Referenced above as MyDevice_Install , this section defines what files to copy and what services to start.
[Manufacturer] %ManufacturerName%=Standard, NTamd64
When developing and distributing device drivers, it's crucial to adhere to Windows driver development guidelines and security best practices to ensure compatibility, reliability, and security.
[MyDriver_Install.Services] AddService = MyDriver, 0x00000002, MyDriver_Service
A Windows Setup Information (INF) file is a plain-text configuration file that acts as a blueprint for the Windows operating system to install and configure device drivers. It contains essential metadata, such as device identification, driver source files, and registry settings, ensuring that hardware components communicate correctly with the kernel.
Since Windows Vista, you cannot just write an INF and load the driver. The package must be signed. You need a .cat (catalog) file generated by inf2cat and signed with a valid certificate, or the driver must be test-signed during development.
[Version] Signature="$Windows NT$" ; Standard signature for modern Windows Class=USB ; The device class (USB, Display, Network, etc.) Provider=%ManufacturerName% ; Uses string substitution for easy localization DriverVer=10/25/2023, 1.0.0.0 ; Crucial for driver ranking/updates CatalogFile=MyDriver.cat ; References the digitally signed catalog file
At its core, an INF (Setup Information) file is a text file. That’s it. You can open it with Notepad. However, don't let its plain-text nature fool you. It is a script that tells the Windows Setup API exactly how to install a device.
Here, we are telling Windows: "Look for a section named Standard for 64-bit (amd64) systems."