Display drivers that run on Windows Vista and later can be written according to either the Windows Vista and later display driver model (WDDM) or the Windows 2000 Display Driver Model (XDDM). Display drivers written according to the Windows Vista and later display driver model run only on Windows Vista and later, while display drivers written according to the Windows 2000 display driver model run on Windows 2000 and later, which includes Windows Vista and later. However, to take advantage of new Windows Vista and later software and hardware features, you must write your display drivers according to the Windows Vista display driver model.

The following sections describe the Windows Vista display driver model:

Introduction to the Windows Vista and Later Display Driver Model (WDDM)

Installing Display Miniport and User-Mode Display Drivers

Installing Display Drivers Optimized for Windows 7 and Later

Initializing Display Miniport and User-Mode Display Drivers

Windows Vista Display Driver Threading and Synchronization Model

Video Memory Management and GPU Scheduling

User-Mode Display Drivers

Monitor Drivers

Multiple Monitors and Video Present Networks

Tasks in the Windows Vista Display Driver Model

Debugging Tips for the Windows Vista Display Driver Model

Implementation Tips and Requirements for the Windows Vista Display Driver Model

Note   The Windows Vista and later display driver model does not use services of the Graphics Device Interface (GDI) engine; therefore, the GDI section is not relevant to writing display drivers for the Windows Vista and later display driver model.

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Build date: 5/20/2012