View source for Software:Windows Embedded Compact

{{Short description|Discontinued embedded operating system by Microsoft}}
{{Infobox OS
| name = Windows CE
| logo = WEC 2012.svg
| screenshot = 
| caption = 
| developer = [[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]
| family = <!--Nothing; this article is about a family-->
| released = {{start date and age|1996|11|16}}
| discontinued = yes
| language = <!--Exactly which?-->
| ui = 
| license = [[Commercial software|Commercial]] [[Proprietary software|proprietary software]]
| succeeded_by = [[Software:Windows IoT|Windows IoT]]
| source_model = {{ubl
|[[Proprietary software|Closed-source]]
|[[Source-available software|Source-available]] (through [[Shared Source Initiative]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS6932977445.html|title=Microsoft opens full Windows CE kernel source.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216190107/http://linuxdevices.com/news/NS6932977445.html|archive-date=February 16, 2009|work=Linux Devices|date=November 1, 2006}}</ref>
}}
| kernel_type = [[Software:Hybrid kernel|Hybrid]]
| supported_platforms = [[X86|x86]], [[32-bit|32-bit]] [[ARM architecture|ARM]], ([[Engineering:SuperH|SuperH]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emacinc.com/operating_systems/windows_ce.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528144239/http://www.emacinc.com/operating_systems/windows_ce.htm|archive-date=May 28, 2010|title=Windows CE overview
}}</ref> up to 6.0 R2, [[MIPS architecture|MIPS]] and [[PowerPC]] were also supported)<ref>{{cite web|title=Windows Embedded CE|url=http://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/evaluate/windows-embedded-ce-6.aspx|work=Microsoft|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|access-date=February 6, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717180230/http://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/evaluate/windows-embedded-ce-6.aspx|archive-date=July 17, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Windows CE Version 2.0 Supported Processors|url=http://microsoft.com/windows/embedded/ce/guide/processors/proc20.asp|url-status=dead|work=Microsoft|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000914080019/http://microsoft.com/windows/embedded/ce/guide/processors/proc20.asp|archive-date=Sep 14, 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Windows CE Version 2.1 Supported Processors|url=http://microsoft.com/windows/embedded/ce/guide/processors/proc21.asp|url-status=dead|work=Microsoft|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000914080014/http://microsoft.com/windows/embedded/ce/guide/processors/proc21.asp|archive-date=Sep 14, 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Windows CE Version 2.11 Supported Processors|url=http://microsoft.com/windows/embedded/ce/guide/processors/proc211.asp|url-status=dead|work=Microsoft|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000914080010/http://microsoft.com/windows/embedded/ce/guide/processors/proc211.asp|archive-date=Sep 14, 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Windows CE Version 2.12 Supported Processors|url=http://microsoft.com/windows/embedded/ce/guide/processors/proc212.asp|url-status=dead|work=Microsoft|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000914080005/http://microsoft.com/windows/embedded/ce/guide/processors/proc212.asp|archive-date=Sep 14, 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Windows CE Version 3.0 Supported Processors|url=http://www.microsoft.com/windows/embedded/ce/guide/processors/proc30.asp|url-status=dead|work=Microsoft|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000619051423/http://www.microsoft.com/windows/embedded/ce/guide/processors/proc30.asp|archive-date=Jun 19, 2000}}</ref>
| latest_release_version = 8.0 (Embedded Compact 2013)
| latest_release_date = {{Start date and age|2023|10|10}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Microsoft announces general availability of Windows Embedded Compact 2013|url=http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/Features/2013/Jun13/06-13EmbeddedCompactGA.aspx|work=Microsoft News Center|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=July 14, 2013}}</ref><ref name=WinCEFAQ>{{cite web|title=Windows CE Migration FAQ|url=https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/iot/windows_ce/windows-ce-migration-faq|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022204619/docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/iot/windows_ce/windows-ce-migration-faq|publisher=Microsoft|date=September 15, 2021|archivedate=October 22, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>
| latest_test_version = 
| latest_test_date = 
| marketing_target = 
| programmed_in = [[C (programming language)|C]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.windowsfordevices.com/c/a/News/Special-Report-Windows-CE-6-arrives-with-100-kernel-source|title=Special Report: Windows CE 6 arrives with 100% kernel source|publisher=windowsfordevices.com|date=November 1, 2006|access-date=July 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820002206/http://www.windowsfordevices.com/c/a/News/Special-Report-Windows-CE-6-arrives-with-100-kernel-source|archive-date=August 20, 2012}}</ref>
| prog_language = 
| updatemodel = 
| package_manager = 
| working_state = 
| support_status = Not supported, see [[Software:Windows Embedded Compact#Releases|§ Releases]] for details.}}
'''Windows Embedded Compact''',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/windows/embedded/default.mspx|title=Windows Embedded Homepage|publisher=Microsoft.com|access-date=November 14, 2010}}</ref> formerly '''Windows Embedded CE''', '''Windows Powered''' and '''Windows CE''', is a discontinued [[Operating system|operating system]] developed by [[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]] for mobile and embedded devices. It was part of the Windows Embedded family and served as the foundation of several classes of devices including the [[Engineering:Handheld PC|Handheld PC]], [[Engineering:Pocket PC|Pocket PC]], Auto PC, [[Software:Windows Mobile|Windows Mobile]], [[Software:Windows Phone 7|Windows Phone 7]] and others.

