Here is why this specific version still matters in a world of Windows 11 and ARM64. The single biggest reason to still have WDK 8.1 installed on a build machine is Target Platform configuration .
October 15, 2023 Category: Driver Development, Legacy Systems windows driver kit 8.1
Microsoft requires and EV Certificates with cross-signing. While WDK 8.1 supports SHA-2 (via updates), it does not support the modern attestation signing process required for Windows 10 1809+. Here is why this specific version still matters