Combining platform extensions with operating system versions
Within the INF Manufacturer section of an INF file, you can supply INF Models sections that are specific to various versions of the Windows operating system. These version-specific Models sections are identified by using the TargetOSVersion decoration.
Within the same INF file, different INF Models sections can be specified for different versions of the operating system. The specified versions indicate target operating system versions with which the INF Models sections will be used. If no versions are specified, Windows uses a Models section without the TargetOSVersion decoration for all versions of all operating systems.
TargetOSVersion decoration format
The following example shows the correct format of the TargetOSVersion decoration for Windows XP through Windows 10, version 1511:
nt[Architecture][.[OSMajorVersion][.[OSMinorVersion][.[ProductType][.[SuiteMask]]]]]
Starting with Windows 10, version 1607 (Build 14310 and later), the correct format of the TargetOSVersion decoration includes BuildNumber:
nt[Architecture][.[OSMajorVersion][.[OSMinorVersion][.[ProductType][.[SuiteMask]][.[BuildNumber]]]]]
Each field is defined as follows:
nt
Specifies that the target operating system is NT-based. Windows 2000 and later versions of Windows are all NT-based.
Architecture
Identifies the hardware platform. For more information on architecture platform decorations on Models sections, see Creating INF Files for Multiple Platforms and Operating Systems.
OSMajorVersion
A number that represents the major version number for the operating system. For a table listing major versions for the Windows operating systems, see OSMajorVersion in INF Manufacturer section.
OSMinorVersion
A number that represents the minor version number for the operating system. For a table listing minor versions for the Windows operating systems, see OSMinorVersion in INF Manufacturer section.
ProductType
A number that represents one of the VER_NT_xxxx flags defined in Winnt.h, such as the following:
0x0000001 (VER_NT_WORKSTATION)
0x0000002 (VER_NT_DOMAIN_CONTROLLER)
0x0000003 (VER_NT_SERVER)
If a product type is specified, the INF file will be used only if the operating system matches the specified product type. If the INF file supports multiple product types for a single operating system version, multiple TargetOSVersion entries are required.
SuiteMask
A number that represents a combination of one or more of the VER_SUITE_xxxx flags defined in Winnt.h. These flags include the following:
0x00000001 (VER_SUITE_SMALLBUSINESS)
0x00000002 (VER_SUITE_ENTERPRISE)
0x00000004 (VER_SUITE_BACKOFFICE)
0x00000008 (VER_SUITE_COMMUNICATIONS)
0x00000010 (VER_SUITE_TERMINAL)
0x00000020 (VER_SUITE_SMALLBUSINESS_RESTRICTED)
0x00000040 (VER_SUITE_EMBEDDEDNT)
0x00000080 (VER_SUITE_DATACENTER)
0x00000100 (VER_SUITE_SINGLEUSERTS)
0x00000200 (VER_SUITE_PERSONAL)
0x00000400 (VER_SUITE_SERVERAPPLIANCE)
If one or more suite mask values are specified, the INF file will be used only if the operating system matches all the specified product suites. If the INF file supports multiple product suite combinations for a single operating system version, multiple TargetOSVersion entries are required.
BuildNumber
Specifies the minimum OS build number of the Windows 10 release to which the section applies, starting with build 14310 or later. For a table listing build numbers for the Windows operating systems, see BuildNumber in INF Manufacturer section.
The build number is assumed to be relative to some specific OS major/minor version only, and may be reset for some future OS major/minor version.
Any build number specified by the TargetOSVersion decoration is evaluated only when the OS major/minor version of the TargetOSVersion matches the current OS (or AltPlatformInfo) version exactly. If the current OS version is greater than the OS version specified by the TargetOSVersion decoration (OSMajorVersion,OSMinorVersion), the section is considered applicable regardless of the build number specified. Likewise, if the current OS version is less than the OS version specified by the TargetOSVersion decoration, the section is not applicable.
If build number is supplied, the OS version and BuildNumber of the TargetOSVersion decoration must both be greater than the OS version and build number of the Windows 10 build 14310 where this decoration was first introduced. Earlier versions of the operating system without these changes (for example, Windows 10 build 10240) will not parse unknown decorations, so an attempt to target these earlier builds will actually prevent that OS from considering the decoration valid at all.
