Windows 7

The majority of hardware and devices are compatible with Windows 7. But what about that lovely old document scanner that you are using since you bought it ten years ago? What about other hardware and devices that you want to use under Windows 7? One solution to find out would be to install Windows 7 and see if it works. That’s not always practicable especially in company environments.

A better solution is the Windows 7 Hardware Compatibility List that is being offered by Microsoft. The list can only be viewed with Microsoft’s Internet Explorer but that’s the only restriction here.

Microsoft has re-purposed the website to “display a comprehensive list of hardware products logo’d for Windows”.

Welcome to the Windows Logo’d Products List updated for Windows 7. This site (formerly known as the ‘Windows Vista Hardware Compatibility List’ or ‘HCL’) has been repurposed to display a comprehensive list of hardware products logo’d for Windows – from components to input devices, peripherals to mobile devices and everything in between.* Use the new Windows 7 tab to confirm Windows 7 Status, or even download a Logo Verification report. Use the Windows Vista and Windows XP tabs to quickly discover products logo’d for these respective logos.

A device or hardware with the Windows 7 logo has passed Microsoft’s 32-bit and 64-bit compatibility tests in Windows 7. What this means is that users will find many hardware devices and gadgets in the hardware compatibility list but not all of them as vendors need to submit their products to the Windows Quality Online Services team for review.

It is possible to browse various categories and subcategories like digital cameras & video, networking or printer & scanners. Categories are divided into a device section and systems section. The systems section contains lists of netbooks, notebooks, PCs and motherboards while every other hardware device is found in the devices section of the site.

A search is provided to quickly locate a device without having to browse the categories manually. Interested users who want to verify that their hardware is compatible with Windows 7 can point their Internet Explorer to the Windows Logo’d Product Lists website.