Microsoft has officially started the deprecation of its Windows Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP) for Windows 10, a move that will reshape how device manufacturers certify their products. According to a notice issued on September 26, 2025, OEMs should immediately stop treating Windows 10 certification as the default path for new or refreshed hardware and instead certify forward to Windows 11. The only exceptions are devices intended for Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) editions or those covered under Extended Security Updates (ESU), where Windows 10 certification will remain temporarily available.

The timing is no coincidence. Windows 10’s mainstream support ends on October 14, 2025, less than a month after the notice. By aligning the WHCP deprecation with the end-of-life date, Microsoft is sending an unmistakable signal: the industry must accelerate its transition to Windows 11, and lingering on Windows 10 for new hardware is no longer an option.

What Is WHCP and Why Does It Matter?

The Windows Hardware Compatibility Program is Microsoft’s official framework for ensuring that devices, drivers, and systems meet a baseline of reliability, performance, and security when running Windows. For OEMs, WHCP certification—often in the form of a Windows Hardware Compatibility Kit (HCK) or Hardware Lab Kit (HLK) submission—is critical. It enables them to display the “Certified for Windows” logo, gain access to certain Microsoft programs, and, in many cases, have their drivers signed and distributed through Windows Update.

Without certification, drivers may be blocked by Secure Boot or trigger warning messages for end users. For enterprise customers, WHCP certification is often a procurement requirement, assuring IT departments that hardware will work seamlessly with Microsoft’s operating system. Until now, manufacturers could submit their products for Windows 10 certification, which would also grant compatibility on Windows 11 in many scenarios through backward compatibility. However, the new policy upends this approach.

The Deprecation Notice: What It Actually Says

The September 26 notice, posted on the Microsoft Hardware Dev Center, clearly states that Windows 10 WHCP submissions will no longer be accepted as the primary certification path. Effective immediately, Microsoft’s certification portal will prioritize Windows 11 submissions. Windows 10 tests will remain accessible only for specific categories: systems and drivers targeting LTSC editions, or for hardware that will be deployed on Windows 10 machines with active ESU contracts.

This means a typical consumer laptop or desktop launching in late 2025 or 2026 cannot be submitted solely with Windows 10 test results. If an OEM wants its drivers to be signed and distributed for Windows 10, it must now also complete Windows 11 certification—and the WHCP logo will reflect Windows 11 compatibility. In essence, Windows 11 becomes the new baseline.

LTSC and ESU: The Exceptions

The carve-outs for LTSC and ESU are logical. Windows 10 LTSC editions, such as Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021, are supported until 2027 or later, and they are commonly used in medical devices, industrial controllers, and point-of-sale systems that cannot tolerate frequent updates. For these environments, Microsoft understands that a wholesale move to Windows 11 is impractical, so it will continue accepting Windows 10–specific HLK submissions for a limited time. However, such submissions must clearly demonstrate LTSC targeting, and Microsoft may audit them to prevent misuse.

Similarly, ESU-covered systems—usually in enterprises that have paid for extended security patches beyond October 14, 2025—may still require Windows 10 drivers for legacy hardware. Microsoft has indicated that until ESU support fully ends (currently scheduled for 2028), it will allow Windows 10 certification for those devices. But OEMs must provide proof of ESU eligibility during submission.

Immediate Impact on Hardware Makers

For OEMs and driver developers, this deprecation introduces new costs and challenges. First, many engineering teams have long-established test harnesses built around Windows 10 HLK. Migrating these to Windows 11 HLK—which includes new requirements like TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and specific processor generations—will demand time and investment. Small peripheral makers, in particular, may struggle if they lack access to modern test machines that fully support Windows 11.

Second, driver signing will become more complex. Previously, a driver signed on Windows 10 would work on both OS versions. Now, a Windows 11–only signed driver might not install on Windows 10 unless the OEM also submits for Windows 10 certification (which is only allowed in exceptional cases). This fragmentation could lead to separate driver packages for each OS, increasing maintenance overhead.

Third, inventory and go-to-market timelines will be affected. OEMs planning to release new hardware in early 2026 that targets both Windows 10 and Windows 11 might face delays while they re-engineer test procedures. Some may opt to launch only with Windows 11 support, abandoning the shrinking Windows 10 consumer base.

