Microsoft to Enforce Certain USB-C Features on WHCP Tested 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) test 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 testing 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.