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Microsoft previews Windows Embedded Standard
Jun. 04, 2008

Microsoft has released a downloadable beta version of its newly renamed embedded operating system for x86-based devices. Formerly known as Windows XP Embedded, Windows Embedded Standard combines Windows XP codebase updates with new versions of Internet Explorer, RDP (remote desktop protocol), Windows Media Player, and .NET.

The Redmond Giant announced at April's Embedded Systems Conference (ESC) that it would simplify the names of its embedded operating systems and give them year-based versioning. For example, Windows Embedded CE, which runs not only on x86 but also on ARM, MIPS, and SuperH processors, will be renamed "Windows Embedded Compact" upon its next major release.


The Windows Embedded Standard installer
(Click to enlarge)

Per today's announcement, the Windows XP Embedded moniker is headed for retirement, as Microsoft's premier, x86-based embedded operating system becomes known as Windows Embedded Standard. The product is still based on the Windows XP codebase, not Vista. A "componentized" version of Vista -- required to enable embedded developers to whittle down storage, memory, and CPU requirements, while tightening security and reliability -- will not be released for several years, company officials have previously stated.

Despite this, Windows Embedded Standard represents more than just a name change. For starters, it provides customers with Service Pack 3 (SP3), a collection of updates that were previously released for standard desktop editions of Windows XP. SP3 includes new "black hole" router detection, easier-to-use security, and a new cryptographic module, according to Microsoft. (For more details of SP3, see our earlier coverage, here.)

As part of the SP3 revisions, Windows Embedded Standard gains Network Access Protection (NAP), a network policy enforcement platform that was previously included in both Vista and Windows Server 2008. NAP allows creating "customized health policies" to validate computer functions before allowing network access, and optionally confining non-compliant computers to a restricted network until they become compliant, according to the company.

Windows Embedded Standard also includes the following additional features, according to Microsoft:
  • Internet Explorer 7, for tabbed web browsing
  • Windows Media Player 11, with a new interface for media playback
  • Silverlight, the cross-browser, cross-platform multimedia plugin
  • The .NET Framework 3.5 programming foundation
  • Remote Desktop Protocol version 6.1, for connecting remotely to Windows Vista-based PCs
In addition, Windows Embedded Standard includes componentized drivers for Intel's latest x86 processor architectures, such as the Centrino Atom. Though the operating system might not be based on Windows Vista code, it will not fall behind when it comes to providing access to new technologies, promised Olivier Bloch, Windows Embedded evangelist for Microsoft. "Peripheral manufacturers are still very busy developing support for Windows XP, and will be for some time," he noted.


The CTP of Windows Embedded Standard is a 4.3GB download
(Click to enlarge)

The CTP (community technology preview) beta of Windows Embedded Standard -- available today in the form of a downloadable .ISO DVD image -- provides "a fully functional toolset with no limitation in features," according to Bloch. He added that some of its features may be time-limited, but provided no further specifics, other than observing that most Microsoft trials expire after 120 days. WindowsForDevices.com found no documentation relating to time limits on the CTP disk, and our copy continued to run fine after the OS's clock was set forward to September 2008.

Further information

A final release of Windows Embedded Standard will take place in the fourth quarter, Microsoft says. Until then, Windows XP Embedded (XPe) remains on sale. Customers who purchase XPe between now and September 2008 will be eligible for a free upgrade, according to the company.

To download the Windows Embedded Standard CTP, go to Microsoft's website, here.



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