Submissions using Windows 10, version 1709 are now being accepted!
Published Mar 12 2019 07:15 AM 1,964 Views
Copper Contributor
First published on MSDN on Oct 17, 2017
The Windows Hardware Lab Kit (HLK) has been updated to support Windows 10, version 1709.

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

HLK version 1709 enforces the Windows 10 hardware requirements and policies posted at https://aka.ms/compatreq and is designed for testing Windows 10, version 1709.

Note: Starting with HLK version 1709, the HLK will support testing a single version of Windows 10. (Previous versions of the HLK supported testing multiple versions.)

The following  support scenarios will be accepted:
HLK versionWindows 10 versions supportedDevice/Component Submissions acceptedSystem Submissions accepted
1709 1709 – Client 1709 Client Device/Component 1709 Client Systems
1703 1703 – Client

1607 - Client
1703 Client Device/Component

1607 Client Device/Component
1703 Client Systems
1607 1607 – Client

1607 – Server, Azure Stack, SDDC

1511 - Client
1607 Client Device/Component

1607 Server Device/Component

1511 Client Device/Component
1607 Server Systems

When submitting a Windows 10, version 1709 HLK package for validation, you must use Windows 10, version 1709 build 16299 or newer on the test device. The submission will otherwise be rejected.

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

  • Windows 7

  • Windows 8

  • Windows 8.1

  • Windows Server 2012

  • Windows Server 2012 R2


You must continue to use the Windows Logo Kit (WLK) version 1.6 to certify for following operating systems:

  • Windows Server 2008 R2 (x64 and ia64)

  • Windows Server 2008 (x86, x64 and ia64)


Certification for Windows Server 2016, Azure Stack and SDDC must meet the Windows Hardware Compatibility Requirements as stated in version 1607 of the documentation, use the 1607 version of the Windows Server 2016 operating system and use HLK version 1607 build 14393 with matching playlist and supplemental content to generate logs and following the policies stated in the Windows Server Policy. Questions about the Azure Stack or SDDC program or how to submit the results for solution validation should be directed to the appropriate Microsoft contact – technical account manager or partner management contact.

Playlists to support the incremental Windows releases


With the change in the policy regarding which versions of Windows 10 the HLK will validate, it becomes important to note which tests are required with each kit. Playlists must match the HLK version used, not the Windows 10 version under test.

The required playlists pairing are:
HLK Kit versionArchitecturePlaylist
1709 X86 or x64 HLK Version 1709 CompatPlaylist x86_x64
1709 ARM64 Desktop* HLK Version 1709 CompatPlaylist ARM64

HLK Version 1709 CompatPlaylist ARM64_x86 on ARM64
1703 X86 or x64 HLK Version 1703 CompatPlaylist
1607 X86 or x64 HLK Version 1607 CompatPlaylist

*Testing ARM64 Desktop requires two playlists. Please see HLK client setup and testing guidance here for additional information.

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/dn914975(v=vs.85).aspx

All playlists are available at http://aka.ms/HLKPlaylist

Systems shipping Windows 10, version 1709 may ship with drivers that achieved Compatibility with Windows 10, version 1703 until February 1, 2018!


Partners looking to achieve Compatibility for systems shipping Windows 10, version 1709 may factory-install drivers for components that achieved Compatibility with Windows 10, version 1703. Historically, this has been limited to a 90-day period after the RTM of a Windows 10 version, however to support the transition to Universal Windows Drivers this Windows 10 release will allow this combination of OS and drivers until February 1, 2018.

The WHCP requirements for this release that articulate what is required of drivers to be in compliance with the Universal Windows Driver effort are:
RequirementEnforcement Date
Device.DevFund.Reliability.ProperINF Windows 10, version 1709 RTM
Device.DevFund.CDA.Application February 1, 2018
Device.DevFund.INF.DDInstall.CoInstallers February 1, 2018
System.Fundamentals.SignedDrivers.DigitalSignature February 1, 2018

It is recommended that drivers which are modified to align with the Universal Windows Driver effort retest using the HLK version 1709 kit to ensure there are no regressions as an outcome of the changes in the driver. For more information about Universal drivers please visit http://aka.ms/udriver .

Errata 26874 filter is available to mask the particular failures seen when testing a system and the latest errata filter package can be found at http://aka.ms/hlkfilters . This policy is not applicable to partners certifying for Windows Server 2016, as all components within the system must be certified for Windows Server 2016 in order to be considered compatible.

Certification for Windows Server 2016, Azure Stack and SDDC must meet the Windows Hardware Compatibility Requirements as stated in version 1607 of the documentation, use the 1607 version of the Windows Server 2016 operating system and use HLK version 1607 build 14393 with matching playlist and supplemental content to generate logs and following the policies stated in the Windows Server Policy. Questions about the Azure Stack or SDDC program or how to submit the results for solution validation should be directed to the appropriate Microsoft contact – technical account manager or partner management contact.

Submitting test results for Windows 10, version 1709


As previously mentioned, submissions for Windows 10, version 1709 must use HLK version 1709. Note that if you are submitting results for Windows 10 version 1709, the results must be packaged for submission using a controller with HLK version 1709 installed. If a controller with HLK version 1607 is used to package and submit results for Windows 10, version 1709, the submission will fail because the data in the package will not be 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 1709 installed can be used to submit results from previous kits (HCK/HLK).
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‎Mar 12 2019 07:15 AM
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