WHQL Testing
Encyclopedia
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. The procedure may also include Microsoft running their own tests on a wide range of equipment, such as different hardware and different Microsoft Windows
editions.
For device driver
s passing the WHQL tests, Microsoft creates a digitally signed
certification file that, when included in the driver installation package allows installation on 64 bit versions of Windows
and prevents 32 bit versions of Vista and all versions of Windows XP
from displaying a warning message that the driver has not been certified by Microsoft (see Windows XP screenshot on the right).
New since June 2007 is the requirement of an Audio Fidelity Test equipment (Audio Precision SYS-2722-A-M) for System Submissions.
A company can choose to sign their own drivers rather than go through the WHQL testing process. These drivers would not qualify for the "Certified for Windows" logos, but they would install on 64 bit versions of Windows and install without a warning message on 32 bit versions of Windows Vista or Windows 7. However, it will not install without a warning message on Windows XP.
Some device drivers that have passed the WHQL tests are also made available for download using Windows Update
.
When Windows XP detects a new device, for which it does not have built-in drivers, it will show a
Found New Hardware Wizard (see screenshot on the right). The only way to avoid the Found New Hardware Wizard from popping up on Windows XP is by pre-installing a WHQL certified driver before the device is plugged in.
The WHQL testing fee Microsoft requires is USD $250 per operating system family. This fee covers both 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) versions, if submitted simultaneously, and is non-refundable. The fee does not include other expenses, such as a Windows Server 2008 x64 license, necessary for running WHQL tests, and a VeriSign certificate, necessary for submitting test results.
Sometimes there is ambiguity over who is responsible for providing drivers, and who they are supported by. This is the case for industry standard devices which are used much more broadly than the PC platform, but for which Microsoft does not supply the drivers. For example there are no WHQL Bluetooth (stereo) headsets.
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...
's testing process which involves running a series of tests on third-party 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...
or software
Computer software
Computer software, or just software, is a collection of computer programs and related data that provide the instructions for telling a computer what to do and how to do it....
, and then submitting the log files from these tests to Microsoft for review. The procedure may also include Microsoft running their own tests on a wide range of equipment, such as different hardware and different Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
editions.
Overview
Products that pass the WHQL tests get to use a "Certified for Windows" logotype, which certifies that the hardware or software has had some share of testing by Microsoft to ensure compatibility. The actual logo used depends on the version of Microsoft Windows.For device 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....
s passing the WHQL tests, Microsoft creates a digitally signed
Digital signature
A digital signature or digital signature scheme is a mathematical scheme for demonstrating the authenticity of a digital message or document. A valid digital signature gives a recipient reason to believe that the message was created by a known sender, and that it was not altered in transit...
certification file that, when included in the driver installation package allows installation on 64 bit versions of Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
and prevents 32 bit versions of Vista and all versions of Windows 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...
from displaying a warning message that the driver has not been certified by Microsoft (see Windows XP screenshot on the right).
New since June 2007 is the requirement of an Audio Fidelity Test equipment (Audio Precision SYS-2722-A-M) for System Submissions.
A company can choose to sign their own drivers rather than go through the WHQL testing process. These drivers would not qualify for the "Certified for Windows" logos, but they would install on 64 bit versions of Windows and install without a warning message on 32 bit versions of Windows Vista or Windows 7. However, it will not install without a warning message on Windows XP.
Some device drivers that have passed the WHQL tests are also made available for download using Windows Update
Windows Update
Windows Update is a service provided by Microsoft that provides updates for the Microsoft Windows operating system and its installed components, including Internet Explorer...
.
When Windows XP detects a new device, for which it does not have built-in drivers, it will show a
Found New Hardware Wizard (see screenshot on the right). The only way to avoid the Found New Hardware Wizard from popping up on Windows XP is by pre-installing a WHQL certified driver before the device is plugged in.
The WHQL testing fee Microsoft requires is USD $250 per operating system family. This fee covers both 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) versions, if submitted simultaneously, and is non-refundable. The fee does not include other expenses, such as a Windows Server 2008 x64 license, necessary for running WHQL tests, and a VeriSign certificate, necessary for submitting test results.
Sometimes there is ambiguity over who is responsible for providing drivers, and who they are supported by. This is the case for industry standard devices which are used much more broadly than the PC platform, but for which Microsoft does not supply the drivers. For example there are no WHQL Bluetooth (stereo) headsets.