The next-generation driver model, the Microsoft Windows Driver Foundation (WDF), contains a framework for the creation of user-mode drivers. The User-Mode Driver Framework (UMDF) provides a unified model that can work across device classes. This framework integrates the installation and management of the devices with standard operating system facilities, such as Plug and Play (PnP) and power management.

The UMDF is designed to support protocol device classes such as cameras and portable music players. Moving drivers for such devices into user mode can simplify the drivers and improve the overall stability of the operating system.

The UMDF is based on the same conceptual driver programming model as the Kernel-Mode Driver Framework (KMDF), which is also part of WDF. However, the two frameworks implement the model with different components, device driver interfaces (DDIs), and data structures.

The UMDF contains a library that you can use to develop user-mode drivers. The library is included in the Windows Vista version of the Windows Driver Kit (WDK). You can use the library, and the WDK, to develop drivers that run on Windows Vista and Windows XP with Service Pack 2. You cannot use the UMDF library to develop user-mode drivers that run on Windows Server 2003 and Windows 2000. You can use the library that is included in the Windows Server 2008 version of the WDK, and the WDK, to develop drivers that run on Windows XP with Service Pack 2, Windows Vista with Service Pack 1, Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1, and Windows Server 2008. For more information about the UMDF versions that are supported by specific operating systems, see UMDF Version Information.

The following topics introduce the UMDF: