WHQL/HLK and software-only drivers

Hi,

We have a non-PnP KMDF driver that provides a user mode service through its single CDO. It doesn’t specifically care about hardware and doesn’t do any filtering or monitoring of hardware events.

I’ve briefly reviewed the HLK tests listing and few if any tests seem relevant to our driver: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/test/hlk/testref/hardware-lab-kit-test-reference

Given that we’re not aiming for WHQL signing at this time, attestation signing is good enough for now, is there still some benefit to setting up and running the HLK tests?

TIA

is there still some benefit to setting up and running the HLK tests

SOME, but not very much. The HLKs MIGHT help you find some otherwise difficult to find problems… But, given that you’re a software only driver (and not something like a FS Minifilter) I think the “cost” (in terms of time, effort, and annoyance) of running the HLKs versus the benefit you’ll get would mitigate against running the HLKs. Unless, you know, you have need for the ultimate in reliability.

Your time will be better spent getting SDV/CA/Clang-Tidy to pass and ensuring your driver builds free of warnings at Warning Level 4.

Peter

Great, thanks for the quick response!