Google Glass and Windows 8.1

I recently received my Google Glass as a part of the Explorer Program. So what was the first thing I tried to do? Connect to it with adb of course. I was anxious to get started with the GDK but, as is commonly the issue, Windows 8.1 chose to not play nicely. Here are the steps I took to get my installation of Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit edition to recognize my Google Glass.

1. Locate the folder containing the Google USB Driver, it will be something similar to this:

   C:\\sdk\extras\google\usb_driver\

2. Edit the file named android_winusb.inf and add the following PID and VID for Google Glass to both the [Google.NTamd64] and [Google.NTx86] sections:

   ;Google Glass
   %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E11&REV_0216
   %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E11&MI_01
   
   %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_9001&REV_0216
   %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_9001&MI_01

3. Disable Driver Signature Verification, excellent instructions can be found on How-To Geek.

4. Open Device Manager and locate your Glass device. Right click the device and select Update Driver Software.

5. Choose “Browse my computer for driver software”.

6. In the prompt labeled “Search for driver software on your computer:” enter the folder containing android_winusb.inf as found in step 1.

7. A Windows Security dialog will pop up, choose “Install this driver software anyway”.

After these steps you should have the drivers install properly. To verify run ‘adb devices’ and you should see your Glass listed. You can now use adb to sideload applications to you device. You can also use Droid@Screen to mirror the Glass display to your PC.

Written by Jason Worley who lives and works in Indianapolis building useful things.