Overview

• The new rules, rolled out in Windows 11 24H2’s updated Hardware Compatibility Program, mandate that all USB-C ports on certified devices support charging, video output and data transfer.
• Microsoft diagnostics data shows that 27 percent of USB4-equipped PCs previously displayed limited-functionality warnings when ports lacked required alternate-mode features.
• Any port offering USB4 at 40 Gbps must also maintain compatibility with Thunderbolt 3 peripherals under the new requirements.
• Microsoft does not impose specific higher transfer speeds or fixed power-delivery wattage beyond minimum USB 3.x performance and basic charging levels.
• The standards apply only to new Windows 11 PCs and are anticipated to take several years before becoming the de facto baseline across the ecosystem.