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R ECERTIFYING A C U S TO M IZ E D W IN DOWS H C K D RIVER
P ACKAGE
1. Introduction
This application note discusses the Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) or WinQual process for recertifying a
customized HCK driver package. Driver recertification is required any time a certified driver is modified, which
includes the modified VCP or USBXpress driver output from AN220: C8051F32x and CP210x USB Driver
Customization.
There are several fees to Microsoft and VeriSign associated with the WHQL recertification process. Silicon Labs
itself does not charge or collect any fee for this process.
The driver recertification process is always changing. To ensure proper certification, refer to the latest
documentation on the WinQual website: http://sysdev.microsoft.com. Silicon Labs is not responsible for failing
submissions due to changes in Microsoft’s submission process.
Note: Microsoft may require acceptance of multiple agreements before enabling the submission process. The required agreements must all be signed to fully certify the driver. These agreements are specific to Microsoft, so questions on them
should be directed to sysdev@microsoft.com.
Note: This process may require adding http://sysdev.microsoft.com as a trusted website in a browser in order to upload the
submission package.
Note: This document assumes that the customized driver package is already created using the AN220 Driver Customization
Wizard and tested on the desired operating systems.
2. Relevant Documentation
For additional information on drivers or the recertification process:
AN220:
C8051F32x and CP210x USB Driver Customization—Available on www.silabs.com/interfaceappnotes. This document and the accompanying software enable customization of the VCP and
USBXpress drivers, which can be found at www.silabs.com/interface-software.
WinQual website—Provides the latest information and portal for driver recertification:
http://sysdev.microsoft.com.
3. Recertifying a Customized Driver
To recertify a customized driver:
1. Purchase a code signing certificate from VeriSign (http://www.verisign.com) and create a Windows Live
account. It is also possible to link an existing live account to the Windows Dev Center.
2. Contact Silicon Labs technical support (www.silabs.com/support/pages/contacttechnicalsupport.aspx) for
reseller status. Please provide the driver used (VCP or USBXpress), driver version, and the WHQL
registered company name.
3. Accept the reseller submission of the original device driver. There is a single flat fee from Microsoft for
accepting this.
4. Download the Hardware Certification Kit tools needed to create and submit the updated driver package.
5. Once this tool is installed, download the HCKX file from the reseller submission. This HCKX file contains a
description of the driver set.
6. Use the Hardware Certification Kit Studio to modify the HCKX file to point to the updated submission
package, which then can be submitted to the Windows Dev Center as a Driver Update Acceptable. Driver
Update Acceptable is a term used by Microsoft to describe a driver update in which binaries do not change.
In this case, the customized submission only includes an INF change and changes to the Driver Installer
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INI file. The driver installer is optional and does not affect the submission.
Note: There is a fee for each recertification operating system. For the latest fees see http://sysdev.microsoft.com
or email whqlbill@microsoft.com.
After the submission is complete and reviewed, download the signed catalog files and include them in the custom
driver installation.
3.1. Obtain a VeriSign Certificate and Windows Live Login
The first step requires buying a code signing certificate from VeriSign, which can be purchased at
www.verisign.com. The specific certificate required is the Code Signing Certificate for Microsoft Authenticode.
Then, create an account with Windows Live by visiting http://sysdev.microsoft.com and applying for an account. An
existing Windows Live account can also be linked.
After obtaining the VeriSign certificate, notify Dev Center of the certificate by signing a simple executable file from
the Dev Center. To do this, go to AdministrationUpload a New Digital Certificate and follow the instructions.
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Figure 1. Uploading a New Digital Certificate
3.2. Contact Silicon Labs to Become a Reseller
Contact Silicon Labs technical support (www.silabs.com/support/pages/contacttechnicalsupport.aspx) to become a
reseller. Please specify:
The
type of driver (VCP or USBXpress).
driver version.
The name of the company registered to the Windows Live and Windows Dev Center account.
The
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3.3. Accept the Reseller Submission
Log in to the Windows Live Account at the Windows Dev Center and go to Hardware CertificationManage
Submissions to view and accept the reseller submission. The current pricing for the reseller submission can be
found on the Dev Center (http://sysdev.microsoft.com) or the Windows Hardware Developer Central
(www.microsoft.com/whdc/default.mspx) sites.
