It also provides RFCOMM support using sockets besides virtual COM ports. This was lacking in the Windows XP Service Pack 2 built-in Bluetooth stack, which had to be entirely replaced by a third-party stack for additional profile support. The Windows Vista Bluetooth stack supports a kernel mode device driver interface besides the user-mode programming interface, which enables third parties to add support for additional Bluetooth Profiles.

The Windows Vista Bluetooth stack is improved, with support for more hardware IDs, EDR performance improvements, Adaptive frequency hopping for Wi-Fi co-existence, and Synchronous Connection Oriented (SCO) protocol support which is needed for audio profiles.

The third-party companies were then allowed to release the QFE as part of their own Bluetooth device's software installation. Microsoft only released this directly to third-party companies and did not directly release it to the public.

Windows XP SP1 : Microsoft released a QFE of its Bluetooth stack (labelled as QFE323183) to install onto Windows XP Service Pack 1.

Windows XP SP2 and SP3 support Bluetooth 1.1 (but not 1.0), Bluetooth 2.0 and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate).

Windows XP had a built-in Bluetooth stack starting with the Service Pack 2 update, released on.

Third party stacks can also be installed on Windows CE devices, including Widcomm, BlueSoleil and Toshiba, depending on the embedded device and which version of the OS is installed.

Windows Embedded Compact (formerly Windows CE) supports UART, USB, SDIO, and BCSP connections.

Windows 2000 or Windows ME : Microsoft has not released an official Bluetooth stack for these old Windows versions.

Csr harmony wireless software stack 5.0