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Device and Driver INFs – A Comprehensive Guide

Operating systems are made to ease the interaction between humans and computers. However, it is not just about convenient file storage and a friendly user interface. One of the basic roles of an operating system is to protect the user from unauthorized and malicious software. In many ways, the kernel is the most sensitive level of the computer. That is why Windows created the INF mechanism. 

Hardware developers (for Windows environment) must be familiar with the INF and digital signature mechanisms, to provide a safe and easy installation. 

What are INFs?

INF files are plain text files crucial for installing software and drivers in Windows operating systems. They act as blueprints, providing instructions and details about the installation process. It includes the driver information, installation instructions, and configuration settings. When a new hardware component is connected, like a printer or a sound card, Windows searches for the corresponding INF file to understand how to install the necessary drivers.

The INF standardized format ensures consistency across different manufacturers and devices, allowing Windows to understand and interpret the information easily. INF files also incorporate basic security measures. They can specify trusted sources for driver files, preventing the installation of potentially harmful software. They can also limit certain actions and modifications, enhancing system stability and integrity.

To authorize the manufacturer of the device INF files are often accompanied by digital signatures. These signatures act like electronic seals, created using cryptographic algorithms and linked to a trusted entity. When Windows encounters an INF file, it verifies the digital signature using the public key of the trusted entity. If the signature is valid, it indicates that the file hasn’t been modified or tampered with since it was signed, ensuring its authenticity and trustworthiness.

Driver and Device INFs

As we understand by now, on Windows, no access to the kernel will be possible without a trusted INF. WinDriver, offering a user-mode driver development toolkit, must gain access to the kernel to perform its magic.

Driver INF is the INF bridging between the user and kernel mode. The default driver INF is WinDriver’s named windrvrVVVV (where VVVV=WinDriver’s version). Distributed machines do not have WinDriver installed, so in the case of distribution, your project’s device INF should be installed in addition to the driver INF. Both of them are automatically generated as part of your project. 

Device INF is your particular device’s INF, enabling access to it. The device INF can be generated for development and testing purposes only, bound to the default INF, or as part of the distribution package. Both INFs must be installed and enabled for the driver to work properly. Most of the Invalid Handle and device access issues are related to INF issues.

WDREG is another tool developed by WinDriver and is aimed to ease the driver development process. It is a dynamic kernel module loader, allowing you to install and enable (and vice versa) INFs. 

Learn more and experience it yourself in these links.

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