Microsoft is trying to streamline USB-C on Windows devices
USB-C functionality on some Windows devices is still a challenge, as manufacturers implement the port differently—some allow charging, others connect external displays, and some are limited to data only. Microsoft is trying to straighten things out by introducing minimum USB-C requirements for manufacturers.
In a new blog post, Microsoft Senior Product Manager Ugan Sivaganenthiraraja writes that while USB4 allows you to use a single USB Type-C port for charging, high-speed data transfer, connecting multiple monitors and Thunderbolt peripherals, it unfortunately doesn't always fulfill these tasks. 27% of PCs with USB4 have limited functionality, and the problem lies not in the reversible connector, but in the inadequate implementation of the port's capabilities in the PC ecosystem. Microsoft wants to fix this.
In general, USB4 supports up to 240W of power (via USB Power Delivery), up to 80Gbps of bandwidth, and display connectivity via DisplayPort and PCIe. However, rather than requiring every Windows device to implement all of these features, Microsoft has taken a more practical approach and is setting a baseline minimum requirement through the Windows Compatibility Program (WHCP).
To achieve WHCP certification, future Windows 11 laptops must support at least three functions – charging, connecting monitors, and data transfer via USB-C. Meanwhile, systems that support data transfer speeds of 40 Gbps or higher must also be compatible with USB4 and Thunderbolt 3 devices. To ensure that laptops meet these goals, Microsoft introduced new WHCP requirements with Windows 11 24H2.
To help manufacturers add minimum requirements support to their future devices, Microsoft is preparing automated test scenarios for the Windows Hardware Lab Kit (HLK) for any USB-C requirements. Manufacturers will be able to run these tests and submit the results to Microsoft, and if any issues are found, WHCP certification will be suspended until they are resolved in the hardware or firmware.