HLK Studio crashes on launch with machine pool error on Server 2019 using HLK 10.1.22621.5413

Hello Microsoft team,

I’m preparing for WHQL certification of a legacy kernel-mode fingerprint driver and need guidance on HLK setup for testing on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Current Setup

• HLK Version: 10.1.22621.5413
• Controller OS: Windows Server 2019 Standard (VMware)
• Test Machine OS: Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (Build 22631.5624)
• Firewall: Defender Firewall (Private profile) is Off
• Other Settings: Remote Management & Desktop Enabled, IE ESC Off, Defender AV On, IPv4 DHCP + IPv6, Workgroup, Pacific Time

Issue

HLK Studio crashes on launch with:

MachineException: Could not find a machine pool with the name: $
OMException: 'WIN-SERVER-TEST-2' data store is not found in the 'WIN-SERVER-TEST' enterprise.

Reinstalling and cleaning HLK folders didn’t help.

Working Example

I successfully tested:

• HLK 1607 on Server 2016
• Windows 10 version 2004 as test client

This setup worked, but I need to test both Windows 10 and 11. Why does HLK 1607 work while HLK 10.1.22621.5413 fails?

Questions

1. Recommended Server OS for HLK Controller?
2. Exact HLK versions for Windows 10 & 11 testing?
3. Is HLK version matching mandatory between Controller and Client?
4. Required ADK/WinPE versions for HLK?
5. Causes/remedies for test machine stuck at “Initializing”?
6. HVCI/Memory Integrity requirements for legacy biometric drivers?

I’d appreciate version/build guidance and links to align HLK, ADK, and test environments. Logs available if needed.

Thank you!Hello Microsoft team,

I’m preparing for WHQL certification of a legacy kernel-mode fingerprint driver and need guidance on HLK setup for testing on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Current Setup

• HLK Version: 10.1.22621.5413
• Controller OS: Windows Server 2019 Standard (VMware)
• Test Machine OS: Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (Build 22631.5624)
• Firewall: Defender Firewall (Private profile) is Off
• Other Settings: Remote Management & Desktop Enabled, IE ESC Off, Defender AV On, IPv4 DHCP + IPv6, Workgroup, Pacific Time

Issue

HLK Studio crashes on launch with:

MachineException: Could not find a machine pool with the name: $
OMException: 'WIN-SERVER-TEST-2' data store is not found in the 'WIN-SERVER-TEST' enterprise.

Reinstalling and cleaning HLK folders didn’t help.

Working Example

I successfully tested:

• HLK 1607 on Server 2016
• Windows 10 version 2004 as test client

This setup worked, but I need to test both Windows 10 and 11. Why does HLK 1607 work while HLK Windows 11 HLK 23H2, HLK 22H2 (version 10.1.22621.5413) fails?

Questions

1. Recommended Server OS for HLK Controller?
2. Exact HLK versions for Windows 10 & 11 testing?
3. Is HLK version matching mandatory between Controller and Client?
4. Required ADK/WinPE versions for HLK?
5. Causes/remedies for test machine stuck at “Initializing”?
6. HVCI/Memory Integrity requirements for legacy biometric drivers?

I’d appreciate version/build guidance and links to align HLK, ADK, and test environments. Logs available if needed.

Thank you!