Consumer and Business User Consequences

For everyday users and businesses, the shift is less dramatic—at least in the short term. Most existing Windows 10 devices will continue to function normally, receiving security updates until October 2025 (or longer with ESU). However, when users buy new peripherals, printers, or PCs after the deprecation, they may encounter a situation where the latest drivers are only certified for Windows 11. If they attempt to install on an older Windows 10 machine, Windows might flag the driver as incompatible or refuse to install it via Windows Update. This could leave Windows 10 users with outdated drivers, potentially compromising performance or security.

Enterprises still running Windows 10 at scale should review their hardware refresh plans carefully. If they plan to purchase new devices after the deprecation, those devices may not have full driver support for Windows 10 unless they specifically negotiate with OEMs for LTSC/ESU-targeted hardware. This could accelerate the forced migration to Windows 11, even for organizations that would prefer to wait.

Microsoft’s Broader Strategy

The deprecation fits neatly into Microsoft’s aggressive push to sunset Windows 10. The company has been employing a carrot-and-stick approach for years: offering Windows 11 as a free upgrade, but also tightening hardware requirements and now cutting off the official certification pathway. By making Windows 11 the mandatory certification target, Microsoft ensures that the ecosystem of new devices aligns with its latest security model, protocol support (Wi-Fi 7, USB4), and AI-driven features like Copilot+ PC.

It also pressures chipmakers. Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm have already shifted driver development focus to Windows 11. Windows 10 driver availability for newer silicon has been spotty—for example, Intel’s 12th-gen and later CPUs lack official Windows 10 chipset drivers. The WHCP change cements this trajectory: future generations of hardware will be designed and validated exclusively for Windows 11.

Industry Reactions and What Comes Next

Initial reaction from the Windows hardware community has been mixed. Larger OEMs like Dell, HP, and Lenovo have been expecting this move and already have Windows 11 certification pipelines in place. But smaller, specialized manufacturers—especially those serving the embedded or industrial markets—have voiced concern. They argue that the LTSC exception, while welcome, may be too narrow. For instance, a rugged tablet used in field service might not strictly qualify as LTSC but still needs to run Windows 10 for compatibility with legacy software. Without a clear, affordable path to Windows 10 certification, these niche products could become orphaned.

There are also questions about how long the LTSC/ESU exceptions will remain. Microsoft’s notice did not specify an end date, but logically, once the final Windows 10 ESU support ends in 2028, even those exceptions will vanish. After that, no new hardware will be certified for Windows 10 at all. The next major milestone is the release of Windows 11 LTSC 2024, which will eventually become the default for long-life industrial systems. OEMs are already being encouraged to prepare for that transition.

What OEMs Should Do Now

For any OEM or hardware developer still relying on Windows 10 certification, the time to act is immediately. Microsoft’s message is unequivocal: invest in Windows 11 HLK infrastructure, train staff on new test requirements, and update automated validation pipelines. If your product must support Windows 10, you should verify whether it qualifies under the LTSC or ESU exceptions and prepare the necessary documentation. But even then, you should plan to transition fully to Windows 11 certification within the next two product cycles.

For businesses still deploying Windows 10, the certification change is a leading indicator of a shrinking ecosystem. It may be prudent to accelerate migration plans or, at minimum, to stock up on replacement peripherals and devices that are already Windows 10 certified before those products disappear from the market.

The Bottom Line

The deprecation of Windows 10 WHCP is more than a bureaucratic update—it is a strategic pivot that closes the door on Windows 10 as a viable target for new hardware. With the October 2025 end-of-life date looming, Microsoft is forcing the hand of manufacturers, developers, and users alike. While LTSC and ESU offer a temporary lifeline, the industry’s future is unmistakably Windows 11.

For those still clinging to Windows 10, the message is clear: the hardware ecosystem is moving on, and the certification seal that once guaranteed broad compatibility is now reserved for the modern platform. How smoothly OEMs adapt will determine the availability and quality of devices in the coming years—and whether the Windows 10 to 11 transition remains a manageable evolution or becomes a disruptive reckoning.