Windows Embedded

Windows Embedded is a family of Operating Systems from Microsoft designed for use in embedded systems. Microsoft makes available four different categories of Operating Systems for embedded devices targeting a wide market, ranging from small-footprint, real-time devices to Point of Sale devices like kiosks. Windows Embedded operating systems are available to OEM system builders only, who make it available to end users pre-loaded with the hardware.

The Windows Embedded family

Windows Embedded Compact

Windows Embedded Compact (previously known as Windows Embedded CE or Windows CE)cite web | publisher = Microsoft PressPass | url = http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2008/apr08/04-15RoadMapEmbeddedPR.mspx | title = Microsoft Charts Its Road Map for Windows Embedded Business | accessdate = 2008-04-17] is the version of Windows Embedded for minimalistic computers and embedded systems, including consumer electronics devices like Set-top boxes and gaming consoles. Windows Embedded Compact is a modular real-time operating system with a specialized kernel that can run in under 1 MB of memory. It comes with the "Platform Builder" tool that can be used to add modules to the installation image to create a custom installation, depending on the device used. Windows Embedded Compact is available for ARM, MIPS, SuperH and x86 processor architectures.cite web | url = http://www.microsoft.com/windows/embedded/products/whichproduct/default.mspx | title = Which Windows Embedded Product is Right for Me? | accessdate = 2008-04-17]

Microsoft also makes available a specialized version of Windows Embedded Compact, known as Windows Mobile, for use in mobile phones. It is a customized image of Windows Embedded Compact along with specialized modules for use in Mobile phones.

Windows Embedded Standard

Windows Embedded Standard, due in 2008, refers to the next release for Windows XP Embedded, the fully componentized version of Windows XP Professional and the successor to Windows NT 4.0 Embedded. It provides the full Win32 API and is available for x86 processors.

Windows Embedded Enterprise

Windows Embedded Enterprise brand of Windows Embedded Operating Systems consist of Windows XP for Embedded Systems and Windows Vista for Embedded Systems, which are the same versions of the OSs as are available in retail but are licensed exclusively for use in embedded devices. They are available for both x86 as well as x64 processors.

Windows Embedded POSReady

Windows Embedded POSReady is the brand of Windows Embedded Operating Systems for Point of sale systems, including sales kiosks and automatic vending machines. Currently, this brand is limited to the Windows Embedded for Point of Service Operating System, which is based on Windows XP Embedded.

References

External links

* [http://www.microsoft.com/windows/embedded/default.mspx Windows Embedded]