Unlike Windows Embedded Standard, which is based on [[Software:Windows NT|Windows NT]], Windows Embedded Compact uses a different [[Software:Hybrid kernel|hybrid kernel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ce_base/archive/2007/11/26/how-does-windows-embedded-ce-6.0-start_3f00_.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100708223127/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ce_base/archive/2007/11/26/how-does-windows-embedded-ce-6.0-start_3f00_.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 8, 2010|title=How does Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Start?|work=Windows CE Base Team Blog|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|date=December 18, 2007|access-date=November 14, 2010}}</ref> Microsoft licenses it to [[Finance:Original equipment manufacturer|original equipment manufacturer]]s (OEMs), who can modify and create their own [[User interface|user interface]]s and experiences, with Windows Embedded Compact providing the technical foundation to do so. The current version of Windows Embedded Compact supports [[X86|x86]] and [[ARM architecture|ARM]] processors with [[Board support package|board support package]] (BSP) directly.<ref name=ec2013_bsp>{{cite web|title=Board Support Package (Compact 2013)|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg156127.aspx|work=MSDN|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=July 15, 2013}}</ref> The [[MIPS architecture|MIPS]] and [[Engineering:SuperH|SHx]] architectures had support prior to version 7.0 and version 7.0 still works on MIPS II architecture. <!--MIPS (SH or "kernel" not in the source: the editor was not sure what it was supposed to support here: <ref name=ec2013_oalms>{{cite web|title=OAL Memory Mapping Structures (Compact 2013)|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj823235.aspx|work=MSDN|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=July 15, 2013}}</ref>-->

Windows Embedded Compact 2013 is the final version of Windows CE. It had mainstream support until October 9, 2018, and extended support ended on October 10, 2023; however, license sales for OEMs are continued until 2028.<ref>{{cite web|title=Product Lifecycles & Support for Windows Embedded Products|url=http://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/product-lifecycles.aspx|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150410235645/http://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/product-lifecycles.aspx|publisher=Microsoft|archivedate=April 10, 2015}}</ref><ref name=WinCEFAQ/><ref>{{cite web|title=Windows CE, Microsoft's stunted middle child, reaches end of support at 26 years|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/10/windows-ce-microsofts-stunted-middle-child-reaches-end-of-support-at-26-years/2|website=[[Ars Technica]]|first=Kevin|last=Purdy|date=October 30, 2023|accessdate=January 10, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Windows CE reaches end of life, if not end of sales|url=https://www.theregister.com/2023/10/30/windows_ce_reaches_eol|website=The Register|first=Liam|last=Proven|date=October 30, 2023|accessdate=January 10, 2024}}</ref>

==Features==
[[File:Microsoft Windows CE Version 3.0 (Build 126) cmd.exe Command Prompt 800x574.png|thumb|Pocket CMD v 3.0 (cmd.exe) on Windows CE 3.0]]
Windows CE is optimized for devices that have minimal memory; a Windows CE kernel may run with one megabyte of [[Computer memory|memory]].<ref name=ce_memreq>{{cite web|title=Create or Modify a BSP (Compact 2013)|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj556177.aspx|website=Microsoft Developer Network|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=June 11, 2014}}</ref> Devices are often configured without [[Disk storage|disk storage]], and may be configured as a "closed" system that does not allow for end-user extension (for instance, it can be burned into [[Read-only memory|ROM]]). Windows CE conforms to the definition of a [[Real-time operating system|real-time operating system]], with a deterministic interrupt latency. From Version&nbsp;3 and onward, the system supports 256&nbsp;priority levels<ref>{{cite web|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb202761.aspx|title=Priority Levels|publisher=Msdn.microsoft.com|access-date=November 14, 2010}}</ref> and uses [[Priority inheritance|priority inheritance]] for dealing with [[Priority inversion|priority inversion]]. The fundamental unit of execution is the thread. This helps to simplify the interface and improve execution time.

