WCID is an extension of the WinUSB Device functionality, put forward by Microsoft during the Windows 8 Developer Preview and that uses capabilities ( Microsoft OS Descriptors, or MODs) that have been part of Windows since Windows XP SP2.Īs of May 2012, an automated WinUSB WCID driver is provided on all platforms starting with Windows Vista. As such, WCID can bring the 'Plug-and-Play' functionality of HID and Mass Storage to any USB device (that sports a WCID aware firmware). WCID allows a device to be used by a Windows application almost as soon as it is plugged in, as opposed to the the usual scenario where an USB device that is neither HID nor Mass Storage requires end-users to perform a manual driver installation. Example of a complete OS Feature Descriptor queryĪ WCID device, where WCID stands for ' Windows Compatible ID', is an USB device that provides extra information to a Windows system, in order to facilitate automated driver installation and, in most circumstances, allow immediate access.Defining a Device Interface GUID or other device specific properties.
