Microsoft wants a version of USB-C that “just works” consistently across all PCs

arstechnica.comPublished: 6/2/2025

Summary

USB Type-C has become the standard for connecting devices today, having been developed in 1998 as a versatile connector. Over the past decade, it has replaced older standards across laptops, consoles, phones, and more. However, its ability to handle multiple functions is limited by separate specifications for charging, Alt Mode, and data transfer speeds, often leading to inconsistencies among ports. To address this, Microsoft is enforcing full functionality on all USB-C ports in PCs using its Windows Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP), ensuring compatibility with modern requirements like 5Gbps speeds and output capabilities.