The first version{{snd}} known during development under the [[Social:Code name|code name]] "Pegasus"{{snd}} featured a Windows-like [[Graphical user interface|GUI]] and a number of Microsoft's popular apps, all trimmed down for smaller storage, memory, and speed of the palmtops of the day. Since then, Windows CE has evolved into a component-based, embedded, real-time operating system. It is no longer targeted solely at hand-held computers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/products/windowsce/technical-specifications.mspx|title=Embedded Platform &#124; Integrated Development Environment (IDE) &#124; Windows CE|publisher=Microsoft.com|access-date=November 14, 2010}}</ref> Many platforms have been based on the core Windows CE operating system, including Microsoft's AutoPC, Pocket PC 2000, Pocket PC 2002, Windows Mobile 2003, Windows Mobile 2003 SE, Windows Mobile 5, Windows Mobile 6, [[Engineering:Smartphone|Smartphone 2002]], [[Engineering:Smartphone|Smartphone 2003]], [[Engineering:Portable Media Center|Portable Media Center]], [[Engineering:Zune|Zune]], [[Software:Windows Phone 7|Windows Phone 7]] and many industrial devices and embedded systems. Windows CE even powered select games for the [[Company:Sega|Sega]] [[Engineering:Dreamcast|Dreamcast]] and was the operating system of the Gizmondo handheld.

A distinctive feature of Windows CE compared to other Microsoft operating systems is that large parts of it are offered in source code form. First, source code was offered to several vendors, so they could adjust it to their hardware. Then products like Platform Builder (an integrated environment for Windows CE OS image creation and integration, or customized operating system designs based on CE) offered several components in source code form to the general public. However, a number of core components that do not need adaptation to specific hardware environments (other than the CPU family) are still distributed in binary only form.

Windows CE 2.11 was the first embedded Windows release to support a console and a Windows CE version of {{mono|[[Software:Cmd.exe|cmd.exe]]}}.<ref>{{Cite book|author=Douglas McConnaughey Boling|year=2001|title=Programming Microsoft Windows CE|edition=2nd|publisher=Microsoft Press|isbn=978-0735614437}}</ref>

==History==
{{plain image with caption|Windows CE logo.svg|Logo of Windows CE, from 1996 to 2000}}
Windows Embedded Compact was formerly known as Windows CE. According to Microsoft, "CE" is not an explicit acronym for anything, although it implies a number of notions that Windows developers had in mind, such as "compact", "connectable", "compatible", "companion" and "efficient".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/166915|title=The Meaning of "CE" in Windows CE launch date|publisher=support.microsoft.com|date=February 14, 2015|access-date=February 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910113022/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/166915|archive-date=2013-09-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.windowsfordevices.com/news/NS5452934855.html|title=Microsoft renames Windows CE, sets CE 6.0 launch date|publisher=windowsfordevices.com|date=September 22, 2006|access-date=July 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104153759/http://www.windowsfordevices.com/news/NS5452934855.html|archive-date=January 4, 2009}}</ref> The name changed once in 2006, with the release of [[Software:Windows Embedded CE 6.0|Windows Embedded CE 6.0]], and again in 2011, with the release of [[Software:Windows Embedded Compact 7|Windows Embedded Compact 7]].

Windows CE was originally announced by Microsoft at the COMDEX expo in 1996 and was demonstrated on stage by [[Biography:Bill Gates|Bill Gates]] and John McGill. Microsoft had been testing Pegasus in early 1995 and released a strict reference platform to several hardware partners. The devices had to have the following minimum hardware specifications:

*SH3, MIPS 3000 or MIPS 4000 CPU
*Minimum of 4 MB of ROM
*Minimum of 2 MB of RAM with a backup power source, such as a CR2032 coin cell battery
*Powered by two AA batteries
*A physical QWERTY keyboard including Ctrl, Alt and Shift keys
*An LCD display of 480×240 pixels with four shades of gray and two bits per pixel with touchscreen that could be operated by either stylus or finger
*An Infrared transceiver
*Serial port
*PC Card slot
*Built in speaker

Devices of the time mainly had 480×240 pixel displays with the exception of the Hewlett-Packard 'Palmtop PC' which had a 640×240 display. Each window took over the full display. Navigation was done by tapping or double tapping on an item. A contextual menu was also available by the user pressing the ALT key and tapping on the screen. Windows CE 1.0 did not include a cascading Start menu, although Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0 did. Microsoft released the Windows CE 1.0 Power Toys that included a cascading menu icon that appeared in the system tray. Also bundled were several other utilities, most notable were a sound applet for the system tray, enabling the user to quickly mute or unmute their device or adjust the volume and a 'pocket' version of Paint.

