Unlike modern WDKs that integrate seamlessly with the latest VS Community editions, WDK 8.1 is locked to a specific era. You need:
Installing the WDK Build Environment in a Lab - Windows drivers windows driver kit 8.1
Is the Windows Driver Kit 8.1 dead? For brand new products, yes. Microsoft wants you on the Enterprise WDK (EWDK) or the latest standalone kits. Unlike modern WDKs that integrate seamlessly with the
WDK 8.1 introduced the concept of "Universal" drivers. Developers could write a single driver binary that would run on Windows 8.1, Windows Phone 8.1, and Windows Embedded 8.1. This laid the groundwork for the "Windows Driver Frameworks" (KMDF and UMDF) to become platform-agnostic. Microsoft wants you on the Enterprise WDK (EWDK)
The is a specialized software toolset provided by Microsoft to enable the development, testing, and deployment of device drivers for the Windows platform. Released in 2013 alongside Windows 8.1, this kit marked a significant shift in the driver development workflow by fully integrating with Visual Studio 2013 . The Core Purpose of WDK 8.1