Windows 8.1 Preview for hardware devs
Windows 8.1 Preview builds on the fast, fluid, touch-first experience we started with Windows 8. With support for the latest low-power chipsets, Windows 8.1 Preview lets you design and develop a wide range of devices—from small tablets to high-powered PCs—that deliver the latest advances in displays, battery life, and performance. Check out how Windows 8.1 Preview takes advantage of the latest technologies.
Graphic and video
Increase display resolution, across all form factors and sizes, with high PPI. Provide better multi-monitor capabilities for more apps per display and support for Miracast wireless display.
Wireless technologies
Expand mobile broadband features and functionality. Provide higher bandwidth for more robust Wi-Fi experiences and improved support for Bluetooth and NFC.
Storage
Add solid-state hybrid drive support. Give customers faster boot, resume, and app launch times, plus higher performance and increased storage capacity at a reduced cost.
Multimedia
Improve camera features for higher quality photos from pre- to post-picture capture. Provide front and back microphones, improved echo cancellation, and new audio capture and effects for a real-time communication experience.
Security and identity
Increase security using the built-in biometric framework, easy authentication, and improved BitLocker recovery. Provide automated device encryption and improved support for virtual smart cards.
Input devices
Maximize the touch experience with precision touchpads engineered to inspire confidence. Create a great, responsive touch experience across all form factors and sizes.
Develop, assess, and certify
WDK for Windows 8.1 Preview
The Windows Driver Kit (WDK) 8.1 has tools to extend class drivers and build, test, debug, and deploy new drivers. Get a better deployment and test experience using the WDK 8.1 for Windows 8.1 Preview, and run many basic certification tests during development. You can also use the new version of the Windows Driver Frameworks (WDF) to write user mode drivers in C, with no required COM code. And you can compile your WDF code for user mode or kernel mode drivers.
Important: An edition of Visual Studio 2013 Preview for Windows must be installed before installing the WDK 8.1 for Windows 8.1 Preview. Install Visual Studio Professional 2013 Preview or Visual Studio Ultimate 2013 Preview.
See what’s new for driver development for Windows 8.1 Preview
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HCK for Windows 8.1 Preview
The Windows Hardware Certification Kit (HCK) includes tools, guidelines, and support information to help you get your hardware certified. New capabilities like distributed scheduling reduce testing time for you because it lets you run multiple certification tests simultaneously on a set of identical devices. Tests are now categorized into different phases of product development, allowing you to discover certification issues throughout the product development cycle.
See what’s new for hardware certification for Windows 8.1 Preview
ADK for Windows 8.1 Preview
The Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) helps you customize, assess, and deploy Windows 8.1 Preview to new computers. This latest kit includes new assessments for connected standby devices, glitch-free local video playback, and Windows Store app and Internet Explorer performance. We’ve added new options in DISM that you can use to compress and reduce the size of Windows images.
Build a Windows Store device app for Windows 8.1 Preview
Show off your device’s features and functionality with a Windows Store device app. Instead of a writing a driver, save time by using Windows Runtime APIs to access USB, Bluetooth, HID, and Point of Service devices. These apps install automatically and can perform device updates, and other important operations, in the background.
See what’s new with Windows Store device apps in Windows 8.1 Preview
See the Windows 8.1 Preview Product Guide for Developers
See the new APIs and features in the Windows 8.1 Preview Feature Guide
