It is not surprising that when you take a new Windows 11 computer and connect a monitor to the USB-C port, it is not surprising. It is often not enough for the port to look physically appropriate. In some devices, this port only serves as a charging function, while others offer data transfer or image support. It is often not possible to understand these differences for the user. Microsoft, Windows Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP) and aims to eliminate this uncertainty.
New rules defined under the WHCP make the minimum feature level in USB-C connections. Now, every USB-C port on a laptop with WHCP certified Windows 11 has to support basic functions such as charging, data and image transfer. In this way, users will not have to learn the functions of the port through trial and error. This integrity at the hardware and driver level will provide a more stable and predictable use experience.
USB-C technology has theoretically very high potential. It is among these potentials that it is able to transmit power up to 240 Watt, offers data speeds up to 80 GBPS and support external screens with the DisplayPort sub -mode. However, not all of these features are actively available on every device. This makes great differences in terms of functionality, even if the ports seem physically similar.
What the USB-C connection offers will be the same on every device
With the new WHCP requirements, Microsoft includes producer preferences. Now, the USB-C ports on all mobile systems have to have the support of DisplayPort sub-mode. In this way, users will not encounter problems such as not getting any images when any monitor connects. These connections, which are certified by Vesa, will provide higher stability in image transfer.
In addition, in all ports USB Power Delivery (USB PD) Support was made compulsory. This guarantees that all ports also offer fast and safe charging. In this way, it will be possible to charge the device through each port, and users will not have to question which port works. In addition, Microsoft’s necessity of its own driver infrastructure will enable security updates to reach more regularly and smoothly.
In higher level devices, these requirements are expanded further. In systems with USB-C ports with 40 GBPS and 80 GBPS supported, PCIe tunnel support is compulsory. This allows external graphics cards or high -speed SSD boxes to integrate with the system. At the same time, the ability of two 4K monitors to work at 60 Hz is made possible by these ports.
Thunderbolt 3 and 4 compatibility is also required for these devices. In this way, users can use existing Thunderbolt hardware without any mismatch. These ports, which are certified by Intel, meet both Microsoft’s WHCP requirements and USB-infid standards. This structure offers more predictions about what the port offers.
Microsoft, control of these standards Windows Hardware Lab Kit (HLK) is doing it through. Producer companies cannot get a WHCP certificate for their devices before they pass HLK tests successfully. Tests include signal timing, speed bargaining, power transmission and stability in sleep mode. Each failure prevents certificates from being resolved at software or hardware levels.
Another test tool Microsoft offers Mutt (Microsoft USB Test Tool) It plays an important role in this process. Mutt applies automatic tests in many details from signal quality to the security level of the port. Thus, not only on paper, but also in real conditions of use, these ports are provided with the functions they promise. Microsoft offers online access to these tests and requirements.
This new structure aims to provide USB-C ports on the WHCP certified devices. Without clearly specifying what each port supports, it provides great convenience to offer the same function. USB Data Transfer, charging support And external screen connection The standard of basic functions such as, such as, offers a problem -based approach beyond improvement of user experience.
Microsoft not only solves today’s problems with WHCP. At the same time, the USB 80 GBPS standard is already preparing infrastructure for future technologies. These ports support both symmetrical (80/80) and asymmetric (120/40) data paths, providing a wider bandwidth, especially for high -resolution image transmission. This approach will contribute to the fact that USB-C is a really universal connection standard.