Notification of Discontinuance for the Windows 10 Compatibility artwork

[HWCert-Migrated]

First published on MSDN on May 16, 2017
Dear Valued Partners,

With the expansion of our Windows OS family we are changing the way we communicate compatibility with Windows, so you can simplify how you explain to your customers how your hardware and software works with Windows.

For any Windows compatible products, you can make factual references to express compatibility, including on your websites, product packaging and advertising, without the need for a Windows logo license. If your product is tested and confirmed to be compatible with only certain versions of Windows, then you should make that clear, for instance, “Compatible with Windows 10 Home, Pro and S.” Of course, as new versions of Windows are released, those would need to be tested and verified for compatibility to be listed in your compatibility messaging.

Given this approach, we are notifying you that we are discontinuing the use of our Windows Compatible logos and terminating the Windows Logo License Agreement for Hardware (2017) and Windows Logo License Agreement for Software (v 1.9), (together or separately the “Windows LLA”).  This will go into effect 60 days from today, after which time, you may no longer use the Windows Compatible logos.

To ensure your ability to use other Windows brand assets and Windows Iconography see https://omap.microsoft.com/ or contact your Microsoft Sponsor. We are currently working on a new Windows logo agreement. The new agreement will be available June 2017.

Assets available in OMAP for immediate usage:

• Windows consumer and commercial screenshots, Anniversary Update and Creators Update


• Windows Hello icon and badges


• Windows Ink icon and Badges


• Cortana icon and badges


• Multiple feature badges

We recommend that you update your product inventory and advertising materials as soon as possible.  However, the Windows LLA allows you to continue to sell off any existing inventory for 240 days from today.

And as you know, the following logo artwork has also been retired:

• Windows 8 Compatible Logo


• Windows 7 Standard Logo


• Compatible with Windows 7 logo

We value our partnership with you and we look forward to our continued work together. Below is an FAQ to help answer questions.

FAQ:

1. How do I express compatibility with Windows 10?

For any Windows compatible products, you can make factual references to express compatibility, including on your websites, product packaging and advertising, without the need for a Windows logo license. If your product is tested and confirmed to be compatible with only certain versions of Windows, then you can make that clear, for instance, "Compatible with Windows 10 Home, Pro and S." Of course, as new versions of Windows are released, those would need to be tested and verified for compatibility to be listed in your compatibility messaging.

1. Can I make my own compatibility statement using a "Microsoft" brand name?

Yes! If you have tested and confirmed compatibility, you may use Microsoft trademarks in plain text to refer to your products' compatibility with Windows. Please follow Microsoft's Trademark and Brand Guidelines available at: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/legal/IntellectualProperty/Trademarks/Usage/General.aspx . You may also, if accurate, indicate that your drivers are certified through Microsoft's Windows Hardware Compatibility Program.

1. Do I need to sign a new Windows Logo License Agreement?

We are currently working on a new Windows Logo License Agreement that will not contain the Windows 10 Compatibility logos but will contain other logos and brand assets.  We plan to make this available in June 2017. You do not need to sign the new agreement unless you will be using these other logos and brand assets.

1. Do I have to remove the logo artwork from the product in the warehouse or in channel?

We recommend that you update your product inventory as soon as possible. However, the Windows Logo License Agreement for Hardware (2017) and Windows Logo License Agreement for Software (v 1.9), (together or separately the "Windows LLA"), allow you to continue to sell off any existing inventory for 240 days from May 16, 2017.

1. What about advertisement or marketing that are on our Website, in stores, other?

We recommend that you update your marketing as soon as possible. However, any Windows Compatibility logo artwork in online advertisements or promotions should be removed within 60 days from the day Microsoft provided notice through the blog post of termination of the Windows LLA or no later than July 15, 2017.

1. How do I express Windows compatibility after I pass the HLK test?

We are currently working on a new vision to express Windows compatibility. If you have apps available in the Windows Store, you can use the 'Get it on Windows 10' Windows Store Badge. Details available at: https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/store/badges . Currently, we do not offer logo artwork to express Windows compatibility on the hardware products.

To understand details about the tests that are included in the Windows Hardware Lab Kit, and instructions on how to build a test environment, automate driver and system testing, and create a submission package required to participate in the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program, you can download the HLK User's guide from the following location:

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/dn939963(v=vs.85).aspx

1. What is HLK (Hardware Lab Kit)? Where do I obtain it?

The Windows Hardware Lab Kit (Windows HLK) is a test framework used to test hardware devices for Windows 10. To qualify for the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program, your product must pass certain tests using the Windows HLK. Details can be found in the HLK User's guide in the following location: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/dn939963(v=vs.85).aspx

1. If I have an account on Sysdev and an account on Dev Center, should I sign the legal agreements twice, once on SysDev and again on Dev Center?

Depends. The function of submitting driver and systems logs for review and signing using the HCK/HLK are now only available through Dev Center and submissions with the WLK remain in SysDev. Depending on what kit your companies submits will determine where you will need to sign the agreements.

Note: The Windows Logo License Agreement for Software provides access for partners to make legacy software logo submissions through SysDev.

1. Can you link the agreements between Dev Center and SysDev so I only have to sign once?

No. Unfortunately, these systems are different and we are not able to link agreements between Windows Dev Center and SysDev.