The release of Windows CE 2.0 was well received. Microsoft learned its lessons from consumer feedback of Windows CE 1.0 and made many improvements to the operating system. The Start menu was a cascading menu, identical to those found on Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0. Color screens were also supported and manufacturers raced to release the first color H/PC. The first to market was Hewlett Packard with the HP 620LX. Windows CE 2.0 also supported a broader range of CPU architectures. Programs could be also installed directly in the OS by double clicking on CAB files. Due to the nature of the ROMs that contained the operating system, users were not able to flash their devices with the newer operating system. Instead manufacturers released upgrade ROMs that users had to physically install in their devices, after removing the previous version. This would usually wipe the data on the device and present the user with the setup wizard upon first boot.

In November 1999, it was reported that Microsoft was planning to rename Windows CE to '''Windows Powered'''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.itprotoday.com/windows-78/cnet-windows-ce-become-windows-powered|title=CNET: Windows CE to become 'Windows powered'|date=December 1999}}</ref> The name only appeared in brand in Handheld PC 2000 and a build of [[Software:Windows 2000|Windows 2000]] Advanced Server for [[Network-attached storage|network-attached storage]] devices (which bears no relation to Windows CE). Various Windows CE 3.0 products announced at CES 2001 were marketed under a "Windows Powered" umbrella name.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.windowsitpro.com/Article/ArticleID/19604/19604.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050419082235/http://www.windowsitpro.com/Article/ArticleID/19604/19604.html|archive-date=April 19, 2005|title=IT Pro}}</ref>

==Development tools==
===Visual Studio===
Microsoft [[Software:Visual Studio|Visual Studio]] 2012, 2013, and 2015 support apps and Platform Builder development for Windows Embedded Compact 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=What's New (Compact 2013)|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg154234.aspx#Anchor_0|website=MSDN|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|access-date=January 24, 2016|ref=compact2013_what_is_new}}</ref>

Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 and earlier support projects for older releases of Windows CE/Windows Mobile, producing executable programs and platform images either as an emulator or attached by cable to an actual mobile device. A mobile device is not necessary to develop a CE program. The .NET Compact Framework supports a subset of the .NET Framework with projects in [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]], and [[Visual Basic (.NET)]], but not [[Managed Extensions for C++|Managed C++]]. "Managed" apps employing the .NET Compact Framework also require devices with significantly larger memories (8&nbsp;[[Megabyte|MB]] or more) while unmanaged apps can still run successfully on smaller devices. In Visual Studio 2010, the Windows Phone Developer Tools are used as an extension, allowing Windows Phone&nbsp;7 apps to be designed and tested within Visual Studio.

===Free Pascal and Lazarus===
[[Software:Free Pascal|Free Pascal]] introduced the Windows CE port in Version&nbsp;2.2.0, targeting ARM and x86 architectures. Later, the Windows CE header files were translated for use with [[Software:Lazarus|Lazarus]], a [[Rapid application development|rapid application development]] (RAD) software package based on Free Pascal. Windows CE apps are designed and coded in the Lazarus [[Integrated development environment|integrated development environment]] (IDE) and compiled with an appropriate [[Cross compiler|cross compiler]].<ref>[http://wiki.lazarus.freepascal.org/WinCE_port WinCE port] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126205741/http://wiki.lazarus.freepascal.org/WinCE_port|date=January 26, 2009}} - Lazarus wiki</ref>

===Platform Builder===
This programming tool is used for building the platform ([[Board support package|BSP]]&nbsp;+ [[Software:Kernel (operating system)|Kernel]]), [[Device driver|device driver]]s (shared source or custom made) and also the apps. This is a one stop environment to get the system up and running. One can also use Platform Builder to export an [[Software development kit|software development kit]] (SDK) for the target [[Engineering:Microprocessor|microprocessor]] ([[Engineering:SuperH|SuperH]], x86, MIPS, ARM etc.) to be used with another associated tool set named below.

===Others===
The [[Embedded system|Embedded]] [[Software:Microsoft Visual C++|Microsoft Visual C++]] (eVC){{snd}} a tool for development of embedded apps for Windows CE. It can be used standalone using the SDK exported from Platform Builder or using the Platform Builder's Platform Manager connectivity setup.

'''CeGcc''' project provides GNU development tools, such as GNU C, GNU C++ and binutils that targeting Windows CE;<ref>{{cite web|title=The CeGCC project: cross compile for Windows CE|url=http://cegcc.sourceforge.net|access-date=2021-06-12}}</ref> 2 SDKs are available to choose from{{snd}} a standard Windows CE platform SDK based on [[Software:MinGW|MinGW]], and a [[Software:Newlib|newlib]]-based SDK which may be easier for porting programs from POSIX systems.<ref>{{cite web|title=Choosing in which environment to develop|url=http://cegcc.sourceforge.net/docs/choosing.html|website=CeGcc|access-date=2021-06-12}}</ref>

CodeGear [[Oxygene (programming language)|Delphi Prism]]{{snd}} runs in Visual Studio, also supports the .NET Compact Framework and thus can be used to develop [[Mobile app|mobile app]]s. It employs the [[Oxygene (programming language)|Oxygene]] compiler created by RemObjects Software, which targets .NET, the .NET Compact Framework, and [[Software:Mono|Mono]]. Its command-line compiler is available free of charge.

