Have you ever wanted to watch the video that was sitting on your flash drive when all you have is your phone? Or editing a Microsoft Word document from your phone with the comforts of a keyboard and mouse? Well, in Windows 10 youcan… In Windows 10, Microsoft is introducing support for USB Dual Role. USB Dual Role refers to the ability of a system to behave as a USB Device or a USB Host. This feature adds the ability to use your USB devices with your Mobile phone for the first time in Windows.

This feature will only be available on new Windows 10 devices that support USB Dual Role. This is because of the hardware changes required for the USB port to support device enumeration. While there are devices in the market today that have USB Dual Role capable controllers, the platforms were not designed to support USB Dual Role. New hardware may advertise that they are Dual Role capable.

To support these new devices on the Windows 10 Mobile OS, Micrrosft is including a series of class drivers.

In addition, Windows 10 introduces native support for USB Type-C. Defined in the USB 3.1 specification, the feature empowers devices to leverage (1) a reversible connector, (2) a symmetric cable, (3) faster charging, and (4) Alternate Modes running over the USB cable. This will make it easier for end users to connect devices using USB, use USB chargers to charge their laptops and desktop PCs, and also allow them to project video over the USB connector leveraging Alternate Modes like DisplayPort.

And of course, Windows 10 has enhanced the USB 2.0 and the USB 3.0 drivers to support USB 3.1 devices that operate at SuperSpeedPlus speeds.