Submissions using Windows 10, version 1607 and Windows Server 2016 are now being accepted!
Published Mar 12 2019 07:13 AM 1,401 Views
Copper Contributor
First published on MSDN on Aug 02, 2016

Submissions covered by Windows 10, version 1607


The Windows Hardware Lab Kit (HLK) has been updated to support Windows 10, version 1607 and Windows Server 2016.

The HLK is available for download on the Hardware Dev Center:

HLK version 1607 enforces the Windows 10 hardware requirements and polices posted at https://aka.ms/compatreq and is designed for testing the following Windows 10 and Windows Server releases:

  • Client version 1607

  • Client version 1511

  • Client version 1507

  • Windows Server 2016


New Features in the HLK


This release of the HLK introduces two new features to the infrastructure:

Exporting failed HLK jobs

Failed jobs can now be exported and re-run on a machines that are not connected to an HLK controller, enabling driver developers to easily diagnose and fix issues that cause the HLK test to fail. This feature supports all tests running on Desktop and Server operating systems except for multi-machine or manual tests.

Improved ability to diagnose failed HLK tests

If an HLK test fails due to a system crash on the client under test, there is now an eye-catching indicator (sad smiley face icon) in the Results tab. The information that is displayed will be the Bugcheck summary from the associated Bug Check along with a link to the HLK help file for debugging information. This feature supports tests running only on Desktop and Server operating systems.

Errata fixes and Expiration date


110 errata were fixed and are set to expire on 10/31/2016. Please open a CSS case for any errata that needs further investigation. All other errata have been reviewed and have been set to expire on 7/1/2017.

Playlists to support the incremental Windows releases


As Windows 10 continues to evolve with new features, there is an increasing need to differentiate the incremental versions of Windows 10 within the HLK. HLK version 1607 incorporates OS metadata to aid in determining which Windows 10 version is presently attached and which tests should target the specific version identified. These incremental identification changes are also reflected in the playlist for the HLK version 1607. There will now be two playlists available to support the incremental Windows 10 releases; one playlist is to be used with the HLK version 1511 and the other for HLK version 1607. In order to successfully test for Windows 10 compatibility and Windows Server 2016 certification, you will need the latest available Windows Hardware Compatibility Program Playlist for the correct OS version under test.

Both playlists are available here:

Compatibility Policy for Windows 10, version 1507/Windows 10, version 1511 drivers Factory-Installing on Windows 10, version 1607 image


Per Windows Hardware Compatibility Policy, all partners must transition to HLK version 1607 and use the HLK version 1607 Compatibility playlist no later than October 31, 2016. After this date, logs from HLK version 1511 and corresponding playlist will no longer be accepted for Compatibility submissions.

You must continue to use the Windows Hardware Certification Kit (HCK) version 2.1 to certify hardware for following operating systems:

  • Windows 7

  • Windows 8

  • Windows 8.1

  • Windows Server 2008 R2 (x64)

  • Windows Server 2012

  • Windows Server 2012 R2


For the first 90 days after the release of Windows 10, version 1607, OEMs looking to achieve Compatibility for systems shipping Windows 10, version 1607 may factory-install drivers for components that achieved Compatibility with Windows 10, version 1511. After 90 days, OEMs looking to achieve Compatibility for systems shipping Windows 10, version 1607 can factory-install only drivers for components that achieved Compatibility with Windows 10, version 1607. This is not applicable to OEMs certifying for Windows Server 2016, as all components within the system must be certified for Windows Server 2016 in order to be considered compatible.

Submitting test results for Windows 10, version 1607


As previously mentioned, submissions for Windows 10, version 1607 must be done using HLK version 1607. One important item to remember is that if you are submitting results for Windows 10 version 1607, the results must be packaged for submission using a controller with HLK version 1607 installed. If a controller with HLK version 1511 is used to package and submit results for Windows 10, version 1607, the submission will fail due to the data in the package not being in the correct format. Submissions affected by this will appear to be stuck in the Validating HCK/HLK Submission Package step. We will monitor for this scenario and reach out to partners with affected submissions. A controller with HLK version 1607 installed can be used to submit results from previous kits (HCK/HLK).

OEM down level system testing for Windows 10


OEMs looking to achieve compatibility for systems shipping Windows 10, version 1511 must continue to use HLK version 1511 to achieve compatibility for Windows 10, version 1511 until the OS version 1607 is required to be factory installed on systems.
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‎Mar 12 2019 07:13 AM
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