driver development Archives

Winsage

May 23, 2026

Windows 11 26H1: Microsoft’s driver changes target platform, WLAN, storage, and GPU debugging

Microsoft has refreshed its driver documentation for Windows 11 version 26H1, focusing on enhancements within the driver ecosystem rather than user-centric features. The Windows Driver Kit 10.0.28000.1839, released on May 4, 2026, is designated for driver development on this version and supports Visual Studio 2026. Networking drivers have been updated to support WPA3 Compatibility Mode Security, with an upgraded WiFiCx TLV parser and the removal of outdated WDI datapath definitions. The storage driver stack now accommodates SD Ultra Capacity (SDUC) for cards exceeding 2 TB and up to 128 TB. In graphics, kernel header definitions for GPU Process Debug Blob Collection have been introduced, and static analysis integration has been intensified with updated CodeQL suites. These updates aim to prepare the driver base for future hardware demands and improve driver quality and compatibility.

Winsage

May 19, 2026

Microsoft aims to bring the Windows driver ecosystem back into step

Microsoft has launched its Driver Quality Initiative (DQI) at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) 2026, aimed at improving the quality, reliability, and security of drivers in the Windows ecosystem. The DQI is built on four pillars: expanding quality measures for driver development, improving driver lifecycle management, enhancing Windows driver architecture, and fostering ecosystem collaboration among partners. The initiative includes a focus on strengthening kernel mode drivers for better security and reliability. Pavan Davuluri, President of Windows and Devices, has highlighted a commitment to addressing customer pain points and improving system performance and user experience. The DQI is part of a long-term strategy to enhance the Windows experience.

Winsage

May 14, 2026

Microsoft Announces Driver Quality Initiative for Windows

Microsoft has launched the Driver Quality Initiative (DQI) to improve the quality and reliability of drivers for its Windows platform. This initiative focuses on enhancing driver development and management, influenced by insights from the Windows Resiliency Initiative. The DQI is based on four pillars: Architecture, Trust, Lifecycle, and Quality measures. Microsoft plans to invest in kernel mode drivers, transitioning third-party kernel mode drivers to user mode drivers or Microsoft-authored class drivers. The initiative aims to improve driver lifecycle management and expand metrics for assessing driver quality, including stability, functionality, performance, and power impact. Feedback from partners has been positive regarding the initiative's approach to driver quality metrics and lifecycle states. Microsoft aims to enhance reliability, security, performance, compatibility, and overall quality in the Windows ecosystem.

Winsage

May 14, 2026

Raising the bar together. Introducing the Driver Quality Initiative at WinHEC 2026

The Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) 2026 took place in Taipei, marking Microsoft's return to the event after a hiatus since 2018. The conference focused on the Driver Quality Initiative (DQI), aimed at improving driver quality, reliability, and security on the Windows platform. The DQI is built on four pillars: Architecture, Trust, Lifecycle, and Quality Measures. Key themes discussed included the importance of collaboration among stakeholders, enhancing Windows 11 quality, and fostering innovation through strong foundational practices. Attendees participated in workshops and hands-on labs to deepen their understanding of driver development and compatibility testing. Partners expressed a shared commitment to improving driver and platform quality, emphasizing the need for transparency and ongoing engagement. Microsoft plans to continue investing in reliability, security, performance, compatibility, and quality in collaboration with its partners.

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.