Microsoft makes Precision touchpads mandatory for ‘Built for Windows 10’

Microsoft will at some point make so-called Precision touchpads, which it also uses for the Type and Touch Covers for Surface tablets, mandatory for a “Built for Windows 10” stamp. Most hardware makers would like to have that stamp on the box.

Microsoft has announced at its own conference WinHEC to include Precision touchpads in the list of mandatory hardware, Windows Central discovered in a presentation published online earlier. By aligning the hardware in as many Windows laptops as possible, Microsoft wants to enable a better user experience than is possible with all kinds of different hardware.

To this end, Microsoft includes the obligation in the Hardware Compatibility Program, a list of requirements that devices must meet in order to be allowed to put ‘Built for Windows 10’ on the box. Because many manufacturers want it, the Precision touchpad could be on many more devices in the future, Windows Central expects.

It is unknown when Microsoft will include the obligation in the list. According to the slide during the presentation, this is not yet happening with the Creators Update, which will be released in the spring of 2017.