[[Basic4ppc]]{{snd}} a [[Programming language|programming language]] similar to [[Embedded Visual Basic]], targets the .NET Compact Framework and supports Windows CE and Windows Mobile devices.

[[Software:GLBasic|GLBasic]]{{snd}} a very easy to learn and use BASIC dialect that compiles for many platforms, including Windows CE and Windows Mobile. It can be extended by writing inline C/C++ code.

[[Software:LabVIEW|LabVIEW]]{{snd}} a graphical programming language, supporting many platforms, including Windows CE.

[http://www.sto-helit.de/index.php?module=page&entry=ms_overview&action=view&menu=29 MortScript]{{snd}} is the semi-standard, extremely lightweight, automation SDK popular with the GPS enthusiasts. Uses the scripts written in its own language, with the syntax being aside to [[VBScript]] or [[JScript]].

[[Software:AutoHotkey|AutoHotkey]]{{snd}} a port of the open source macro-creation and automation software utility available for Windows CE. It allows the construction of macros and simple GUI apps developed by systems analyst Jonathan Maxian Timkang.<ref>[http://www.autohotkey.net/~Micha/AutohotkeyCE/html/index.htm Autohotkey build for CE devices]</ref>

==Relationship to Windows Mobile, Pocket PC, and Smartphone==
<!--{{Wide image}} fits the image with the current window size-->
{{Wide image|Windows CE Timeline.svg|600px|Timeline of Windows CE development|100%|center}}
Often Windows CE, [[Software:Windows Mobile|Windows Mobile]], and [[Engineering:Pocket PC|Pocket PC]] are used interchangeably, in part due to their common origin. This practice is not entirely accurate. Windows CE is a modular/componentized operating system that serves as the foundation of several classes of devices. Some of these modules provide subsets of other components' features (e.g. varying levels of windowing support; [[Distributed Component Object Model|DCOM]] vs [[Component Object Model|COM]]), others which are separate ([[Computer font|bitmap]] or [[TrueType]] font support), and others which add additional features to another component. One can buy a kit (the Platform Builder) which contains all these components and the tools with which to develop a custom platform. Apps such as [[Software:Microsoft Excel#Excel for mobile|Excel Mobile]] (formerly Pocket Excel) are not part of this kit. The older Handheld PC version of Pocket Word and several other older apps are included as samples, however.

Windows Mobile is best described as a subset of platforms based on a Windows CE underpinning. Currently, Pocket PC (now called Windows Mobile Classic), Smartphone (Windows Mobile Standard), and Pocket PC Phone Edition (Windows Mobile Professional) are the three main platforms under the Windows Mobile umbrella. Each platform uses different components of Windows CE, plus supplemental features and apps suited for their respective devices.

Pocket PC and Windows Mobile are Microsoft-defined custom platforms for general PDA use, consisting of a Microsoft-defined set of minimum profiles (Professional Edition, Premium Edition) of software and hardware that is supported. The rules for manufacturing a Pocket PC device are stricter than those for producing a custom Windows CE-based platform. The defining characteristics of the Pocket PC are the [[Engineering:Touchscreen|touchscreen]] as the primary [[Human interface device|human interface device]] and its extremely portable size.

CE 3.0 is the basis for Pocket PC 2000 and Pocket PC 2002. A successor to CE 3.0 is CE.net.<ref name="2000grad-dpa_henrich_poehls"/> "PocketPC &#91;is&#93; a separate layer of code on top of the core Windows CE OS… Pocket PC is based on Windows CE, but it's a different offering." And licensees of Pocket PC are forbidden to modify the WinCE part.<ref name="theregister-030416_pocket_not_wince">{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Tony|title=Why Pocket PC isn't WinCE|publisher=The Register|date=April 16, 2003|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/04/16/why_pocket_pc_isnt_wince|access-date=October 24, 2009}}</ref>

The [[Engineering:Smartphone|Smartphone]] platform is a feature-rich OS and interface for cellular phone handsets. SmartPhone offers productivity features to business users, such as email, and multimedia abilities for consumers. The SmartPhone interface relies heavily on joystick navigation and PhonePad input. Devices running SmartPhone do not include a touchscreen interface. SmartPhone devices generally resemble other cellular handset form factors, whereas most Phone Edition devices use a PDA form factor with a larger display.

