Tuesday, June 3rd 2025
Microsoft to Enforce Certain USB-C Features on WHCP Certified Laptops
The Type-C USB connector has made it a lot easier—at least in theory—to connect devices, but it's not without its faults, especially as it's been hard to know what capabilities both the ports and the cables deliver. The USB-IF has solved most of the issues on the cable side with clearer markings on certified cables, but that still leaves both computers and devices as a gotcha point. Microsoft has now announced that it has a new WHCP (Windows Hardware Compatibility Program) certification program for Windows 11 laptops that guarantees certain features from a Type-C USB port. No, it doesn't mean all new Windows 11 WHCP laptops will support USB4, which is something of a letdown, but it does guarantee that all USB-C ports on new WHCP laptops will support charging of the laptop and at least DP Alt mode for one display.
As the older USB 3.x standard doesn't support many of the features of USB4, there are several limitations to laptops that lack USB4 support, beyond just data transfer speeds over USB, such as PCIe tunnelling and Thunderbolt 3 support. However, Microsoft mandates Thunderbolt 3 support on all WHCP laptops with USB4 support. USB4 equipped WHCP laptops also have to support 15 W device charging and at least a pair of 4K 60 Hz displays via DP Alt mode. Microsoft's new WHCP certification does at least remove some of the guesswork when buying a new laptop, but until all laptops support USB4, there will still be devices with limited USB Type-C ports in the market.
Source:
Microsoft
As the older USB 3.x standard doesn't support many of the features of USB4, there are several limitations to laptops that lack USB4 support, beyond just data transfer speeds over USB, such as PCIe tunnelling and Thunderbolt 3 support. However, Microsoft mandates Thunderbolt 3 support on all WHCP laptops with USB4 support. USB4 equipped WHCP laptops also have to support 15 W device charging and at least a pair of 4K 60 Hz displays via DP Alt mode. Microsoft's new WHCP certification does at least remove some of the guesswork when buying a new laptop, but until all laptops support USB4, there will still be devices with limited USB Type-C ports in the market.
16 Comments on Microsoft to Enforce Certain USB-C Features on WHCP Certified Laptops
I fully expect some engineering hazard to completely ruin this like it usually does but good.
Ex. USB 3.0 5gbps w/ 1 display, but at what spec? 1 or 2 lanes of DP1.2a aren't much, but can legitimately advertise WHCP, USB 3.2, 4K etc.
In a couple years this should mean that this it the new baseline.
or real 4k?
2^(12) = 4096 x ???? display resolution.
It hurts to see people not knowing electronics or maths. Or basics of physics, where i learnt the most about si units and si prefixes.
3??? is not 4k, is not 4000
k = kilo as a si prefix
--
microsoft should have written
two displays with 3840×2160 pixels @ 60Hz.
Anyway I do not want anything with 60Hz these days.
just for information: ihax.io/display-resolution-explained/
2160p / UHD 3840×2160 pixels
4K 4096×2160 pixels
Keep it simple with 4096×2160 pixels or 3840×2160 pixels so it is really 100% sure what the writer intended. No UHD, 2160p and so on.
--
When you make a standard than it'S a standard.
I hate it when i see 15 Watt guaranteed charging but 7.5 Watt for tablet.
Microsoft should get more educated people in physics, electronics and maths first. I do not want to see exceptions. USB is already too complicated in regards of those renaming.
They should have stick to USB 5gbps / 10gbps / 20gbps and so on.
Also, nowhere does it say that Microsoft is limiting anything. these are the MINIMUM requirements.
Oh, look at that, modern Intel CPUs, even mid-range models, support much higher resolutions than that over DP.
Please show us a single 4096×2160 resolution consumer display.
As for the charing, those are USB-IF standards and it's for charging something like your phone or headphones from your laptop. Many laptops exceeds this today.
Microsoft is simply enforcing the standards with the WHCP certification, as they're making sure the USB-C ports supports a certain baseline of features. This is NOT a new standard.
You really just made yourself look a tad ignorant with this post.
Opposite of many other parameter (RMA, storge, cores ect`) 60Hz is all good for any non serious-about-it gamer.
Anyway, that's the kind of stuff that's welcomed from the leader in the market. Using their influence to do actual good.
I don't think Microsoft can force companies to do the WHCP certification, but if they want to display they logo, they have to. This is the same with any kind of "self certification" program though. Even the USB-IF can't force companies to certify their cables as an example, but as a consumer, you might might not get what you're paying for if you buy a cable that isn't certified and as such will avoid buying a product that isn't.
"PC manufacturers are on track to achieve WHCP compliance across most systems in the coming years."
It's a total mess and wild West out there and no one is willing to take responsibility to sort this out finally... I would not be surprised if consumer groups start to complain to EU regulator more vocally about the chaos with functions on USB-C ports. Where Microsoft's rules remain legally toothless, EU regulator could start another major battle to get tech industry's ducks in order to provide consumers with more consistent technologies and experience over this interface. Let's see how this momentum fares in coming years.
You know what will happen, besides type-A? No type-C. Like, if manufacturers determine it’s too expensive, they’ll just cut away the ports they might’ve otherwise left in, and that’ll be it. There’s still recent machines (laptops) that have launched with USB 2-ports. :shadedshu:
This only applies to WHCP certified laptops, all of which are expected to have at least two USB-C ports. Any WHCP certified laptop, must offer full functionality on all USB-C ports.
Also, USB 2.0 ports are perfectly fine for something like a wireless dongle for a mouse. Not everything requires high-speed interfaces.
Beyond that, there's no simple way to really screw this up.