Windows 8.1: Download kits and tools
Get started with Windows 8.1. Download driver tools to build, test, and deploy drivers, kits to assess and certify your hardware, and tools to develop Windows Store device apps.
Looking for kits and tools for an earlier version of Windows? See WDK and WinDbg downloads or Windows Hardware Certification Kit (HCK) downloads.
WDK, debugging tools, and driver samples
Visual Studio 2013 (90-day trial)
Start by downloading either Visual Studio Professional 2013 or Visual Studio Ultimate 2013. Used together Visual Studio 2013 and the Windows Driver Kit 8.1 provide an integrated development environment for creating efficient, high-quality drivers for Windows 8.1.
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Windows Driver Kit (WDK) 8.1
Download WDK 8.1 to get the tools to build, test, debug, and deploy drivers. When you have the WDK, we recommend that you install the WDK 8.1 Test Pack. It has tests for device fundamentals, graphics, imaging, mobile broadband (CDMA, GSM, and WLAN), sensors, and other utilities. Learn what's new in the WDK.
Important: Before installing WDK 8.1, you need to install Visual Studio 2013. Install Visual Studio Professional 2013 or Visual Studio Ultimate 2013.
Standalone Debugging Tools for Windows 8.1 (WinDbg)
If you just need the Debugging Tools for Windows, and not WDK 8.1 or Visual Studio 2013, you can install the Debugging Tools as a standalone component from the SDK for Windows 8.1. In the installation wizard, select Debugging Tools for Windows, and deselect all other components.
Windows Remote Debugging Client for Windows 8.1
You can use the Windows Remote Debugging (Windows RD) client to work remotely with developers from Microsoft via the internet to debug kernel-mode failures by using the Kernel Debugger (KD). Learn more and prepare for remote debugging.
Driver samples
Code samples are valuable guides whether you're writing your first driver or updating an older one. Learn more about samples.
Windows symbols
Symbol files make it easier to debug your code. The easiest way to get Windows symbols is to use the Microsoft Symbol Server. If you prefer to download the entire set of symbols for a particular version of Windows, download a symbol package.
ADK and HCK downloads
ADK for Windows 8.1
The Windows Assessment and Development Kit (ADK) for Windows 8.1 has new assessments for energy-efficient devices, glitch-free local video playback, and Windows Store app and Internet Explorer performance. We’ve also added new options in DISM that you can use to compress and reduce the size of Windows images. Learn what's new in the Windows ADK for Windows 8.1.
HCK for Windows 8.1
The Windows Hardware Certification Kit (HCK) has tools, guidelines, and support information to help you get your hardware certified. Tests are now categorized into different phases of product development, so you can find certification issues throughout the product development cycle. Learn what's new in HCK for Windows 8.1.
Supplemental test content
Some tests, like DXVA or HMFT multimedia or network media, need additional files for testing. You might need to download these to complete your certification testing.
Windows HCK QFE updates
The Windows HCK no longer ships standalone QFE packages. Instead, each update of the kit includes all previous QFE packages.
Windows Store device apps
Visual Studio Express 2013 for Windows
You can use Visual Studio Express 2013 for Windows to create Windows Store device apps. But this version of Visual Studio installs a version of the SDK that doesn’t include the Device Metadata Authoring Wizard. To get the new Device Metadata Authoring Wizard, you must also download the standalone Windows 8.1 SDK.
Visual Studio 2013 (90-day trial)
You can also use Visual Studio Professional 2013 or Visual Studio Ultimate 2013 to create Windows Store device apps. These editions include the new Device Metadata Authoring Wizard.
Samples for Windows Store device apps
Find device-related samples by filtering for devices and sensors in the samples gallery. Samples that show Windows Store device app features are tagged with the keyword "Windows Store device app."
Windows 8.1 developer guides
Discover new APIs and features that can help you create new Windows experiences. Streamline the processes for developing, testing, and submitting your apps. Learn what you need to build compelling Windows Store apps for your customers and what you need to get started growing your expertise and your business.
