The USB-C connection is possibly one of the greatest disappointments in the history of the technological sector; What should have been a miraculous connection to use a cable for everything has only managed to make things worse.
And is that Not all USB-C connections are equaleven if they seem it. To begin with, the standard already goes for the fourth generation, USB4, and each one has been improving with new functions and capabilities.
That perhaps would be forgible, since it is the equivalent of buying a new more powerful processor; If the generation of the port is very clear, there should be no confusion. Unfortunately, This is where the problems begin.
And it is that each generation of USB-C in turn has several versions with different speeds and characteristics, even if they all receive the same name; USB 3, for example, has three different versions.
This is something that many people have discovered for the bad, when they have connected a device and has discovered that it does not load fast, that they are not able to access all its functions, or directly that does not work.
In the case of laptops, for example, a very common failure occurs when we try Connect an external screen as a USB-C monitor To our laptop, just to find an error message.
After years of millions of users suffering, Microsoft has finally taken letters in the matter. The company has announced that will force laptops to offer USB-C ports with a minimum power and speed.
Specifically, Microsoft’s promise is double. On the one hand, that the USB-C port that we use, We can always use it for data transfer, load and to connect a screen. They will simply work.
On the other hand, Microsoft also guarantees that all USB-C ports with 40 Gbps speed will be compatible with all Thunderbolt 3 and USB4 peripherals; All devices will work in all ports.
To meet these promises, Microsoft has updated the WHCP qualification system (Windows 11 Hardware Compatibility Program) that manufacturers have to comply so that their laptops are certified for Windows 11.
The stickers that will have certified laptops for Windows 11
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In practice, this implies that if we find a laptop with a Windows 11 sticker, that means that All its USB-C ports can be used to connect a screen, load the laptop, or transfer data.
In addition, if the manufacturer specifies that the laptop has USB4 ports, that will mean that All Thunderbolt 3 or USB4 accessories that we have can work No problems and without looking at the concrete specification.
New requirements for USB-C connections in Windows 11
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The process will be transparent for the user, in the sense that we will not have to look at the specifications of each device, port and cable. We will only have to plug them and work Without more difficulties.
In the technical part, this means that Windows 11 computers can now have Two types of ports: USB3 and USB4; Although they can have different specifications, each will have minimal capabilities that they always have to comply.
Specifically, all USB-C ports now require USB Power Delivery capabilities to load the device, as well as Displayport Alt Mode with VESA certification to offer a screen image.
In addition, Microsoft now requires that manufacturers include USB components certified by the USB-IF (Implements Forum), the organization responsible for maintaining the USB specification, to guarantee compatibility.
Microsoft will put your part, in addition to these new requirements, with a new requirement to Offer the latest drivers for USB devicesas well as updates with each new version of Windows 11.
