Hardware Design for Windows 7

Updated: May 5, 2009

Windows 7 builds on the security and user experience advances of Windows Vista and introduces breakthroughs in such areas as system performance and reliability, device connectivity and experience, and multiple-touch input. The innovations in Windows 7 provide opportunities for hardware vendors, system manufacturers, and driver developers to build next-generation products and services on the Windows platform.

On this page, we have collected current technical information about Window 7 for hardware engineers and driver developers, to help you take the best advantage of Windows 7 to drive your business forward.

Audio Design for Windows 7 and Windows Server R2
Windows LogoWindows 7 Audio Logo Changes  
White PaperHD Audio Guidelines for Windows  

Windows Biometric Framework
White PaperDesigning Windows Biometric Framework (WBF) Fingerprint Management Applications  
White PaperIntroduction to the Windows Biometric Framework (WBF)
White PaperWindows Biometric Framework: Code-Signing Guidelines

Windows Device Experience
ToolsMicrosoft Device Experience Development Kit  
White PaperDevice Metadata Package for Devices and Printers: Resource Roadmap  
White PaperDevice Metadata Package Pipeline  
White PaperDevices and Printers - Extensibility Guide  
White PaperDevices and Printers in Windows 7: Frequently Asked Questions  
White PaperHow to Create a Device Metadata Package for Devices and Printers  
White PaperMultifunction Device Support and Device Container Groupings in Windows 7  

Graphics and Windows 7
White PaperDisplay Guidelines for KVM Switches in Windows 7  
White PaperGraphics Guide for Windows 7  
White PaperWindows 7 Brightness Control for Integrated Displays

Media Devices and Windows 7
White PaperConnected Digital Picture Frames: Analysis and Specifications
White PaperDesign Guidelines and Considerations for Building Windows Certified Network Media Devices

Mobile Broadband Driver Development
White PaperMobile Broadband Driver Development
White PaperWindows 7 - Mobile Broadband Certification for Existing Chipsets

Mobile Broadband Connection Manager
White PaperMobile Broadband Connection Manager Development Guide  
Microsoft Powerpoint (.ppt)Connection Manager Integration with Mobile Broadband [1.6 MB]  
How to use the Mobile Broadband (MB) API to develop lightweight utilities and custom connection managers for Service Activation and APN-DB integration.

Portable Devices and Windows 7
White PaperGuidelines for Picture and Video Import in Windows 7  
White PaperWindows Portable Devices Automation API
White PaperWindows Portable Devices: Driver Development Guide
Microsoft.comWindows Portable Devices: Application Development Guide [MSDN]  

Printing and Windows 7
White PaperHow to Implement Compatible IDs in Printing Devices
White PaperWindows 7 Logo Program for Printers FAQ  

Protected Broadcast Driver Architecture
White PaperMigrating a BDA Solution to PBDA  
White PaperProtected Broadcast Driver Architecture (PBDA) Specification (Version 1.3.1)  

Windows Sensor and Location Platform
White PaperImplementing Light-Aware UI Using the Windows Sensor and Location Platform [1.5 MB]
White PaperIntegrating Ambient Light Sensors with Windows 7 Computers [174 KB]
White PaperIntroducing the Windows Sensor and Location Platform [177 KB]
White PaperVisual Variable Guidelines for Light-Aware UI  
Microsoft Powerpoint (.ppt)Windows 7 Sensor and Location Platform [WinHEC 2008; 4.4 MB]

Windows SideShow
White PaperCompelling Solutions for PC Gamers by Using Windows SideShow  
White PaperEnhancing the Television Experience by Using Windows SideShow  

Storage for Windows 7 and Windows Server R2
White PaperBus Type and SCSI Address Reporting for ATA Devices  
White PaperInternal and External SATA Port Configuration  
White PaperSATA Asynchronous Notification in Storage Miniport Drivers  

Tablet and Windows Touch
White PaperDeveloper Enhancements to Windows Touch and Tablet PC
White PaperDigitizer Drivers for Windows Touch and Pen-Based Computers
White PaperHow to Design and Test Multitouch Hardware Solutions for Windows 7
White PaperIntroduction to Windows Touch
White PaperWindows Touch Test Lab  
White PaperWindows Touch Test Lab Logo Certification Testing Procedure  

IEEE 1394 and Windows 7
White Paper1394 Bus Driver in Windows 7  

USB in Windows 7 and Windows Server R2
White PaperExposing Programs and Installing Drivers Using AutoPlay in Windows  
White PaperRequirement Clarifications For Windows Logo Kit USB-IF Certification  
White PaperUSB ContainerIDs in Windows 7  
White PaperUSB Migration Support for Windows 7 Upgrade Scenarios  

Power Management for Windows 7 and Windows Server R2
White PaperDeveloping Efficient Background Processes for Windows
White PaperMobile Battery Life Solutions for Windows 7: A Guide for Mobile Platform Professionals  
White PaperPower Availability Requests  
White PaperPower Policy Configuration and Deployment in Windows
White PaperReducing the Disk Footprint for Windows 7 Hibernation  
White PaperUsing PowerCfg to Evaluate System Energy Efficiency
White PaperWindows 7 Brightness Control for Integrated Displays
White PaperWindows On/Off Transitions Solutions Guide  
White PaperWindows Timer Coalescing

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 System Performance
White PaperMemory Sizing Guidance for Windows 7  
White PaperPerformance Testing Guide for Windows  
White PaperPerformance Tuning Guidelines for Windows Server 2008 R2  
White PaperUsing Hardware Performance Counters on Windows
White PaperWindows On/Off Transition Performance Analysis  
White PaperWindows On/Off Transitions Solutions Guide  

Multiprocessor Support in Windows 7
White PaperSupporting Systems That Have More Than 64 Processors

System Firmware for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2
White PaperFirmware Enhancements for PCs Running Windows 7  
White PaperFirmware Memory Corruption during Sleep Transitions  


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