Driver Signing Guidelines for Independent Software Vendors in the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Logo Programs
Updated: July 15, 2008
Your company's quality assurance processes support testing driver functionality during the development phase. When the driver is complete, you can verify that your driver is compatible with Microsoft Windows and submit it to the Windows Logo Program for a digital signature.
Drivers that pass the tests for the Unclassified category in the Windows Logo Kit (WLK) qualify for a digital signature, driver distribution on Windows Update, and listing in the latest Windows Compatibility Center.
The Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Logo Programs for software have the following digital signature requirements:
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Kernel-mode software must be digitally signed to be loaded on x64-based versions of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, and must be signed by Microsoft for the Windows Logo Program (formerly known as "WHQL signature").
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Drivers that are loaded by the Windows operating system loader (boot-start drivers) must contain an embedded signature, for both x86-based and x64-based versions of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.
To test drivers by using the Windows Logo Program tests, follow these steps:
1.
Obtain a code-signing ID.
This ID is required for submitting your product to the Windows Logo Program, to ensure your organization is authentic and to secure transmission of drivers and test results to Microsoft.
2.
Establish a Winqual account.
You must have a Windows Quality Online Services (Winqual) account in order to submit drivers to the Windows Logo Program. Be sure to:
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Provide account administrators contact information.
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Sign the latest Windows Logo Program Testing Agreement and the latest applicable Logo License Agreement on the Winqual Web site.
You must have a Winqual account in order to access LogoPoint.
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Winqual Help includes more information about how to use LogoPoint to locate and review program requirements. See the LogoPoint section in the Help table of contents.
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The Unclassified category is described in LogoPoint in the requirement named POLICY-0021.
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Boot start drivers must be self signed with an embedded signature, as described in LogoPoint in the requirement named DEVFUND-0029.
The Windows Logo Kit page explains how to decide which version of the kit to use. It is usually best to use the latest version of the kit.
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The training videos and other documentation will help you prepare to set up and use the Driver Test Manager (DTM), which you will use in the next step to test your driver. You should take some time to review this material before attempting to test your driver.
Driver Test Manager (DTM) automatically detects the appropriate tests.
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Run all tests listed in DTM for your driver. If you want to qualify for multiple operating system families, you must test separately for each family.
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Subscribe to the Windows Logo Program Newsletter for updates in test policies and processes. Previously published editions are available in the archives.
7.
Solve test failures.
Use a systematic strategy for solving failures encountered during testing and in test logs:
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If a test results in a false failure for some reason, this is called an erratum. The Winqual Web site provides filters (called DTM filters or DTM errata filters) that eliminate these false failures in known cases. To get the latest filters, log on to the Winqual Web site with your account, navigate to Windows Logo Programs > Hardware > Create a Logo Submission, and click the WLK Updated Filters link.
Prepare your test submission for Winqual.
After all test failures have been fixed or clearly resolved by errata or contingencies, you are now ready to submit your test logs and driver packages to Winqual. You must submit separate packages for each operating system family. (Note: If you have followed the steps on this page, you already have a Winqual account so you can skip step 1 on the "Qualify: Getting Started" page that this link targets. Proceed directly to step 2 about creating Winqual submission packages.)
