Windows 8 Hardware Certification Requirements (PDF)
Use these requirements to build and certify your Windows-compatible devices, systems, and filter drivers across all Windows platforms.
These Hardware Certification requirements are the result of collaboration with our partners and focus on customer scenarios. They are organized by feature and correspond to the tests validated in the Windows Hardware Certification Kit.
Online versions of the Windows Hardware Certification Requirements for client and server systems, devices, and filter drivers are also available.
A set of blackline versions, showing the delta from the original and each subsequent set of published requirements, is available from the link at the bottom of this page.
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Requirements: Current version downloads
Requirements: Blackline version downloads
About these downloads
By installing, copying, or otherwise using these downloads, you agree to be bound by the terms of the license agreement.
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Publication histoy
Downloads of Windows Hardware Certification Requirements were made available on the following dates:
| Requirements history | Change |
| September 18, 2012 | Updated Windows 8 terminology and branding. Technical update to a small number of requirements. |
| July 2, 2012 | Reformatted downloadable document for consistency with online version of the requirements. Technical update to a small number of requirements. Verified and updated external links. Edits to address minor discrepancies and requests for clarification. |
| May 9, 2012 | Updated list of applicable operating system for each requirement. Technical update to multiple requirements for Windows 8 Release Preview. Edits to address minor discrepancies and requests for clarification. |
| December 16, 2011 | Original publication |
Requirements: Current version downloads
The current, updated documents are available as downloads from this page.
Windows 8 System Requirements
Requirements for certifying Windows 8 systems.
File name: windows8-hardware-cert-requirements-system.pdf
2.036 MB
Updated: September 18, 2012
Adobe Portable Document Format file
Windows 8 Device Requirements
Requirements for certifying a stand-alone device (integrated or external).
File name: windows8-hardware-cert-requirements-device.pdf
5.94 MB
Updated: September 18, 2012
Adobe Portable Document Format file
Windows 8 Filter Driver Requirements
Requirements for certifying and signing Windows Filtering Platform drivers (WFP), file systems filter drivers, antivirus filter drivers, and Early Launch Anti-Malware (ELAM) filter drivers.
File name: windows8-hardware-cert-requirements-filter-driver.pdf
672 KB
Updated: September 18, 2012
Adobe Portable Document Format file
Requirements: Blackline version downloads
A set of blackline versions, showing the delta from the original and each subsequent set of published requirements, are available on the following page:
