Driver Test Manager
Encyclopedia
The Windows Hardware Certification Kit (formerly called the Windows Logo Kit) (WLK) is a test automation
framework provided by Microsoft
to certify devices for Windows.
It provides automated scheduling and execution of the driver
tests that hardware
vendors are required to pass in order to qualify to use the Microsoft Designed for Windows Logo
. It also enables users to automate driver tests they have created themselves. These tests can be mixed and matched with the Logo tests provided by Microsoft
to create a custom test pass, which enables organizations to use the DTM to validate drivers
in any way they see fit.
, XP
, 2003
timeframe there was an old tool Hardware Compatibility Test (HCT) to certify devices. When Windows Vista
was released the tool was replaced by Driver Test Manager (DTM) which can certify drivers for all then-supported platforms. At that time DTM was part of Windows Driver Kit (WDK). Later DTM was separated from WDK and changed to its current name, Windows Logo Kit. For Windows 8, the name was changed to Windows Hardware Certification Kit, as announced at the //Build/ conference.
Test automation
Test automation is the use of software to control the execution of tests, the comparison of actual outcomes to predicted outcomes, the setting up of test preconditions, and other test control and test reporting functions...
framework provided by Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
to certify devices for Windows.
It provides automated scheduling and execution of the driver
Device driver
In computing, a device driver or software driver is a computer program allowing higher-level computer programs to interact with a hardware device....
tests that hardware
Computer hardware
Personal computer hardware are component devices which are typically installed into or peripheral to a computer case to create a personal computer upon which system software is installed including a firmware interface such as a BIOS and an operating system which supports application software that...
vendors are required to pass in order to qualify to use the Microsoft Designed for Windows Logo
WHQL Testing
Windows Hardware Quality Labs testing or WHQL Testing is Microsoft's testing process which involves running a series of tests on third-party hardware or software, and then submitting the log files from these tests to Microsoft for review...
. It also enables users to automate driver tests they have created themselves. These tests can be mixed and matched with the Logo tests provided by Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
to create a custom test pass, which enables organizations to use the DTM to validate drivers
Device driver
In computing, a device driver or software driver is a computer program allowing higher-level computer programs to interact with a hardware device....
in any way they see fit.
History
During the Windows 2000Windows 2000
Windows 2000 is a line of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, business desktops, laptops, and servers. Windows 2000 was released to manufacturing on 15 December 1999 and launched to retail on 17 February 2000. It is the successor to Windows NT 4.0, and is the...
, XP
Windows XP
Windows XP is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops and media centers. First released to computer manufacturers on August 24, 2001, it is the second most popular version of Windows, based on installed user base...
, 2003
Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2003 is a server operating system produced by Microsoft, introduced on 24 April 2003. An updated version, Windows Server 2003 R2, was released to manufacturing on 6 December 2005...
timeframe there was an old tool Hardware Compatibility Test (HCT) to certify devices. When Windows Vista
Windows Vista
Windows Vista is an operating system released in several variations developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs...
was released the tool was replaced by Driver Test Manager (DTM) which can certify drivers for all then-supported platforms. At that time DTM was part of Windows Driver Kit (WDK). Later DTM was separated from WDK and changed to its current name, Windows Logo Kit. For Windows 8, the name was changed to Windows Hardware Certification Kit, as announced at the //Build/ conference.
See also
- InquisitorInquisitor (hardware testing software)Inquisitor is a software suite used for hardware diagnostics, stress testing, certification and benchmarking platform. It is available in 3 formats:...
— free/open-source hardware testing framework. - WHQL TestingWHQL TestingWindows Hardware Quality Labs testing or WHQL Testing is Microsoft's testing process which involves running a series of tests on third-party hardware or software, and then submitting the log files from these tests to Microsoft for review...
— Windows Hardware Quality Labs testing.