Windows Driver Documentation

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Introduction to Windows Drivers

Welcome to the comprehensive documentation for Windows driver development. This section provides the essential information you need to build, test, and deploy high-quality drivers for the Windows operating system.

Developing drivers for Windows requires a deep understanding of the operating system's kernel, hardware interaction, and the Driver Development Kit (DDK) or Windows Driver Kit (WDK).

Key Areas:

Kernel-Mode Drivers

Kernel-mode drivers execute in the most privileged processor mode. They have direct access to hardware and are critical for system stability. Errors in kernel-mode drivers can lead to system crashes (Blue Screen of Death).

Common Kernel-Mode Driver Types:

  • Bus Drivers: Manage I/O for devices on a particular bus.
  • Function Drivers: Handle I/O for a specific device.
  • Filter Drivers: Intercept I/O requests to modify or extend the functionality of another driver.
  • Class Drivers: Provide a common interface for a class of devices.

Learn more about kernel-mode driver architecture.

User-Mode Drivers

User-mode drivers run in the context of a user-mode application, providing a safer and more robust environment. They are suitable for devices that don't require direct hardware manipulation or extensive system privileges.

Common User-Mode Driver Frameworks:

  • User-Mode Driver Framework (UMDF): A modern framework for developing user-mode drivers.
  • Portable Device Class Driver Framework: For devices that connect through Windows MTP/PTP.

Explore user-mode driver development best practices.

Windows Driver Kit (WDK)

The Windows Driver Kit (WDK) is the essential toolset for developing Windows drivers. It includes compilers, debuggers, libraries, headers, and samples.

You can download the latest WDK from the official Microsoft website. Ensure you are using a WDK version compatible with your target Windows operating system.

Current Recommended WDK: Windows 11 WDK (Version 22H2)

Key Components:

  • Compiler (MSVC)
  • Build Environment
  • Debugging Tools
  • Driver Verifier
  • Code Signing Tools

Driver Models

Windows supports several driver models, each with its own advantages and use cases:

Windows Driver Model (WDM)

The original driver model for Windows NT-based operating systems. Still relevant for many legacy and complex kernel-mode drivers.

Kernel-Mode Driver Framework (KMDF)

A more modern, object-oriented framework for developing kernel-mode drivers. Simplifies driver development and reduces boilerplate code.

User-Mode Driver Framework (UMDF)

A framework for developing drivers that run in user mode. Enhances stability and security by isolating drivers from the kernel.

Choose the driver model that best suits your hardware and requirements.

Driver Samples

The WDK includes a rich collection of driver samples that demonstrate various driver functionalities and models. These samples are invaluable for learning and as a starting point for your own driver projects.

You can find the driver samples within your WDK installation directory, typically under C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\src\kernel or C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\src\usermode.

Featured Samples:

Browse the complete list of WDK samples.

Tools and Debugging

Effective debugging is crucial for driver development. The WDK provides powerful tools:

  • Driver Verifier: Helps detect driver errors that could crash the system.
  • WinDbg: A powerful kernel debugger for diagnosing driver issues.
  • Écho: Debugging kernel-mode drivers remotely.

Refer to the debugging techniques for Windows drivers.