Cross-Platform INF Files

Article
01/27/2022

The simplest strategy for cross-platform INF files is to create a separate INF file for each platform type because this approach is the easiest to create and maintain. For more information about how to create platform-specific INF files, see Creating INF Files for Multiple Platforms and Operating Systems.

You can create a single cross-operating system and cross-platform INF file for a device if the device does not have operating system-specific installation requirements. For example, if the files or registry settings that support a device differ between operating system versions for a given platform, you cannot, in general, create a single INF file for that platform type that is supported by all operating system versions.

To create a single cross-operating system and cross-platform INF file for Windows 2000 and later versions of Windows, the simplest approach is as follows:

Use .ntia64 platform extensions on the names of sections that are required to install components on Itanium-based systems, and use .ntamd64 platform extensions on the names of sections that are required to install components on x64-based systems.
Because .nt and .ntx86 platform extensions are optional on all sections that support platform extensions, do not use an .nt or .ntx86 platform extension on the names of sections that install components on x86-based systems.

To create a single cross-operating system and cross-platform INF file for Microsoft Windows 2000 and later versions of Windows, use the following process:

Use .ntia64 platform extensions on the names of sections that are required to install components on Itanium-based systems, and use .ntamd64 platform extensions on the names of sections that are required to install components on x64-based systems.

To create a single cross-operating system and cross-platform INF file for a device that does not have operating system-specific requirements, supports all platform types, and that supports Windows 2000 and later versions of Windows, do the following:

Create a valid INF file that contains the generic entries that are required in all INF files, as described in General Guidelines for INF Files.
Include an INF Manufacturer section that includes a manufacturer-identifier that specifies the Models section name for a device and a platform extension entry for each platform that the device supports. For example, the following Manufacturer section specifies a Models section name of "AbcModelSection" and the platform extensions .ntia64 and .ntamd64. (Do not specify the .ntx86 platform extension.)
```
[Manufacturer]
; The manufacturer-identifier for the Abc device.
%ManufacturerName%=AbcModelSection,ntia64,ntamd64
```
Include a Models section whose name does not include a platform extension. Starting with Windows 2000, the operating system processes this section for x86-based systems. For example, the following AbcModelSection section specifies an install-section-name of "AbcInstallSection" for an Abc device.
```
[AbcModelSection]
%AbcDeviceName%=AbcInstallSection,Abc-hw-id
```
Include a Models.ntia64 section. Windows Server 2003 SP1 and later versions require a Models.ntia64 section for Itanium-based systems. If a Models.ntia64 section exists, Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP also use this section for Itanium-based systems. For example, the following AbcModelSection.ntia64 section specifies an install-section-name of "AbcInstallSection.ntia64" for an Abc device.
```
[AbcModelSection.ntia64]
%AbcDeviceName%=AbcInstallSection.ntia64,Abc-hw-id
```
Include a Models.ntamd64 section. Windows Server 2003 SP1 and later versions require a Models.ntamd64 section for x64-based systems. If a Models.ntamd64 section exists, Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP also use this section for x64-based systems. For example, the following AbcModelSection.ntamd64 section specifies an install-section-name of "AbcInstallSection.ntamd64" for an Abc device.
```
AbcModelSectionName.ntamd64
%AbcDeviceName%=AbcInstallSection.ntamd64,Abc-hw-id
```
Include a DDInstall section whose name is the same as the install-section-name that is specified by the Models section that does not include a platform extension. For example, the AbcModelSection section specifies the following AbcInstallSection section. Windows processes this section to install the Abc device on x86-based systems that run Windows 2000 or later versions of Windows.
```
[AbcInstallSection]
; Install section entries go here.
...
```
Include a DDInstall.ntia64 section whose name is the same as the install-section-name that is specified by the Models.ntia64 section. For example, the AbcModelSection.ntia64 section specifies the following AbcInstallSection.ntia64 section. Windows processes this section to install the Abc device on Itanium-based systems that run Windows XP or later versions of Windows.
```
[AbcInstallSection.ntia64]
; Install section entries go here.
...
```
Include a DDInstall.ntamd64 section whose name is the same as the install-section-name that is specified by the Models.ntamd64 section. For example, the AbcModelSection.ntamd64 section specifies the following AbcInstallSection.ntamd64 section. Windows processes this section to install the Abc device on x64-based systems that run Windows XP or later versions of Windows.
```
[AbcInstallSection.ntamd64]
; Install section entries go here.
...
```
Include additional device-specific sections that are required for an x86-based installation. Do not include an .ntx86 platform extension on the names of these sections. Windows processes these sections by default to install the device on x86-based systems that run Windows 2000 or later versions of Windows.
Include additional device-specific sections that are required for Itanium-based systems that run Windows XP or later versions of Windows. Include the .ntia64 extension on these section names.
Include additional device-specific sections that are required for x64-based systems that run Windows XP or later versions of Windows. Include the .ntamd64 extension on these section names.

For more information about INF file sections and directives, see Summary of INF Sections and Summary of INF Directives.

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