The Windows Hardware Compatibility List, commonly referred to as Windows HCL, is essentially a list of hardware devices that are compatible with a particular version of a Microsoft Windows operating system.
Windows 11 Hardware Requirements: How to Tell if Your Device is Compatible
Once a device has completed the Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) process, the manufacturer is allowed to use the “Certified for Windows” logo (or something very similar) in its advertising and the device can be listed in the Windows HCL.
This list is usually simply referred to as Windows HCL, but you may also see it under different names, such as HCL, Windows Compatibility Center, Windows Compatibility Product List, Windows Catalog, or Windows Logo'd Product List.
In most cases, the HCL serves as a useful reference when purchasing hardware for a computer on which you plan to install a newer version of Windows. You can generally assume that most PC hardware will be compatible with an existing version of Windows, but you may want to check its compatibility with a version of Windows that has been on the market for a while.
