What is Microsoft WHQL Certification?

This certification is a way that customers can be sure that a certain level of (successful) testing with Windows operating systems was done on the software, firmware, or drivers which they get from a company. The certification doesn't change the way the software actually works, except that during installation certain warning messages are supressed.

Where the certification logo mentions one particular operating system, (e.g., Windows XP), it means the WHQL certification only applies to that operating system. It does NOT mean that the software won't work with other operating systems!

To quote Microsoft ("Windows Logo Program")

• "All components install and uninstall properly and do not interfere with other system components.
• Each component interoperates well with other system components.
• All components function normally after the operating system is upgraded to Windows XP or any later version of the operating systems for which the system or component carries the logo."

Microsoft also says

• "The user is assured that a product that has the Windows Logo will be stable when running under the operating systems listed on the Windows Logo carried by that product or listed in the Windows Catalog.
• The user can easily begin and complete component installation or removal. Installing and using a component that has the Windows Logo will not cause the system to stop working, or otherwise disrupt Windows or other Logo’d software running on the computer.
• The user’s overall experience with the computer system and the operating system is the same or better after upgrading to a new Windows operating system."

N101598.asp Jan. 31, 2006