Microsoft is stepping as much as repair USB-C

USB-C ports are much more versatile than USB Type-A. Sure USB-C ports can cost your system, switch information, energy external GPUs, and supply video output to high-resolution 4K or 8K shows.

Nevertheless, not all USB Kind-C ports are “created equal.” Though most USB-C ports might look similar externally, their capabilities can differ considerably, resulting in appreciable confusion. Whereas one USB-C port in your laptop computer would possibly assist connections to an exterior show, one other might not, understandably puzzling customers who should not well-versed within the intricate particulars of USB-C and Thunderbolt.

To ease the confusion surrounding various kinds of USB-C ports on Windows 11 laptops, Microsoft is introducing a brand new “minimal bar” for USB-C port capabilities on the newest Home windows 11 laptops by way of its Home windows {Hardware} Compatibility Program (WHCP). This standardization goals to attenuate person frustration by guaranteeing constant performance for USB Kind-C ports throughout a wide selection of Home windows 11 laptops.

Let’s discover what Microsoft is doing and the way this can profit you sooner or later when buying a brand new Home windows 11 laptop computer.

What’s Microsoft altering?

All USB-C ports on Home windows 11 laptops should assist an exterior show

Microsoft / Pocket-lint

With its newest WHCP replace, Microsoft is establishing a minimal requirement for PC producers to satisfy when implementing various kinds of USB-C ports on their laptops and tablets. Beforehand, these have been non-compulsory, however now Microsoft has made them a requirement for brand new laptops or tablets to obtain the WHCP seal of approval.

Based on Microsoft’s blog post, there are two completely different units of WHCP necessities: one for USB-C ports with USB 4 and one other for USB 3.

For USB 4, Microsoft states that each one USB-C ports supporting USB 4 should be able to information transfers at both 40 Gbps or 80 Gbps and be suitable with Thunderbolt 3. They have to additionally present charging of no less than 15 watts for laptops or 7.5 watts for tablets. Crucially, they have to all assist USB Energy Supply, PCI Specific Assist (for exterior GPUs), and work with twin 4K displays at 60Hz.

USB 3 Kind-C ports have a decrease minimal requirement than USB 4. For starters, all USB-C ports with USB 3 should be capable to switch information at both 5 Gbps, 10 Gbps, or 20 Gbps, and assist charging between 4.5 watts and seven.5 watts. USB 3 Kind-C ports should not required to have Thunderbolt 3 compatibility or PCI Specific assist, however are required to have the ability to assist one show.

Microsoft states that the above necessities are already in place, having begun with the rollout of Home windows 11 model 24H2. With these modifications to the WHCP, Microsoft intends to meet two core guarantees to Home windows 11 customers buying a brand new laptop computer or pill. Firstly, USB-C information, charging, and show “simply works,” and secondly, PCs with USB-C ports supporting 40 Gbps have “full compatibility with USB4 and Thunderbolt 3 peripherals.”

Most significantly, all USB-C ports are actually required to assist DisplayPort Alt Mode, that means that quickly each USB-C port on a Home windows 11 laptop computer will be capable to connect with an exterior show with a USB-C port. That is important for any laptop computer missing an HDMI port, which many PCs in the present day should not have, given the growing thinness of laptops.

Earlier than this replace, PC producers may forgo including options like USB Energy Supply or DisplayPort Alt Mode to the USB-C ports on their PCs. Nevertheless, because of the new WHCP necessities, that is now not allowed. Microsoft signifies that the majority PC producers “are on monitor to attain WHCP compliance throughout most programs within the coming years.” Hopefully, because of this by the top of 2026, the USB-C port confusion on Home windows 11 laptops will largely be resolved.

Personally, I am glad Microsoft is lastly addressing the USB-C confusion that has persevered for thus a few years. Not everyone seems to be a USB-C port skilled, and by updating its pointers for OEMs, Microsoft is elevating the requirements for future Home windows 11 laptops and making issues simpler for customers. Not solely will customers profit from improved {hardware}, however all USB-C ports on Home windows 11 laptops shall be extra versatile and fewer complicated, as they need to be.

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