==Releases==
<!--Template:Version - for version & release history. Documentation and examples: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Version-->
{|class=wikitable
|-
!Version !! Changes
|-
|style=text-align:center|1.0||Released November 16, 1996.<ref>{{cite news|title=Microsoft Announces Broad Availability of Handheld PCs With Windows CE|agency=Microsoft News Center|date=November 18, 1996|url=http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/1996/Nov96/wincepr.mspx|access-date=June 20, 2011}}</ref> Codename "Pegasus" and "Alder".<ref name="blogs_msdn-763146">{{cite web|last=Hall|first=Mike|title=Windows Embedded Blog: CE 6.0 - why the codename "Yamazaki"&nbsp;?|publisher=MSDN Blogs|date=September 19, 2006|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/mikehall/archive/2006/09/19/763146.aspx|access-date=October 24, 2009}}</ref>
*Devices named "handheld PC" ([[Engineering:Handheld PC|H/PC]])<ref name="2000grad-dpa_henrich_poehls">{{Citation|last=Pöhls|first=Henrich C.|title=Risk Analysis of Mobile Devices with Special Concern of '''Malware''' Contamination|page=27|work=Diploma Thesis|publisher=[[Organization:University of Hamburg|University of Hamburg]]|date=September 5, 2003|url=http://www.2000grad.com/papers/dpa_henrich_poehls.pdf|access-date=October 24, 2009}}</ref>
*4 MB [[Read-only memory|ROM]] minimum
*2 MB [[Random-access memory|RAM]] minimum
1.01 version (1.0a){{snd}} added [[Social:Japanese language|Japanese language]] support.
Unsupported as of December 31, 2001.
|-
|style=text-align:center|2.0||Released September 29, 1997.<ref>{{cite news|title=Microsoft Announces Release of Windows CE 2.0|agency=Microsoft News Center|date=September 29, 1997|url=http://news.microsoft.com/1997/09/29/microsoft-announces-release-of-windows-ce-2-0|access-date=July 27, 2015}}</ref> Codenamed "Birch".<ref name="blogs_msdn-763146"/>
*Devices named "Palm-size PC" (PsPC)<ref name="2000grad-dpa_henrich_poehls"/>
*Real-time deterministic task scheduling
*Architectures: ARM, MIPS, PowerPC, StrongARM, SuperH and x86
*[[Engineering:Color depth|32-bit]] color screens
*SSL 2.0 and SSL 3.0
2.11 version (Palm-Size PC 1.1){{snd}} changed screen resolution to QVGA, added [[Software:Handwriting recognition|handwriting recognition]].
2.11 version (Palm-Size PC 1.2){{snd}} based on Windows CE H/PC 2.11 kernel, removed Pocket Office.
HandeldPC 2.11 version (HandheldPC Professional){{snd}} added small versions of [[Software:Microsoft Access|Microsoft Access]], improved [[Software:Microsoft Office|Microsoft Office]] documents formats support.
Unsupported as of September 30, 2002 for Windows CE 2.11. Mainstream Support ended on September 30, 2003, and Extended Support ended on September 30, 2005, for Windows CE 2.12.
|-
|style=text-align:center|3.0||Released June 15, 2000.<ref>{{cite news|title=Microsoft Announces Availability of Windows CE 3.0|agency=Microsoft News Center|date=June 15, 2000|url=http://news.microsoft.com/2000/06/15/microsoft-announces-availability-of-windows-ce-3-0|access-date=June 20, 2011}}</ref> Codenamed "Cedar"<ref name="blogs_msdn-763146"/> and "Galileo".
*Major recode that made CE hard real time down to the microsecond level
*Base for the Pocket PC 2000, Handheld PC 2000, Pocket PC 2002 and Smartphone 2002<ref name="2000grad-dpa_henrich_poehls"/>
*Priority levels were increased from 8 to 256<ref name="2000grad-dpa_henrich_poehls"/>
*Object store was increased from 65,536 to 4.19 million allowed objects<ref name="2000grad-dpa_henrich_poehls"/>
*Restricted access to critical APIs or restricting write access to parts of the registry<ref name="2000grad-dpa_henrich_poehls"/>
Mainstream Support ended on September 30, 2005, and Extended Support ended on October 9, 2007.
|-
|style=text-align:center|4.x||Released January 7, 2002.<ref>{{cite news|title=Microsoft Launches Windows CE .NET|agency=Microsoft News Center|date=January 7, 2002|url=http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2002/jan02/01-07CENetLaunchPR.mspx|access-date=June 20, 2011}}</ref> Codenamed "Talisker/Jameson/McKendric".<ref name="blogs_msdn-763146"/>
*Integrated with .NET Compact Framework
*Driver structure changed greatly, new features added
*Base for "Pocket PC 2003"<ref name="2000grad-dpa_henrich_poehls"/>
*[[Flash memory]] and [[Bluetooth]] support<ref name="2000grad-dpa_henrich_poehls"/><ref name="pencomputing_com-dotnet">{{cite news|last=Walker|first=Geoff|title=Windows CE .Net: Microsoft's successor to Windows CE 3.0|publisher=Pen Computing Magazine|date=January 7, 2002|url=http://www.pencomputing.com/WinCE/dotnet.html|access-date=October 24, 2009}}</ref>
*HID devices and standardized keyboards support
*TLS (SSL 3.1), IPsec L2TP VPN, or Kerberos<ref name="2000grad-dpa_henrich_poehls"/>
*Pocket Office was reduced to [[Software:WordPad|WordPad]]
*Separation to two editions{{snd}} Core (only shell) and Professional (with Microsoft Accessories)
*In addition to the older PocketIE browser, [[Software:Internet Explorer Mobile|Internet Explorer Mobile]] was available with near 100% page compatibility to its [[Software:Internet Explorer 5|IE 5.5]] desktop cousin.
*With Windows CE.net 4.2, a new [[Software:Windows shell|shell]] was provided with [[Software:Internet Explorer|Internet Explorer]] integration
Mainstream Support ended on July 10, 2007, and Extended Support ended on July 10, 2012, for Windows CE 4.0, Mainstream Support ended on January 8, 2008, and Extended Support ended on January 8, 2013, for Windows CE 4.1 and Mainstream Support ended on July 8, 2008, and Extended Support ended on July 9, 2013, for Windows CE 4.2.
|-
