Microsoft Enhances Windows Hardware Support
Recently, Microsoft rolled out substantial updates aimed at improving hardware compatibility with Windows. These enhancements are essential for elevating the overall performance and user experience of Windows-based systems.
Introduction of HLK and VHLK Updates
The tech giant has announced the upcoming releases of the Hardware Lab Kit (HLK) and Virtual Hardware Lab Kit (VHLK) scheduled for May 2025. For those unfamiliar, HLK updates enable hardware vendors to rigorously test their devices for Windows, allowing them to optimize driver software for better compatibility and performance. More details about this release can be found in the dedicated article linked here.
Deprecation of Windows Device Metadata
In tandem with the HLK updates, Microsoft has also announced the deprecation of Windows Device Metadata and Windows Metadata and Internet Services (WMIS).Device metadata consists of user-facing details that Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) provide about their hardware, including icons, logos, and descriptive text that enrich the Windows user interface. Introduced alongside Windows 7, this feature has played a critical role in how devices are represented in utilities such as Task Manager and Device Manager.
Given the need for ongoing improvements in specifications reporting—such as updates for RAM speeds—Microsoft is expected to adopt a new strategy for managing device information going forward.
Insight into Processor Speed Reporting
In a recent post in his column “The Old New Thing, ”Microsoft’s Raymond Chen shared an intriguing insight into why Windows displays dual clock speeds for processors on the System “About”page in the Settings app. This page provides essential hardware information to users.
Microsoft has enriched this page with a new FAQ section, aimed at addressing common inquiries regarding PC specifications. Chen elaborates that the dual reporting of CPU speeds is derived from an inherently unreliable method: the CPUID function codes. Consequently, Windows estimates the processor speeds based on these codes to provide a real-time representation of the clock frequency.
Understanding the Clock Speed Data
This guessing method might clarify instances where Task Manager displays misleading specifications for certain hardware configurations. According to Chen, the secondary clock speed reported is included by the hardware manufacturer in the processor information (specifically through the processor brand string).This speed represents the base and/or boost speed that the manufacturer designed the CPU to operate at, remaining a static value.
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4790 CPU @ 3.60GHz 3.71GHz Processor brand string Speed
This clock speed information is not only present in the Settings app but also in tools like Task Manager, MSINFO32, and DXDIAG. To delve deeper, you can read Raymond Chen’s complete blog post on Microsoft’s official website here.
Leave a Reply ▼