Device Driver Guide documents 9 Microsoft families across 4 hardware categories. Each entry below explains what the family covers and links to the full on-site reference page for that hardware.
Listed families
9
Hardware categories
4
Families with cautions
9
How to use this page
Device Driver Guide does not host installers. Read the family page for the hardware you own, work out which package applies to your exact model and Windows edition, then use the official-source citation provided for that decision. A component-branded family may still require the company that built your computer or motherboard rather than Microsoft; follow the declared package source on the family page.
Reference coverage is recorded separately for each family in the comparison below, not as one compatibility list for this manufacturer. These labels describe the scope of the reference, not certified compatibility or continuing Windows support. Confirm the exact device or PC model, hardware revision, Windows release, and package requirements with the manufacturer before making a change.
9 documented Microsoft families
| Family | Category | Reference coverage | Caution on file |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyper-V Virtual Switch Extension | Virtual Devices | Eligible 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions with Hyper-V requirements met | Yes, see the card below |
| Microsoft Hyper-V Virtual Ethernet Adapter | Virtual Devices | Eligible 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions with Hyper-V requirements met | Yes, see the card below |
| Microsoft Loopback / KM-Test Adapter | Virtual Devices | Use only on releases covered by the applicable Microsoft procedure | Yes, see the card below |
| Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Adapter | Virtual Devices | 10/11 only with compatible Wi-Fi hardware, driver, and feature support | Yes, see the card below |
| Windows HID Keyboard (Standard Typing Support) | Keyboards | 10, 11 | Yes, see the card below |
| Windows Precision Touchpad (Microsoft Standard) | Touchpads | 10, 11 | Yes, see the card below |
| Windows Sandbox Virtual Devices | Virtual Devices | 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions only; current Sandbox prerequisites apply | Yes, see the card below |
| Windows UVC Camera (Standard Support) | Webcams | 10/11 for devices implementing supported UVC descriptors | Yes, see the card below |
| WSL Virtual Network Adapter | Virtual Devices | 10/11 releases supported by the selected WSL installation method | Yes, see the card below |
Virtual Devices
This route covers the Hyper-V virtual switch and extensibility model, not a standalone extension download. Hyper-V Manager configures switches; third-party switch extensions, if installed, come from their own publisher and must document compatibility with the host release.
Reference coverage: Eligible 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions with Hyper-V requirements met
Read the full family referenceVirtual Devices
Hyper-V creates virtual network adapters for virtual machines and virtual switches; names and lifecycle depend on the configuration. Hyper-V is not available as a host feature on every Windows edition, and Microsoft documents processor, firmware-virtualization, and security requirements.
Reference coverage: Eligible 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions with Hyper-V requirements met
Read the full family referenceVirtual Devices
Microsoft documents a KM-Test loopback adapter for specific testing and troubleshooting procedures. Installation steps and naming can vary by Windows release, and it should not be added merely as general network maintenance.
Reference coverage: Use only on releases covered by the applicable Microsoft procedure
Read the full family referenceVirtual Devices
Windows and a compatible wireless driver can expose Wi-Fi Direct virtual interfaces for supported features. Their presence and naming depend on the physical adapter, driver model, Windows release, and active feature; Mobile hotspot behavior alone does not prove a particular adapter name.
Reference coverage: 10/11 only with compatible Wi-Fi hardware, driver, and feature support
Read the full family referenceKeyboards
This is the generic driver Windows loads for many keyboards. It covers standard typing but does not provide every manufacturer's special keys, lighting, or configuration features.
Reference coverage: 10, 11
Read the full family referenceTouchpads
Windows Precision Touchpad is Microsoft's hardware and HID-protocol specification for compatible touchpads; it is not a universal downloadable driver package. Windows provides the class handling and gesture settings.
Reference coverage: 10, 11
Read the full family referenceVirtual Devices
Windows Sandbox is an optional disposable environment available only on editions and systems listed by Microsoft's install documentation. Its virtualized devices belong to the Windows feature and are not standalone downloads.
Reference coverage: 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions only; current Sandbox prerequisites apply
Read the full family referenceWebcams
Windows includes a USB Video Class driver for conforming UVC devices. UVC is a protocol class, not a compatibility promise for almost any webcam or for Mipi-integrated sensors.
Reference coverage: 10/11 for devices implementing supported UVC descriptors
Read the full family referenceVirtual Devices
WSL networking is provisioned by the selected WSL version and Windows configuration; adapter names and architecture can differ, including mirrored networking on supported Windows 11 systems. This route is not a standalone adapter download.
Reference coverage: 10/11 releases supported by the selected WSL installation method
Read the full family reference