WDMcompatible

WDMcompatible, also written as WDM-compatible, refers to devices and drivers that conform to the Windows Driver Model (WDM), a unified kernel-mode driver architecture introduced by Microsoft in the late 1990s to provide a single driver interface across Windows 98/Me and Windows NT-based systems. A WDMcompatible driver implements a standard set of interfaces and IRP-based dispatch routines, and participates in the operating system’s plug-and-play and power-management infrastructure within a device stack that includes bus and function drivers.

Background and purpose: The goal of WDM was to reduce driver fragmentation and enable a single binary to run on multiple Windows versions. WDM defines how drivers interact with the system through I/O request packets (IRPs), device objects, and the device stack, and it introduced standardized mechanisms for PnP (plug and play) and power management alongside conventional I/O handling.

Scope of compatibility: WDMcompatible drivers run on Windows platforms that support the Windows Driver Model. Some devices may later migrate to or rely on newer frameworks such as Kernel-Mode Driver Framework (KMDF) or older VxD-based components, depending on the OS and hardware requirements. While WDM provides portability and baseline functionality, advanced features may require newer frameworks or OS capabilities.

Development and certification: WDMdrivers are typically developed using the Windows Driver Kit (WDK). They may undergo driver verification and WHQL (Windows Hardware Quality Labs) testing for logo certification, depending on distribution channels and requirements.

Significance: WDMcompatibility was a major step in standardizing Windows drivers and improving stability across Windows generations, laying groundwork for current driver architectures and development practices.

See also: Windows Driver Model, Kernel-Mode Driver Framework, User-Mode Driver Framework, Windows Hardware Quality Labs.