We are a camera manufacturer. How do we join the Windows Hardware Partner Center?

To join the Windows Hardware Developer Program in Partner Center for camera products, complete these steps:

1. Get an extended validation (EV) code signing certificate. This is required for a Hardware Dev Center dashboard account and is required for the registration request to be considered for approval.
2. Confirm the registration prerequisites before starting:
   • Sign in with a Microsoft Entra ID global administrator account.
   • Make sure the organization’s legal contact can receive external email from Microsoft.
   • Identify a legal contact who is authorized to sign agreements on behalf of the company.
   • If an existing organization Dev Center account should be used, sign in with it before beginning registration.
3. Start enrollment from the Hardware Developer Program registration page. Use Login with work account if the organization already has a Microsoft Entra ID directory. If not, use Create work account to create one during registration.
4. Verify that the sign-in account is a global administrator, then continue to the Partner Center hardware dashboard.
5. Enter company information and search using the company details or D-U-N-S number. If no matching record is found, choose I don't have D-U-N-S number and enter the company details manually.
6. Provide accurate company information and add the legal contact.
7. Review and accept the required agreements if authorized. If not authorized, registration must be completed by someone who can accept agreements for the company.
8. Submit the registration request, then upload the EV code signing certificate from the Manage certificates page.
9. Monitor the global administrator mailbox for a business questionnaire from Microsoft and complete it. Registration does not proceed until that questionnaire is completed. If needed, a preferred email address can be set under My Preferences so the questionnaire is received.
10. After approvals are complete, the global administrator receives a confirmation email with next steps.

For the overall hardware onboarding flow, the documented sequence is:

• Get the EV certificate
• Register for the Hardware Developer Program
• Test hardware and drivers through the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program
• Create a hardware submission for certification
• Manage driver distribution if publishing through Windows Update

If support is needed during enrollment:

• Use Microsoft Engage Center if signing in with a Partner Center account that is already enrolled in the Hardware Program.
• If enrollment is incomplete, tenant access is unavailable, or first-time enrollment blocks sign-in, open a case through Partner Center support instead.

• Register for the Microsoft Windows Hardware Developer Program
• Register for the Microsoft Windows Hardware Developer Program
• Partner Center for Windows Hardware
• Get support for the Hardware Program & Hardware Dev Center
• Get support for the Hardware Program & Hardware Dev Center