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Almost all human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission via blood or tissues that has occurred since anti‐HIV screening was implemented in 1985 is traceable to blood given after infection but before antibody seroconversion, a time that is referred to as the window period. In this study, the performance of newer assays designed to detect viral and serologic markers soon after infection is assessed, and the reduction in the window period achieved by these assays is estimated. Three cohort studies of persons at high risk for acquiring HIV infection were identified. These studies included well‐controlled HIV type 1 (HIV‐1) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses of serial preseroconversion specimens from HIV‐1‐ seroconverting homosexual men or intravenous drug users. Of 81 enrollees with anti‐HIV‐1 seroconversion documented by a viral lysate anti‐HIV‐1 …