The core of the Microsoft interactive input device architecture is based on the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard Device Class Definition for Human Interface Devices (HID), which is defined by the USB Implementers Forum, Inc. The USB HID standard defines the configuration and communication protocols for Human Interface Devices, such as keyboards, mouse devices, joysticks, and virtual reality devices, that humans use to enter data directly into a computer. (For detailed information about the USB HID standard, see the USB Implementers Forum Web site.)

Although the core of the Windows input architecture is based on the USB HID standard, the architecture is not limited to USB devices. The input architecture also supports serial port devices, i8042 port devices, and proprietary input devices.