Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

• A Windows Development Machine: A supported version of Windows (e.g., Windows 10, Windows 11).
• Visual Studio: Install Visual Studio, including the "Desktop development with C++" workload. Ensure you have the latest updates.
• Windows Driver Kit (WDK): Download and install the WDK that matches your target Windows version. The WDK contains headers, libraries, and tools for driver development.
• Debugging Tools for Windows: These are typically installed with the WDK or can be downloaded separately as part of the Windows SDK.

Installing Visual Studio and WDK

The installation process for Visual Studio and the WDK is straightforward. Follow the on-screen prompts.

1. Download the Visual Studio installer from the official Microsoft website.
2. Run the installer and select the "Desktop development with C++" workload.
3. Download the WDK from the Microsoft Download Center.
4. Run the WDK installer.

It is highly recommended to install Visual Studio and the WDK on the same drive if possible to simplify configuration.

Configuring Your Project

Once Visual Studio and the WDK are installed, you can create a new driver project.

1. Open Visual Studio.
2. Go to File > New > Project....
3. In the "Create a new project" dialog, search for "Driver".
4. Select the appropriate driver template (e.g., "Kernel Mode Driver").
5. Click Next, provide a project name and location, and then click Create.

Visual Studio will automatically configure the project to use the WDK headers and libraries. You might need to adjust the target platform and configuration (e.g., x64, Win7, Win10) in the project properties.

Debugging Your Driver

Debugging a driver requires a host machine (where Visual Studio runs) and a target machine (where the driver will be installed and debugged). The target machine is often referred to as the "test machine".

Types of Debugging:

• Kernel-mode debugging: This is the most common type for driver development. It allows you to debug code running in the Windows kernel.
• User-mode debugging: For drivers that run in user mode or for debugging associated user-mode components.

Setting Up Kernel-Mode Debugging:

Kernel-mode debugging typically uses a serial port, a network connection (using KDNET), or USB 3.0. The most common and recommended method is using KDNET.

For network debugging (KDNET), ensure both the host and target machines are on the same network. You'll need to configure the network adapter on the target machine to enable debugging.

Steps for KDNET Setup:

1. On the target machine, open an elevated Command Prompt.
2. Enable debugging: bcdedit /debug on
3. Configure the network adapter: bcdedit /dbgsettings net hostip:HostIPAddress port:PortNumber key:DebugKey
   • HostIPAddress: The IP address of your host machine.
   • PortNumber: An available port number (e.g., 50000).
   • DebugKey: A pre-shared key for secure debugging. You can generate one using fltmdk.exe -generatekeys.
4. Reboot the target machine.
5. On the host machine, open Visual Studio.
6. Go to Debug > Attach to Kernel.
7. In the "Kernel Debugging" dialog, select the "Net" tab.
8. Enter the target machine's IP address, the port number, and the debug key.
9. Click Attach.

Ensure that your firewall on the host machine allows incoming connections on the specified debug port.

Windows Driver Testing Framework (WDTF)

WDTF is a powerful tool for automating driver testing. It provides a framework for creating and running tests to validate driver functionality and stability.

• Install WDTF as part of the WDK.
• Explore WDTF samples and documentation to understand how to create test scenarios.

Tools and Utilities

The WDK includes several essential tools for driver development:

• Driver Verifier: Helps detect common driver errors and bugs. Run it regularly on your test machines.
• WinDbg: A powerful debugger for both kernel and user mode.
• Logman: For managing performance counters and tracing.
• SignTool: For signing driver packages.