hck

Hck is an acronym that may refer to several different concepts, most commonly in computing. The Hardware Certification Kit (HCK) is a Microsoft testing framework historically used to certify Windows-compatible hardware and drivers. The HCK provided a suite of automated tests to validate device functionality, installation, reliability, and compatibility with Windows. It was part of Microsoft’s hardware certification program, intended to reduce driver conflicts and improve user experience on Windows systems. In the mid-2010s, Microsoft introduced the Windows Hardware Lab Kit (HLK) as the successor to the HCK; HLK captures the updated testing approach and tooling for Windows 8 and later, and is the framework currently associated with hardware certification. In practice, HCK-related references are now largely historical, with HLK representing the ongoing standard for hardware qualification.

Outside of computing, Hck may appear as an acronym or code in other domains, including organizational names, project titles, or shorthand used within specific communities. Because Hck is not a widely standardized term, its meaning without context is uncertain and can vary by field.