|style=text-align:center|[[Software:Windows CE 5.0|5.x]]||Released in August 2004.<ref name="blogs_msdn-763146"/> Adds many new features. Codenamed "Macallan"<ref name="blogs_msdn-763146"/>
*Added automatic reporting for manufacturers<ref name="theregister-040329_readies_wince">{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Tony|title=MS readies WinCE 5.0 preview|publisher=The Register|date=March 29, 2004|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/03/29/ms_readies_wince|access-date=October 24, 2009}}</ref>
*Direct3D Mobile, a COM-based version of Windows XP's DirectX multimedia API<ref name="theregister-040329_readies_wince"/>
*DirectDraw for 2D graphics and DirectShow for camera and video digitisation support<ref name="theregister-040329_readies_wince"/>
*Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) support<ref name="seditaville_com-History_MS_Mobile_v2">{{cite web|title=The History of the PDA|format=DOC|url=http://seditaville.com/academic/summary/The%20History%20of%20Microsoft%20Mobile%20OS(Ver%202).doc|access-date=May 17, 2009|archive-date=March 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322204407/http://seditaville.com/academic/summary/The%20History%20of%20Microsoft%20Mobile%20OS(Ver%202).doc|url-status=dead}} 090517 seditaville.com</ref>
*The "Pro" version contains the Internet Explorer browser and [[Software:Windows Media Player|Windows Media Player]] 9
Mainstream Support ended on October 13, 2009 and Extended Support ended on October 14, 2014.
|-
|style=text-align:center|6.0||Released in September 2006. Codenamed "Yamazaki".<ref name="blogs_msdn-763146"/>
*Process address space is increased from 32&nbsp;MB to 2&nbsp;[[Gigabyte|GB]];<ref name="msdn_ce6_memory">{{cite web|title=Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Advanced Memory Management|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb331824.aspx}} Retrieved May 25, 2011</ref> each process now has its own [[Virtual memory|virtual memory]] map (all processes shared a VM map in CE 5.0)<ref>https://courses.washington.edu/cp105/_downloads/Windows_CE_Architecture.pdf; identical to https://download.microsoft.com/documents/australia/medc2006/windows_ce6_architecture_boling.ppt</ref>
*Number of processes has been increased from 32 to 32,768<ref name="embedded_net_nz-embedded_intro_ses">{{cite web|last=Leckie|first=Andrew|title=Introduction to Microsoft embedded technologies - Session 1|format=PPT, 10&nbsp;MB|publisher=Embedded .NET User Group|location=New Zealand|date=March 25, 2008|url=http://www.embedded.net.nz/Presentations%20PPT%20%20PDF/Embedded%20Introduction%20-%20Session%201.ppt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724195514/http://www.embedded.net.nz/Presentations%20PPT%20%20PDF/Embedded%20Introduction%20-%20Session%201.ppt|archive-date=July 24, 2011}}<!--This looks like a date, so don't remove: 090517--></ref>
*User mode and kernel mode device drivers are possible
*512&nbsp;MB physically managed memory
*Device.exe, filesys.exe, GWES.exe have been moved to Kernel mode
*Cellcore
*SetKMode and set process permissions no longer possible
*System call performance improved<ref name="windowsfordevices-AT9457847627">{{cite web|last=Babu|first=K. Ashok|title=Differences between Windows CE 5.0 and Windows CE 6.0|website=WindowsForDevices.com|date=November 22, 2006|url=http://www.windowsfordevices.com/c/a/Windows-For-Devices-Articles/Differences-between-Windows-CE-50-and-Windows-CE-60|access-date=October 24, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716194951/http://www.windowsfordevices.com/c/a/Windows-For-Devices-Articles/Differences-between-Windows-CE-50-and-Windows-CE-60|archive-date=July 16, 2012}}</ref>
*the platform builder requires Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 with Service Pack 1 installed.
Mainstream Support ended on April 9, 2013, and Extended Support ended on April 10, 2018.
|-
|style=text-align:center|[[Software:Windows Embedded Compact 7|7.0]]||Released in March 2011.
*Support for x86, SH (automotive only) and ARM.
*Multi-core CPU support (SMP).
*Wi-Fi Positioning System.
*Bluetooth 3.0 + HS support.
*Digital Living Network Alliance ([[Organization:DLNA|DLNA]]).
*[[Engineering:Digital rights management|DRM]] technology.
*Media Transfer Protocol.
*Windows Phone&nbsp;7 IE with Flash&nbsp;10.1 support.
*[[Network Driver Interface Specification|NDIS]]&nbsp;6.1 support.
*UX C++ XAML API using technologies like Windows Presentation Foundation and Silverlight for attractive and functional user interfaces.
*Modernized graphics based on OpenGL ES 2.0.
*Advanced touch and gesture input.
*Kernel support for 3&nbsp;GB physical RAM and supports ARMv7 assembly.
*the platform builder requires Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 with Service Pack 1 installed.
Mainstream Support ended on April 12, 2016, and Extended Support ended on April 13, 2021.
|-
|style=text-align:center|8.0<br>(2013)||Released in June 2013
*[[DHCPv6]] client with stateful/stateless address configuration.<ref name=ce2013wn>{{cite web|title=What's New (Compact 2013)|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg154234.aspx|work=MSDN|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=July 15, 2013}}</ref>
*L2TP/[[IPsec]] over IPv6 for VPN connectivity.<ref name=ce2013wn/>
*Snapshot boot.<ref name=ce2013wn/>
*Improved XAML data binding and Expression Blend support.<ref name=ce2013wn/>
*[[Out of memory|OOM]] Model improvements from 7.<ref name=ce2013wn/>
*HTML help viewer added.<ref name=ce2013wn/>
*The previously default desktop shell has been eliminated.
*the platform builder requires Microsoft Visual Studio 2012, 2013 or 2015 installed.
Mainstream Support ended on October 9, 2018, and Extended Support ended on October 10, 2023.
|}

