Updated feature score directive in Windows 8

The updated feature score directive is a general installation setting that's required for all Windows 8 drivers that follow the Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM).

This table shows the values that apply for Windows 8. Key changes are italicized.

Feature scores for WDDM versions

Driver model	Feature score
Windows 8 WHQL	E0
Windows 8 Pre-Release Driver	E3
Windows 7 WHQL	E6
Windows 7 inbox	EC
Windows Vista WHQL	F6
Windows Vista inbox	F8
Microsoft Basic Display Driver	FB
XDDM third-party	FC (Not used in Windows 8)
XDDM inbox in Windows Vista	FD (Not used in Windows 8)
VGA	FE (Not used in Windows 8)
Default or No Score	FF
Unsigned drivers	No feature score = FF

Each operating system release introduces a new feature score value. For Windows 8 this is E3 for in-box and pre-release drivers, and E0 for WHQL drivers. The feature score is used by Windows to determine which driver to install when multiple possible drivers exist. A driver with a higher ranked feature score is selected.

All Windows 8 in-box driver devices have a higher ranked feature score than all existing Windows 7 drivers because the in-box drivers are tested on Windows 8, and existing Windows 7 drivers have not been. This results in the in-box Windows 8 driver replacing existing Windows 7 drivers. An independent hardware vendor (IHV) can use the E0 feature score with a Windows 7 driver if the following is true:

• The driver has been tested for Windows 8.
• The driver has fixes that make it better than the in-box driver.
• The driver is intended to be retained on upgrade to Windows 8.