Training
Module
Troubleshoot device driver failures - Training
This module focuses on the role of device drivers and troubleshooting problems that pertain to them.
This browser is no longer supported.
Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support.
Important
This section contains guidance on WDM drivers, which is no longer the recommended driver model. For guidance on choosing a driver model, see Choosing a driver model.
To allow driver developers to write device drivers that are source-code compatible across all Microsoft Windows operating systems, the Windows Driver Model (WDM) was introduced. Kernel-mode drivers that follow WDM rules are called WDM drivers.
All WDM drivers must do the following items:
Include Wdm.h, not Ntddk.h. (Wdm.h is a subset of Ntddk.h.)
Be designed as a bus driver, a function driver, or a filter driver, as described in Types of WDM Drivers.
Support Plug and Play (PnP).
Support power management.
Support Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI).
If you're writing a new driver, consider using the Kernel-Mode Driver Framework (KMDF). KMDF provides interfaces that are simpler to use than WDM interfaces.
Don't write a WDM driver if the driver will be inserted into a stack of non-WDM drivers. Read the documentation for device type-specific Microsoft-supplied drivers to determine how new drivers must interface with Microsoft-supplied drivers. For more information, see Device and Driver Technologies.
Training
Module
Troubleshoot device driver failures - Training
This module focuses on the role of device drivers and troubleshooting problems that pertain to them.