- Microsoft tries to put PC manufacturers online to ensure that USB-C ports are properly configured
- Poor configuration of the manufacturer could lead to USB-C ports not operating as they should, or not to produce correct notifications
- Microsoft exhorts the use of the Windows Hardware Lab Kit to fully validate USB-C ports
Microsoft tries to put Windows 11 PC manufacturers online when it comes to ensuring that all USB-C ports are working properly.
If you have already bought a new PC and have noticed that it had a failed port, although it is generally not an experience of presentation, it will certainly be frustrating; Especially if you lack ports with a laptop, let’s say. And defects with USB-C ports can be caused by PC manufacturers that do not configure them properly.
The latest Windows reports that Microsoft recently wrote a blog article on what OEMs (PC Makers) must know the USB-C ports and relevant notifications in Windows 11, which highlighted the problems linked to these poorly labeled ports.
This includes a USB-C connector labeled like USB-A, or Vice Versa, which, in the case of the old, the hamstrings of the functionality of the port. The data will not be transferred as quickly as it should be, and the load will be slower, for example (because the system thinks that the USB-C port is USB-A).
In addition, notifications on problems with a USB-C port will not be displayed if they are poorly identified as USB-A, you will therefore miss the troubleshooting of details or warnings-as if the laptop is slowly charged on the USB-C port, or if there are problems when connecting a USB device.
These capacities may not work if the PC manufacturer has not correctly configured the Advanced Windows (ACPI) configuration pilot. And, as mentioned, if the connectors are poorly labeled as the wrong type (USB-A rather than USB-C).
Thus, to solve these problems, Microsoft clearly indicates that PC manufacturers should use the Windows Hardware Lab Kit kit in the configuration process of a new Windows 11 device. This tool allows you to test the drivers, to validate USB ports to ensure that they are properly configured, and even more.
Analysis: avoid frustration of USB-C ports
Appropriate validation using the material laboratory kit should guarantee that the dizzy or defective USB ports become rare occurrence. There could still be manufacturing defects with a port – or any component – but at least incidents of poor configuration by the PC creator can be reduced in this way.
It is if companies producing PCs by following the directives of Microsoft, of course, and that a key element of this decision will be how it is applied. In particular with regard to unknown and inexpensive PC marks, which are the manufacturers more likely to precipitate the configuration of a device and to be mistaken.
In short, it is a big decision in theory, but how the practical side of it takes place, and if some low-budget PC manufacturers listen to Microsoft, could be another story.
Place the law as this should have a positive impact, however. In addition, this latest initiative presents itself in addition to a scheme revealed earlier this year which is designed to ensure consistency with USB -C ports, which means that each connector provides all key aspects of the standard functionality (data transfer, power delivery – load – and output to a display).
When combined, these two progress should help make USB-C ports much less confusing, and much more reliable on Windows 11 PCs, which should be a good thing. Perhaps the main question here is: why have these initiatives have not been implemented before now?
