Technical Article Overview of Windows Embedded Versions Summary: Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have several embedded options, and they may be unsure of which version of Windows Embedded best meets their needs. To help guide OEMs in their selection process, we have created this introductory guide to Windows Embedded. In this document, we discuss the various versions of Windows Embedded. We also describe their features, provide comparative scenarios, and discuss approaches to prototyping. Published: October 2015 Applies to: All currently supported Windows Embedded operating systems (c) 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. This document is provided "as-is." Information and views expressed in this document, including URL and other Internet Web site references, may change without notice. You bear the risk of using it. This document does not provide you with any legal rights to any intellectual property in any Microsoft product. You may copy and use this document for your internal, reference purposes. Table of Contents Overview ....................................................................................................................................................... 5 In Scope ..................................................................................................................................................... 5 Out of Scope .............................................................................................................................................. 5 Windows CE/Windows Embedded Compact ........................................................................................ 5 Windows Embedded Handheld ............................................................................................................ 6 .NET Micro Framework ......................................................................................................................... 6 Windows NT Embedded........................................................................................................................ 6 Windows ‘For Embedded Systems’ ....................................................................................................... 6 Windows Embedded Versions ...................................................................................................................... 6 Windows XP-Based OS .............................................................................................................................. 7 Windows XP Embedded (XPe)/Windows Embedded Standard 2009 ................................................... 8 Windows Embedded Point of Service/POSReady 2009 ........................................................................ 8 Windows 7-Based OS ................................................................................................................................ 9 Windows Embedded Standard 7 .......................................................................................................... 9 Windows Embedded POSReady 7 ......................................................................................................... 9 Windows Thin-PC ................................................................................................................................ 10 Windows 8/8.1-Based OS ....................................................................................................................... 10 Windows Embedded 8 Standard ........................................................................................................ 10 Windows Embedded 8/8.1 Industry ................................................................................................... 10 Windows 10-Based OS ............................................................................................................................ 10 Windows 10 Enterprise/Windows 10 IoT Enterprise .......................................................................... 11 Windows 10 IoT Core .......................................................................................................................... 11 For Embedded Systems ........................................................................................................................... 11 Purchasing and Licensing ........................................................................................................................ 12 Support Lifecycle ..................................................................................................................................... 12 Windows Embedded Enabling Features ..................................................................................................... 13 Write Filters ............................................................................................................................................ 13 Enhanced Write Filter ............................................................................................................................. 14 EWF-RAM for Read-Only Systems ....................................................................................................... 15 EWF-HORM for Quicker Boot .............................................................................................................. 16 EWF API ............................................................................................................................................... 17 File-Based Write Filter............................................................................................................................. 17 2 Common FBWF Scenarios ................................................................................................................... 17 FBWF API ............................................................................................................................................. 17 Unified Write Filter ................................................................................................................................. 18 Common Usage and Design Considerations ....................................................................................... 18 Unified Write Filter WMI Provider Reference..................................................................................... 18 Registry Filter .......................................................................................................................................... 18 Shell Launcher ......................................................................................................................................... 19 Keyboard Filter ........................................................................................................................................ 20 Gesture Filter .......................................................................................................................................... 20 USB Filter ................................................................................................................................................. 21 Embedded Lockdown Manager .............................................................................................................. 21 Assigned Access ...................................................................................................................................... 22 Windows 8 Application Launcher ........................................................................................................... 22 AppLocker ............................................................................................................................................... 22 Common Usage Scenarios .......................................................................................................................... 22 Kiosk Device ............................................................................................................................................ 22 Gaming .................................................................................................................................................... 23 Medical.................................................................................................................................................... 23 Military .................................................................................................................................................... 24 Space or Extremely Remote Locations ................................................................................................... 24 Thin Client Terminals .............................................................................................................................. 24 Point of Sale Terminals ........................................................................................................................... 25 Embedded System Prototyping and Development..................................................................................... 25 Hardware Validation ............................................................................................................................... 25 Virtual Machines ................................................................................................................................. 26 HDD vs. SSD Performance Considerations .......................................................................................... 26 Third-Party Drivers .................................................................................................................................