Window Server Additional Qualifiers (AQ)
Windows Server Additional Qualifiers (AQs) are a collection of features that are listed in a separate category in the Windows Server Catalog. They are used to identify components that work best with virtualization-related workloads such as storage or compute deployed on Windows Server 2025. Hardware vendors can get an AQ by certifying their server using the standard HLK test environment and passing all tests identified by the HLK gatherer or manually selected for certification.
Windows Server badges help identify hardware components, devices, drivers, systems, and solutions that meet Microsoft standards for compatibility and recommended practices with the Windows Server operating system. Products and solutions that have earned the Certified for Windows Server badge are also fully supported in Hyper-V environments.
The badges that identify certification for earlier Windows Server operating system versions, such as the "Certified for Windows Server 2012 R2" and "Certified for Windows Server 2012" , and the "Certified for Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2" and "Certified for Microsoft Windows Server 2008" badges identify hardware and software solutions that meet Microsoft standards for compatibility and recommended practices with the respective Windows Server operating systems. Solutions that have earned either of these Certified for Windows Server logos are also fully supported in Hyper-V environment from the same release. The certified applications have been tested by Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) using technical specifications and tools required by Microsoft. ISVs have independently verified the compatibility of such applications and confirmed support to customers that deploy the certified applications.
If you are a manufacturer of Windows-compatible software or hardware, you can find more information about how to qualify for these certification programs on the following Web pages:
Design, develop, and certify hardware for Windows- resources for hardware and manageability certification of systems, devices and drivers for Windows Server OS
Windows Logo Program for Server Applications: Overview- the Applications Readiness and Certification resource for ISV developing Applications for Windows Server.
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