Driver Certification Pre-validation

Applies To: Windows 8, Windows 8.1

The Driver Certification Pre-validation assessment verifies that the drivers on a running Windows operating system qualify for the Windows Certification Program. The results include recommendations that help you resolve issues that the assessment finds, such as unsigned drivers or expired signatures. For more information, see Results for the Driver Certification Pre-validation Assessment.

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) use the Driver Certification Pre-validation assessment to obtain a Windows logo for a new computer. IT professionals use the assessment to evaluate the quality of drivers on computers that their enterprise owns. The assessment helps you verify that the computer meets the quality level that the Windows Certification Program defines for drivers by ensuring the following:

  • All drivers are correctly signed.

  • All the devices are working.

The following graphic illustrates the assessment process.

In this topic:

  • System requirements

  • Settings

System requirements

Warning

The first-run help tips in Windows 8.1 can negatively affect assessment results. To disable these, run the following command from an elevated command prompt, and reboot the computer:
reg.exe add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\EdgeUI" /v DisableHelpSticker /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f

Warning

Run this assessment only while the desktop is full screen. Do not run this assessment if you have another Windows Store app opened side-by-side with the desktop.

You can run this assessment on the following operating systems:

  • Windows® 7

  • Windows 8

Warning

You can use the Driver Certification Pre-validation assessment only on a running operating system. You cannot use this assessment on an offline Windows image.

Supported architectures include x86-based, x64-based, and ARM-based systems.

There are two ways to run this assessment on Windows RT:

Settings

This assessment has no configurable settings.

See Also

Concepts

Results for the Driver Certification Pre-validation Assessment
Assessments
Driver Verification

Other Resources

Windows Assessment Toolkit Technical Reference
Windows Assessments Console Step-by-Step Guide