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Microsoft announces dual guarantees for USB-C compatibility in Windows 11, aiming to minimize connectivity chaos

Struggled with USB-C ports not supporting preferred accessories? Same here. Microsoft plans to resolve this with a fresh policy.

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Tried using a USB-C port with a device it doesn't support? Same here. Microsoft plans to address...
Tried using a USB-C port with a device it doesn't support? Same here. Microsoft plans to address this problem with a new ruling.

Microsoft announces dual guarantees for USB-C compatibility in Windows 11, aiming to minimize connectivity chaos

Unraveling the USB-C Chaos: Microsoft's Crusade Against Port Confusion

USB-C ports have become the go-to physical connection for modern Windows laptops, but they're far from uniform in their capabilities. In 2025, this inconsistency is causing headaches for many PC users. Microsoft is stepping in to put an end to this chaos.

The naming schemes and standards associated with USB-C ports continue to confuse PC users. According to a recent Microsoft Blog post, 27% of Windows PCs with a USB4 port have received a limited functionality notification, leaving users scratching their heads.

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The root cause? The varying levels of performance among USB-C ports, with many laptop manufacturers failing to disclose important details about their hardware.

Microsoft shares an all-too-familiar scenario: you've just purchased a new laptop with a shiny USB-C port, but when you try to connect a display, you encounter issues. The problem lies in the inequality of USB-C ports, as some lack the required capabilities to run certain peripherals effectively.

Microsoft's Solution: Rewriting the Rules

To tackle the problem, Microsoft is overhauling the Windows 11 Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP). In the near future, laptops shipping with Windows 11 24H2 will be WHCP certified. Certification comes with two guarantees for USB-C on Windows 11:

  1. ** universal support for data transfer, charging, and display.**
  2. compatibility with USB4, Thunderbolt 3, and USB-C peripherals for USB4 ports with 40Gbps performance.

The new WHCP also enforces minimum capabilities for each USB-C version, ensuring consistency across the board. This new certification system is expected to streamline user experiences, making it effortless to connect peripherals without worrying about port functionality[1][3][5].

Moreover, the Microsoft-required driver stack ensures that your PC always receives the latest USB driver updates, maintaining smooth performance.

USB4, the latest version utilizing the USB-C connector, offers two performance tiers: 40Gbps and 80Gbps. Despite the USB-IF's efforts to distinguish these tiers with clearer naming conventions, there is still room for improvement.

In the new WHCP-certified laptops, USB4 40Gbps connections will provide full compatibility with USB4 and Thunderbolt 3 accessories, ensuring that advertised speeds can actually be sustained[5]. Additionally, 80Gbps USB4 ports are required to offer 80Gbps transfer speeds in both directions and an asymmetric 120Gbps / 40Gbps mode ideal for high-res external displays, aligning with Thunderbolt 5[2].

The new WHCP certification for USB-C connectivity will be exclusively found on new laptops that ship with Windows 11 version 24H2. The program will be periodically updated with every major Windows 11 release, ensuring continued consistency and usability for users[2].

[1] - Microsoft Blog Post: [Link Removed for brevity][2] - Intel's Thunderbolt 5 Overview: [Link Removed for brevity][3] - Comparing USB-C Standards: [Link Removed for brevity][4] - USB4 vs. Thunderbolt 3: [Link Removed for brevity][5] - Windows 11 24H2 USB-C Changes: [Link Removed for brevity]

  1. Microsoft's recent blog post reveals that 27% of Windows PCs with a USB4 port have received a limited functionality notification, causing confusion among users.
  2. The new Windows 11 Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP) overhaul by Microsoft aims to guarantee universal support for data transfer, charging, and display on Windows 11, as well as compatibility with USB4, Thunderbolt 3, and USB-C peripherals for USB4 ports with 40Gbps performance.
  3. In the future, laptops shipping with Windows 11 24H2 will be WHCP certified, ensuring consistency in USB-C port capabilities and a seamless user experience when connecting peripherals.
  4. Microsoft's new certification system also enforces minimum capabilities for each USB-C version to maintain uniformity across the board.
  5. The PC's driver stack, required by Microsoft, ensures that users always receive the latest USB driver updates, ensuring smooth performance and compatibility with the latest technology, such as data-and-cloud-computing software and gaming on Xbox.

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