Windows Hardware Lab Kit

11/02/2018

3 minutes to read





In this article

The Windows Hardware Lab Kit (Windows HLK) is a test framework used to test hardware devices for Windows 10 and all versions of Windows Server starting with Windows Server 2016. To qualify for the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program, your product must pass certain tests using the Windows HLK.

This guide provides information about the tests that are included in the Windows Hardware Lab Kit, and instructions on how to build a test environment, automate driver and system testing, and create a submission package required to participate in the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program.

If you’re developing for Windows 10 or qualified versions of Windows Server, you must use the correct version of the HLK, as listed in the following table. Using the correct kit helps you ensure that the drivers and the system you develop are certified as compatible with Windows 10 or Windows Server.

Note Certify using the Virtual HLK (VHLK)! The VHLK is the entire Hardware Lab Kit pre-installed and pre-configured on a VHDX, ready to boot as a virtual machine. Use the VHLK to save setup time, quickly stand up a controller, and run Windows Hardware Certification from a virtual machine.

Note Windows HLK only supports testing on Windows 10, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2019 systems. For testing previous versions of Windows, use the Hardware Certification Kit for Windows 8.1.

Windows Hardware Compatibility Program

To qualify for the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program, your product must pass certain tests using the Windows HLK. For guidance on which kit to use for compatibility certification, see the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program and the Windows Hardware Certification Blog.

Important Certification for Windows Server 2016, Azure Stack, SDDC, and later versions of these programs and qualifications must meet the Windows Hardware Compatibility Requirements as stated in the respective version of the documentation; must use the corresponding version of the HLK with matching playlist and supplemental content to generate logs; and must follow policies as stated in the Windows Server Policy document. Questions about the Azure Stack, SDDC programs, or how to submit the results for solution validation should be directed to the appropriate Microsoft technical account manager or partner management contact.

Download Windows Hardware Compatibility playlist

Get the official Windows Hardware Compatibility playlist so you can run the Windows HLK tests that ensure your hardware meets the requirements for compatibility with Windows 10 and Windows Server.

Watch the WinHEC video on HLK Playlists to learn more.

Download Windows HLK Filters

When there is a problem in either a Windows HLK test or in the operating system itself that causes certification tests to fail incorrectly, we create an errata that allows partners to bypass the problematic test. Most errata use filters to automatically filter the failure from the submission results. Filters are applied within Windows HLK Studio.

Download Windows HLK Supplemental Test Content

Supplemental Content for Media, Graphics, Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF), and Private Cloud Simulator Tests

Supplemental test content downloads are required for some tests related to graphics, media, and mean time between failures (MTBF). Download these files to complete Windows HLK testing in these areas.

Required downloads for tests that use supplemental content:

Media

Graphics

Note Starting with Windows HLK, version 2004, the HLK_GRFX_FOD package is no longer needed for Graphics testing. It is still required for testing previous versions of Windows (Windows 10 , versions 1909 and earlier).

Mobile

Download HLK Offline Documentation

This documentation is also available in .chm format for offline use.