Microsoft's recent decision to retire the Windows Device Metadata and the Windows Metadata and Internet Services (WMIS) marks a significant shift in how hardware devices integrate with the Windows operating system. This move, effective from May 2025, signals the end of an era that began with...
device drivers
device management
device management tools
devicemetadata
driver updates
hardware compatibility
hardware information
hardware integration
microsoft announcements
microsoft windows
oem documentation
system modernization
tech news
windows 11
windows development
windows ecosystem
windows operating system
windows security
windows update
wmis retirement
Microsoft is moving decisively into the future of Windows compatibility and driver certification with a series of significant updates announced this May. This wave of improvements isn’t just a footnote tucked away in technical documentation but marks a notable shift in the company’s approach to...
bluetooth le audio
device management
devicemetadata
driver certification
driver testing
enterprise it
generation 2 vms
hardware certification
hardware compatibility program
hardware vendors
hlk
microsoft windows
post-metadata era
vhlk
virtual machine support
whcp
windows compatibility
windows hardware lab kit
windows tech updates
windows update
The recent announcements from Microsoft regarding enhancements to hardware and driver compatibility testing in Windows 11 version 24H2 and Windows Server 2025 mark a significant shift in how device makers and developers approach certification for modern Windows platforms. As the company phases...
compatibility testing
device drivers
devicemetadata
driver signing
driver testing
hardware certification
hardware compatibility
hardware development
hlk
microsoft certification
microsoft updates
security and trust
vhlk
virtualization
whql
windows 11
windows ecosystem
windows hardware
windows platform
windows server
The evolution of Windows operating systems often brings not only new features for end users but also significant changes behind the scenes, particularly impacting hardware compatibility and driver certification processes. Microsoft's most recent announcements regarding Windows 11 version 24H2...
bluetooth le audio
device drivers
devicemetadata
driver certification
driver development
driver signing
generation 2 vms
hardware compatibility
hardware labs
hardware testing frameworks
hlk
microsoft
tech community
vhlk
virtual hardware
virtualization testing
windows 11
windows compatibility program
windows server
wmis
Major changes are on the horizon for Windows hardware driver development—a shift poised to impact not only device manufacturers and IT professionals, but millions of end users as Microsoft undertakes a significant revamp for the next generation of Windows 11. With the recent announcement...
certificate authority
device compatibility
device drivers
device management
devicemetadata
driver certification
driver development
driver lifecycle
driver security
driver signing
hardware compatibility
hardware drivers
hardware industry
hardware integration
hardware support
inf files
it management
microsoft windows
oem drivers
oem support
pre-production drivers
system administration
system compatibility
windows 11
windows community
windows ecosystem
windows platform evolution
windows security
windows update
wmis
wmis deprecation