Plug and Play - Architecture and Driver Support

Properly implemented, Plug and Play provides automatic configuration of PC hardware and devices. For modern versions of Microsoft Windows, the system and its firmware must comply with Advanced Configuration and Power Interface Specification (ACPI). The driver architecture for Windows supports comprehensive, operating system-controlled Plug and Play.

Plug and Play technologies are defined for IEEE 1394, PCI, PC Card/CardBus, USB, SCSI, ATA, ISA, LPT, and COM.

Each Plug and Play device must be uniquely identified, state the services it provides and resources it requires, identify the driver that supports it, and allow software to configure it.

ISA PnP Vendor IDs: For information about how to request a unique Vendor ID to use with legacy Plug and Play devices, see Plug and Play ID - PNPID Request.

Plug and Play General
White PaperInstalling Drivers and Utilities without Rebooting on Windows
Microsoft Powerpoint (.ppt)Developing Great Devices for Windows PCs [832 KB]
OtherSee Also: Presentations at WinHEC 2006

General Hot-Plug and Surprise Removal
White PaperHot-Add Memory Support in Windows Server 2003
White PaperHot-Plug PCI and Windows
White PaperWindows XP and Surprise Removal of Hardware

Plug and Play Specifications
Windows LogoIndustry Specification References for Windows Logo Program
White PaperClarifications to the Plug and Play ISA Specification [492 KB]
White PaperPlug and Play Design Specification for IEEE 1394 [662 KB]
White PaperPlug and Play External COM Device Specification [142 KB]
White PaperPlug and Play ISA Specification, Version 1.0a [1.0 MB]
White PaperPlug and Play Parallel Port Device Specification [40 KB]
White PaperPlug and Play SCSI Specification [467 KB]

PnP and Power Developer References
Windows LogoWindows Logo Program Requirements and Policies
Microsoft.comPower Management SDK
Microsoft.comWDK Online

See Also
White PaperMachine.inf Update Submission Procedure
White PaperPartial Address Decoding and I/O Space in Windows Operating Systems
White PaperRemoving Support for Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) Bus
WHDC Portal/NodalArchived White Papers
WHDC Portal/NodalDevice Connectivity
WHDC Portal/NodalPower Management and ACPI - Architecture and Driver Support
OtherPlug and Play IDs