 Hardware Compatibility List?

Re: Windows Hardware Compatibility Program for Windows 11, version 22H2

Elvis1255 — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 18:27:31 GMT

Re: WHCP guidance for Windows 10, version 22H2

kadjo1895 — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 00:47:31 GMT

Re: Windows Hardware Compatibility Program testing for Windows Server 2022

VishwasAT — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 05:01:59 GMT

What are the configurations for Windows Server 2022 as client?

Re: Windows Hardware Compatibility Program Guidance for Windows 11, version 23H2

seula — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 00:19:11 GMT

Hi @Andy Wendel

I have a question about WHLK.
W11 23H2 OS has been released
W11 23H2 WHLK is issued as W11 22H2 when issuing a certificate after verification
Is it the intention of MS company?
Thank you very much for your confirmation.

Thank you

Re: Windows Hardware Compatibility Program Guidance for Windows 11, version 23H2

yahui1660 — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 01:24:37 GMT

Win11 Detect Malicious Software item test failed，prompt：0x00000000，

I tried reinstalling the system, but the test still failed. Is there a way to solve it?

Fail1Fail2Fail3

Re: Windows Hardware Compatibility Program Guidance for Windows 11, version 23H2

ratharos — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 21:58:39 GMT

ratha

Re: Windows 11 & Server 2022 HLK kit guidance for creating new submission packages for Windows 1

yulinsong — Sun, 29 Oct 2023 08:11:09 GMT

When I perform this test, I always prompt for failure：

Re: Windows Hardware Compatibility Program Guidance for Windows 11, version 23H2

mimimomo1982 — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 02:00:33 GMT

Hi Kevin,

You can download 23H2 playlist today. Hope this information is helpful.

Kelly

Re: Windows Hardware Compatibility Program Guidance for Windows 11, version 23H2

kevin_k_wang — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 06:09:51 GMT

When 23H2 new playlist can update?

Re: Windows Hardware Compatibility Program Guidance for Windows 11, version 23H2

dominopro22 — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 21:36:53 GMT

Windows HLK playlist – New HLK playlists will be available on the date of Windows 11, version 23H2 release, and can be found here.

Re: Windows Hardware Compatibility Program Guidance for Windows 11, version 23H2

mimimomo1982 — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 08:35:32 GMT

Dear SIr,

Can not see "HLK Version 23H2 CompatPlaylist x64 ARM64.xml " file in the following download link.

Windows HLK playlist – New HLK playlists will be available on the date of Windows 11, version 23H2 release, and can be found here.

Kelly

Windows Hardware Compatibility Program Guidance for Windows 11, version 23H2

AndyW — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 16:12:49 GMT

Microsoft is pleased to announce the release preview of Windows 11, version 23H2 annual feature update, which shares the same servicing branch and code base as Windows 11, version 22H2, and will be delivered via an enablement package (eKB). See Windows 11 Release information for more information on the annual feature update cadence.

In support of the annual feature update, the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP) will also release a Hardware Lab Kit (HLK) update to complement the feature updates within the Windows release. There is no plan to update the certification status issued by the HLK: the certification status that was used for the HLK for Windows 11, version 22H2, which is “Certified for Microsoft Windows 11 Client family version 22H2”, will continue to be used for this this HLK release for the Windows 11, version 23H2 update.

While there are no changes to WHCP or certification status, the updated HLK release with Windows 11, version 23H2 will be required when using Windows 11, version 23H2 to certify. Note, certifying for Windows 11, version 23H2 is optional.

Details

WHCP requirements – No change. Windows 11, version 22H2 requirements, remain the same for Windows 11, version 22H2 and the new 23H2.
Windows Hardware Lab Kit – For Submissions, HLK 22H2 to be used with Windows 11, version 22H2 and HLK 23H2 to be used with Windows 11, version 23H2
Driver signature – No change. Drivers that meet all the applicable Windows 11, version 22H2 requirements will be digitally signed with the same signature attributes.
WHCP qualification – No change. Qualification will be shown as Windows 11, version 22H2
Required OS version – Windows 11, version 22H2 or Windows 11, version 23H2.
WHCP Playlists – Please using the version matching HLK and playlist for the OS version

Windows 11, version 22H2 – HLK 22H2 and Playlist 22H2
Windows 11, version 23H2 – HLK 23H2 and Playlist 23H2
Differences is a total of 9 tests added to the “HLK Version 23H2 CompatPlaylist x64 ARM64.xml” playlist.

Windows HLK playlist – New HLK playlists will be available on the date of Windows 11, version 23H2 release, and can be found here.
Technology areas in HLK that took bug fixes:

Audio APO
Audio - Silicon and Pipeline
Bluetooth
Encoders

Re: Windows Hardware Compatibility Program for Windows 11, version 22H2

BrunoRamosdeMatos — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 18:57:26 GMT

Hello Everyone,

I hope this message finds you well.

I have recently assumed responsibility for the Windows hardware certification process of a driver developed by our company. I am striving to grasp some finer details pertinent to our unique case, relating to deploying the WHQL infrastructure, conducting driver tests, and submitting our driver

for certification. I would greatly appreciate any assistance or insights you could provide regarding the queries listed below:

We possess a Windows driver functioning as a service driver. Its primary role is to enable our client agent/connector to operate as a service, albeit in kernel mode. This service caters to ioctl requests coupled with a process ID, forwarded to our client agent/connector. Upon receiving this request, the service driver injects the process with our libintcore dll library. Essentially, the inception of this driver aimed to overcome a security limitation in earlier Windows versions that barred our client agent from process injection.

The previous certification of our Windows driver utilized an older certification method. However, I comprehend that the current approach necessitates deploying the WHQL infrastructure (comprising controller, studio, and test Windows clients). Despite having partial understanding of the new process, there are specific aspects I am still uncertain about:

Windows Versions Supported: Our software is compatible with all versions of Windows still receiving support from Microsoft, covering Windows Server, Windows 10, and 11. Is it obligatory to test and certify the driver for each individual build of Windows (e.g., Windows 10: 21H1, 21H2, etc.), or is certifying for the latest build of each OS version sufficient?
Category of Tests: Given that our Windows driver is of a software driver type, which category of tests should I administer?
Automation through CI/CD Pipeline: Has anyone here successfully implemented a CI/CD pipeline to automate the Windows Hardware Certification Process? If so, could you share your experiences or insights on whether or not this is feasible?

I am eager to learn from your experiences and would be thankful for any guidance or suggestions you can offer to assist me in navigating through this process efficiently and effectively.

Thank you for considering my queries. Looking forward to your valuable responses.

Warm Regards,

Bruno