Manufacturers building Windows-based devices can now obtain Windows XP Embedded with Service Pack 2 (SP2). This update to Microsoft's platform for custom Windows-based devices, such as retail point-of-sale devices or personal video recorders, includes security, network, and management improvements, as well as new features for multimedia and consumer devices.

The Dec. 2004 release meets Microsoft's stated goal of updating Windows XP Embedded within 90 days of updating Windows XP Professional. Major improvements include the following:

Security improvements. Windows XP Embedded with SP2 turns on the Windows Firewall by default and includes all of the SP2 improvements made to Internet Explorer, such as pop-up window blocking. In addition, Microsoft partners such as Computer Associates (CA) and Sygate are providing componentized versions of their antivirus and intrusion-prevention security solutions that device manufacturers can include in their embedded OS images.

Network improvements. Windows XP Embedded with SP2 includes the Remote Desktop Protocol version 5.2, which allows a "thin-client" embedded device to access applications hosted on a server. The service pack also supports Bluetooth for connecting peripherals, such as keyboards, mice, and printers.

Management improvements. Software Update Services (SUS) and its follow-on Windows Update Services (WUS), which is due in 2005, can automatically deploy patches to Windows XP Embedded with SP2. Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 Advanced Client can also be used to distribute security updates and patches and enables organizations to remotely distribute and update applications.

New features. Windows XP Embedded with SP2 includes DirectX 9 support, which makes it easier for developers to create applications that use video and audio (for example, a music-sampling application used at a retail kiosk), and a quick-boot feature that reduces start-up or shut-down time, a key requirement for embedded devices.

Microsoft has also announced that it will increase the number of supported languages to 25 in early 2005, matching the number of languages supported by Windows XP Professional’s Multilingual User Interface (MUI). Today, Windows XP Embedded with SP2 is available in English, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Acknowledging that Windows XP SP2 was a major update, Microsoft will also continue to support Windows XP Embedded with Service Pack 1 through Oct. 2006, rather than Oct. 2005 as originally stated.

Resources

Device manufacturers and developers who want to evaluate Windows XP Embedded with SP2 can download an evaluation version from msdn.microsoft.com/embedded/windowsxpembedded/default.aspx.

For a summary of what’s new in Windows XP Embedded with SP2, see msdn.microsoft.com/embedded/usewinemb/xp/security/sp2/default.aspx.

Details on support of Windows XP Embedded with SP2 are documented at msdn.microsoft.com/embedded/support/lifecycle/newlifecyc/default.aspx.