WDDM 1.2 installation scenarios

The Windows 8 installation graphics driver behavior is designed to ensure that, whenever possible, our customers get a graphics driver that has been tested and certified for Windows 8. This behavior is defined by the rules that are described in this section.

In this section

Topic Description

Windows 8 in-box graphics driver preferred

In this scenario, Windows 8 in-box graphics driver are preferred over Windows 7 or older graphics drivers.

Windows 8 in-box graphics drivers treated as generic drivers

In this scenario, Windows 8 in-box graphics drivers, including the MS Basic Display Driver (MSBDD), are all treated like generic drivers by Windows and Windows Update.

WDDM graphics driver migrated to Windows 8

When there is no Window 8 in-box coverage for the graphics hardware in a Windows 8 upgrade installation, a WDDM 1.1 or WDDM 1.0 graphics driver that was used by the previous version of Windows will be migrated to Windows 8.

XDDM drivers not supported for Windows 8

XDDM drivers are not supported for Windows 8 and will not install or run on Windows 8.