Unclassified Signature Program
Updated: May 31, 2012
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The Unclassified Device Category Eligibility Requirements for Unclassified Devices and Drivers Approval Requirements for Unclassified Devices and Drivers Restrictions on Unclassified Devices and Drivers Windows Update and Windows Error Reporting Using the Unclassified Category Instead of an Applicable Defined Category Symbol Files for Unclassified Drivers
The Unclassified Device Category
Some devices do not fit into any defined device category in the current Windows Logo Program. The Unclassified category is designed to ensure that these devices and their drivers are compatible with the Windows operating system and can enhance the overall customer experience of their users.
For complete details and the latest updates for the Unclassified device category, see Windows Logo Program POLICY-0021 under Requirements and Policies.
Starting with Windows 8, the Unclassified category does not apply to the Windows Hardware Certification Program. Instead, these devices are called “Signature-only”. Signature-only allows for signing of the drivers and distribution on Windows Update , but the device does not receive the complete benefits of a certified product. For more information, see Windows Certification Program Policies and Processes.
Eligibility Requirements for Unclassified Devices and Drivers
The Unclassified category is a signature-only category. Devices and drivers that are approved in this category will receive a Windows logo verification report and a digital signature on the drivers, but cannot use the Windows logo artwork.
Filter drivers and other application drivers that are not associated with any device are eligible to test under the Unclassified category, but they receive the digital signature only if they install by means of an INF file. Devices that use drivers that ship with Windows can also be tested in the Unclassified category; however these devices will receive only the logo verification report.
A system that is submitted for logo program approval can use Unclassified devices or drivers only if there is no defined device category for that type of device. This rule applies for all Windows client and server operating systems.
Approval Requirements for Unclassified Devices and Drivers
Devices and drivers that are submitted under the Unclassified category must:
- Meet all applicable device fundamentals requirements, including any Windows Driver Foundation (WDF) requirements.
- Meet all device connectivity requirements for the connectivity types used by the device. Devices that use more than one type of connectivity bus must test successfully for all the applicable connectivity buses.
- Comply with all applicable Windows Logo Program policies, as published under Requirements and Policies.
- Pass the device fundamentals and device connectivity tests in the Windows Logo Kit, which test for basic reliability, stability, and compatibility.
- Be submitted by partners that are registered with the Windows Logo Program through the Windows Dev Center-Hardware Dashboard.
Restrictions on Unclassified Devices and Drivers
Devices and drivers that are approved under the Unclassified category are subject to the following restrictions:
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They cannot display Windows logo artwork, such as the Certified for Windows or Works with Windows artwork.
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They cannot use the same product name as a device or driver that was submitted and approved through a defined device category for the same operating system.
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They are not eligible for listing on the Windows Server Catalog or the Windows Logo’d Products List.
Windows Update and Windows Error Reporting
Drivers that are approved under the Unclassified category will be posted to Windows Update. However, Microsoft retains the right to remove any driver from Windows Update at its discretion.
Windows Error Reporting driver crash data for approved Unclassified drivers will be available on the Hardware Dashboard Reports Service.
Using the Unclassified Category Instead of an Applicable Defined Category
For Windows client operating systems only (such as Windows 7 or Windows Vista), partners can apply for a driver signature under the Unclassified category even if a device category is defined for that device or driver. However this approach can result in poor customer experience and Microsoft discourages it. Systems that use these devices or drivers cannot be submitted to the logo program for any operating system.
For Windows server operating systems (such as Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2), partners cannot apply for a driver signature under the Unclassified category if a device category is defined for that device or driver.
Symbol Files for Unclassified Drivers
We strongly recommend that partners submit the symbol files for their drivers when submitting the drivers under the Unclassified category. The symbol files help in the crash analysis. Especially for Unclassified devices, the absence of symbol files can result in incomplete or wrong analysis, causing the wrong driver to be blamed for a crash.