1. Go to Hardware CertificationManage Submissions.
2. Change the Submitted By section to Entire Company.
3. Change the Period section to More Than 1 Year.
4. Select HCK from the Kit drop-down menu.
5. Click the Apply button.
6. Click on the driver submission ID in the list.
7. Accept the reseller submission.
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Figure 2. Accepting Reseller Status—Step 1
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Figure 3. Accepting Reseller Status—Step 2
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3.4. Download the WinQual Tools and Windows Updates
Download and install the Windows Hardware Certification Kit (Studio only) tool by logging in to the Windows Dev
Center and going to Hardware CertificationCreate HCK Submission. Then, click on the Windows Hardware
Certification Kit (Windows HCK) link.
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Figure 4. Downloading the Tools
Install the tool with the Studio Only option checked. This will be the only option available if the tools are installed
on any operating system other than Server 2008.
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3.5. Download the HCKX File
Login to Windows Dev Center and go to the newly-accepted reseller submission by following the navigation steps
in "3.3. Accept the Reseller Submission" on page 3. To download the HCKX file:
1. Click on the Summary and Tasks tab at the top of the driver submission ID page.
2. Click the Dua Shell Package link under the Download section and save the file. This file will be used with
the WinQual Submission Tool to create the updated driver submission package.
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Figure 5. Downloading the HCKX File
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3.6. Create the Updated Driver Submission Package
To create the updated driver submission package:
1. Launch the HCK Studio downloaded and installed in "3.4. Download the WinQual Tools and Windows
Updates" on page 5.
2. Click Connect at the top left of the window.
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Figure 6. Launching the HCK Studio
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3. Under Choose Connection, click the Browse button and navigate to the HCKX file downloaded in "3.5.
Download the HCKX File" on page 6.
4. Under Packaging Options, select Driver Update.
5. Click OK.
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Figure 7. Selecting the Connection Options
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6. Click on the Package tab.
7. Right-click on the Driver Folder listed for the existing submission and select Replace Driver.
8. Browse to the location of the customized driver and select it.
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Figure 8. Selecting the Customized Driver
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9. Click the Create Package button.
10. When the Signing Options dialog opens, select:
a. Use the certificate store if the signing certificate is already installed on the machine.
b. Use a certificate file to browse to the certificate location.
11. Click Ok.
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Figure 9. Creating the Driver Package
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3.7. Submit the Created Package
To submit the package created by the tools:
1. Login to Windows Dev Center and go to Hardware CertificationManage Submissions.
2. Click on the previously-accepted reseller submission.
3. Click Upload driver update (DUA).
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Figure 10. Navigating to the Package Upload Page
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4. Click the Choose File button.
5. Browse to the location of the HCKX file.
6. Click Next.
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Figure 11. Selecting the HCKX File
7. Fill out the form:
a. Select the billing group and provide the Purchase Order number (optional).
b. Check Signature only for operating systems that should be signed but don’t necessarily require
testing. Any operating system that was tested and specified in the WinQual Submission Tool will
already be checked by default.
c. Supply the customized Product Name.
d. Firmware version is customizable as desired.
8. The next page allows for accepting any required WHQL exhibits and policies. Sign and click Next.
Microsoft requires that they be signed in order to continue with the submission.
9. Review the submission and click Submit. Microsoft SilverLight may be required to upload the submission.
Note: If there are problems uploading the file, ensure that http://sysdev.microsoft.com is listed as a trusted site in the
browser.
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3.8. Downloading the Signed Catalog Files
Notifications are sent upon approval of the submission. When this occurs, log in to Dev Center to download the
signed CAT (catalog) files to include with the driver package.
1. Log in to Dev Center and go to Hardware CertificationManage Submissions.
2. Click on the customized submission. Note that this is not the original reseller submission.
3. Click on the Summary and Tasks tab.
4. Click Signed Catalog File on the right to download the CAB file that contains signed CAT files.
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Figure 12. Downloading the Catalog Files
5. Extract the CAT files from this CAB file to the customized driver package. The driver is now signed and
ready for distribution.
Note: The CAT files are needed by the driver installation to remove Windows Hardware Warnings. The CAT files are required
by 64-bit operating systems or the drivers will not install, even with a warning.
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