How Windows processes TargetOSVersion decorations
When you install a driver package on a device, Windows follows these steps to process the INF Models sections within an INF file:
If one or more INF Models sections have the TargetOS decoration, Windows selects the INF Models section that is closest to the attributes for the host operating system.
For example, if an INF Models section has a TargetOS decoration of ntx86.5.1, Windows selects that section if the host operating system is running Windows XP or later version of Windows on an x86-based system.
Similarly, if an INF Models section has a TargetOS decoration of nt.6.0, Windows selects that section if the host operating system is Windows Vista or later version of Windows on any supported hardware platform.
If an INF Models section has a TargetOS decoration of nt.10.0...14393, Windows selects that section if the host operating system is running a Windows 10 build equal to or greater than 14393 on any supported hardware platform.
If none of the INF Models sections have a TargetOS decoration that matches the host operating system, Windows selects the Models section that has either a matching platform extension or no platform extension.
For example, if an INF Models section has a platform extension of ntx86, Windows selects that section if the host operating system is Microsoft Windows 2000 or later version of Windows on an x86-based system.
If Windows cannot find a matching INF Models section, it will not install that driver package on the device.
How TargetOsVersion decorations are resolved
When determining the applicable INF Models sections, the evaluation is performed per-line within the INF Manufacturer section, where, for a given OS version, each line may have up to one applicable section.
The below INF excerpt shows an example where [ExampleModelsSection_1.NTamd64.10.0...17134] will be selected on a Windows build number equal to or greater than 17134 , and both [ExampleModelsSection_1.NTamd64.10.0...17134] and [ExampleModelsSection_2.NTamd64.10.0...22000] will be selected on a Windows build number equal to or greater than 22000.
[Manufacturer]
%ManufacturerName% = ExampleModelsSection_1,NTamd64.10.0...17134
%ManufacturerName% = ExampleModelsSection_2,NTamd64.10.0...22000
The below INF excerpt shows an example where [ExampleModelsSection_1.NTamd64.10.0...17134] will be selected on a Windows build number equal to or greater than 17134, and [ExampleModelsSection_1.NTamd64.10.0...22000] will be selected on a Windows build number equal to or greater than 22000.
[Manufacturer]
%ManufacturerName% = ExampleModelsSection_1,NTamd64.10.0...17134,NTamd64.10.0...22000
Sample INF Models sections with TargetOSVersion decorations
Apply to a particular OS version and later
This INF excerpt shows how you can specify that a driver package only applies to a particular OS version and later.
[Manufacturer]
%ManufacturerName% = ExampleModelsSection,NTamd64.10.0...17134
; This driver package applies to Windows 10 1803 (build 17134) and later only
[ExampleModelsSection.NTamd64.10.0...17134]
%DeviceDesc%=ExampleInstallSection,ExampleHardwareId
[ExampleInstallSection]
...
Apply to only a single OS version
This INF excerpt shows how you can specify that a driver package only applies to a single OS version.
[Manufacturer]
%ManufacturerName% = ExampleModelsSection,NTamd64.10.0...17134,NTamd64.10.0...17763
; This driver package applies to Windows 10 1803 (build 17134)
[ExampleModelsSection.NTamd64.10.0...17134]
%DeviceDesc%=ExampleInstallSection,ExampleHardwareId
; However, this driver package does nothing on Windows 10 1809 (build 17763) and later
[ExampleModelsSection.NTamd64.10.0...17763]
; intentionally left empty
[ExampleInstallSection]
...
Apply to multiple OS versions with different settings
This INF excerpt shows how you can specify that a driver package should go through different installation instructions for different OS versions.
[Manufacturer]
%ManufacturerName% = ExampleModelsSection,NTamd64.6.1,NTamd64.10.0
; This driver package applies to Windows 7 and later
[ExampleModelsSection.NTamd64.6.1]
%DeviceDesc%=ExampleInstallSection_Win7,ExampleHardwareId
; However, this driver package has different installation instructions on Windows 10 and later
[ExampleModelsSection.NTamd64.10.0]
%DeviceDesc%=ExampleInstallSection_Win10,ExampleHardwareId
[ExampleInstallSection_Win7]
...
[ExampleInstallSection_Win10]
...