driver development Archives

Winsage

January 18, 2026

Windows 11 25H2 quietly brings behind-the-scenes upgrades across Wi-Fi and audio via new drivers

The upcoming Windows 11 25H2 version introduces enhancements focused on drivers for Wi-Fi, audio, storage, and other hardware components. Only Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) can implement these updates, and not all PCs will support them initially. Key improvements include enhanced Wi-Fi performance for users with Wi-Fi 7 adapters, which will improve compatibility and reduce connection failures in enterprise environments. Microsoft is also addressing "audio not found" errors, particularly for users of SoundWire and SDCA, with updated drivers that enhance multichannel audio support. All SDCA drivers are now integrated into Windows 11, reducing the chances of audio hardware failures. The update primarily targets enterprise users, with no specific consumer features. Windows 11 25H2 has begun its wide-scale rollout.

Winsage

September 5, 2025

Microsoft shows slow progress on Rust for Windows drivers

Developers can now access enhanced tools and sample code for Rust in Windows driver development, although achieving production readiness remains challenging. Rust crates are available for creating Windows 11 drivers using frameworks like WDM, KMDF, and UMDF, but developers must still use unsafe blocks when interacting with the OS, which limits Rust's safety advantages. The WDF team is working on safe Rust abstractions to reduce unsafe code reliance, and there are efforts to integrate Rust into the Windows kernel, with some progress noted in the Windows 11 24H2 release. A cargo extension called cargo-wdk is being developed to aid Rust driver development, with future updates planned for ARM64 support and automated processes. The current state of the project is not recommended for production use, as indicated by its GitHub repository, but developers can experiment with it while following Microsoft driver signature procedures. Analysis using GitHub's CodeQL tool, which now supports Rust, is required for this process, although the latest validated version for the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program is 2.21.4. Microsoft Research announced plans to use Rust for memory safety in 2019, and in 2022, Azure CTO Mark Russinovich advocated for moving away from C/C++ in favor of Rust for new projects. The deployment of a Windows driver written in Rust is becoming increasingly feasible.

Winsage

August 1, 2025

Nvidia confirms end of Game Ready driver support for Maxwell and Pascal GPUs — affected products will get optimized drivers through October 2025

Nvidia will cease new Game Ready driver development for Maxwell, Pascal, and Volta-based GPUs after a final driver release in October 2025. These GPUs will receive quarterly security updates until October 2028. The GTX 10-series, particularly the GTX 1080 Ti, remains popular in the gaming market, while GTX 9-series cards are becoming rare. Ray-tracing technology is increasingly required in new games, but Pascal and earlier GPUs cannot utilize DLSS effectively. However, Pascal users can use Intel's XeSS DP4a model for AI-powered upscaling in compatible titles. Nvidia will provide Game Ready drivers for supported cards on Windows 10 until October 2026, despite Microsoft's end-of-support for the OS on October 14.

Winsage

July 21, 2025

Microsoft Enhances Windows 11 with Real-Time Performance Logging

Microsoft Corporation has introduced a new feature in Windows 11 that allows users to automatically submit real-time performance logs through the Feedback Hub to report slow or unresponsive behavior. This feature, released in a recent Insider test build, aims to streamline problem reporting for users in the Windows Insider Programme and enhance the collection of diagnostic information. Microsoft has faced criticism regarding inconsistent performance in Windows 11 since its launch in October 2021 and has implemented various updates to improve system performance. Additionally, the upcoming 25H2 update will require developers to conduct static analyses on their drivers before certification to enhance system stability and performance.

Winsage

July 21, 2025

Windows 11 update lets users submit real-time logs for sluggish performance: Report

Microsoft has introduced a new diagnostic data collection system in Windows 11 to address performance issues, allowing users to submit real-time performance logs through the Feedback Hub. This update is part of a broader strategy to improve the operating system's responsiveness and reliability, responding to user complaints about performance since the launch of Windows 11 in October 2021. Enhancements have been made throughout 2023, with the upcoming 24H2 release improving performance on older devices and the anticipated 25H2 update expected to continue this trend. Additionally, developers will now be required to conduct static analysis on drivers before certification to enhance system stability.

Winsage

June 10, 2025

Microsoft Employee Working On SteamVR Driver To Revive Windows MR Headsets

A Microsoft employee is developing a native SteamVR driver called "Oasis" to revive Windows Mixed Reality (MR) headsets, which lost functionality after the Windows 11 24H2 update eliminated support for these devices. The previous runtime that allowed Windows MR headsets to interface with SteamVR is now obsolete. Matthieu Bucchianeri, a software developer with experience at Sony and SpaceX, is leading this project, which involves deep reverse-engineering. The Oasis driver is currently compatible with Nvidia GPUs, and Bucchianeri is in talks with AMD for potential compatibility. He plans to release the driver for free in the fall.