==See also==
{{div col}}
*[[Software:ActiveSync|ActiveSync]]
*[[Engineering:Handheld PC|Handheld PC]]
*Handheld PC Explorer
*List of Windows CE Devices
*Microsoft Kin
*Modular Windows
*Palm-size PC
*[[Engineering:Pocket PC|Pocket PC]]
*[[Engineering:Portable Media Center|Portable Media Center]]
*[[Engineering:Microsoft Tablet PC|Tablet PC]]
*[[Software:Windows Phone|Windows Phone]]
*[[Engineering:Zune HD|Zune HD]]
*[[Engineering:Dreamcast|Dreamcast]]
*[[Software:Windows Mobile|Windows Mobile]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms836535.aspx Benchmarking Real-time Determinism in Microsoft Windows CE]
*[http://www.hpcfactor.com/qlink/?linkID=20 A Brief History of Windows CE], by HPC:Factor with screenshots of the various versions
*{{cite web|url=http://www.hpcarchive.info|title=Site hosted by Windows CE|access-date=July 23, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050311103022/http://www.hpcarchive.info|archive-date=March 11, 2005}}, Archived copy of website hosted by Handheld PC
*[http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/xpehelp/html/xeconAboutWindowsXPEmbeddedTop.asp Windows XP Embedded on MSDN]
*[http://blogs.msdn.com/mikehall Mike Hall's Windows Embedded Blog]

{{Microsoft Windows family}}
{{Microsoft operating systems}}
{{Real-time operating systems}}
[[Category:ARM operating systems]]

{{Sourceattribution|Windows Embedded Compact}}