Other than the largely refined UX and UI adjustments and enhancements, each new model of Home windows usually comes with a number of under-the-hood upgrades, and drivers are a kind of. For instance, with Home windows 11 24H2, Microsoft launched WDDM model 3.2 and with it got here new options like improved AV1 help and higher driver crash administration.

In the meantime, the corporate has additionally determined to drop a number of the legacy options like Gadget Stage, one thing that was actually huge again within the day of Home windows 7.

Though Microsoft has not but disclosed the driver-related function set that can land on Home windows 11 25H2, the corporate this week introduced an replace to its driver testing particularly for Home windows 11 25H2.

The corporate has up to date the static evaluation necessities for Home windows driver certification for the “upcoming Home windows launch.”

For many who might not be acquainted, the Home windows {Hardware} Certification Program (WHCP) has two primary verification checks for {hardware} drivers. Static checks the driving force code, code path, and the like, with out executing the driving force, whereas Dynamic testing does the identical, besides when it’s operating on the system.

Microsoft says that Home windows 11 25H2 third-party drivers should cross the Static Instruments Emblem Check that runs them via CodeQL earlier than driver deployment with a view to adjust to WHCP. GitHub’s CodeQL is a static evaluation engine utilized by builders to carry out safety inspections on code outdoors of a stay surroundings.

The transfer is part of Microsoft’s Safe Future Initiative, and elevated utilization of CodeQL was one of many issues on its agenda record; thus, Microsoft now requires kernel-mode driver submissions to cross the Static Instruments Emblem Check earlier than WHCP certification. Within the weblog put up, Microsoft has listed the conditions that the take a look at wants to fulfill:

Earlier than operating the up to date static evaluation checks, guarantee the next elements are in place:

1. CodeQL CLI v 2.22.1 or higher
2. Microsoft Home windows Drivers CodeQL Question Pack model 1.6.0 or higher
3. Driver supply code

You could find extra info within the weblog put up right here on Microsoft’s official Tech Group web site.