Windows MIDI Services brings MIDI 2.0, multi-client (multiple apps using the same device) MIDI 1.0, app-to-app MIDI, faster USB transports, built-in loopback MIDI, and much more. The Runtime and tools enable applications to use this new API, and for you to be able to configure, customize, and troubleshoot your MIDI setup.
From your Start menu, choose the Windows Settings app (icon looks like a gear). Then click on System, and scroll down to About. Under "Device specifications” you will see “System type”. That will say something like “64-bit operating system, x64-based processor" or "64-bit operating system, Arm64-based processor" or similar. That tells you which version to download.
When you install the Windows MIDI Services runtime and tools, you will get these features and tools.
NOTE: During development, the only supported version of Windows is Windows 11 Insider Canary releases.
The Windows MIDI Services runtime and tools requires Windows 11 with the Windows MIDI Service, plugins, and USB driver pre-installed from Microsoft.
The Windows MIDI Services preview service and plugins for developers requires Windows 11 with Developer Mode switched on in the Windows Settings app. For use with MIDI 2.0 devices, the service and plugins must be installed on a version of Windows which already has the MIDI 2.0 driver and USB stack enhancements in-place.
Any preview transport plugins, such as the Network MIDI 2.0 Service plugin, require an existing working Windows MIDI Services installation, as well as Developer Mode switched on in the Windows Settings app.
Windows MIDI Services is an open source project with all source available on GitHub. We have a great community on Discord as well. Between GitHub and Discord, you should find the information you are looking for.
