A specialized version of Windows XP Embedded is now available for Software Assurance customers, allowing them to extend the useful life of their legacy hardware. Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs is designed to work with the Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection client or third-party thin-client software, such as the Citrix ICA, and allows for a limited number of workloads to be executed locally, including security, management, and terminal emulation software; document viewers; and the .NET Framework. Larger applications (such as Microsoft Office) must be run via terminal services.

Support for older Microsoft OSs is expiring, raising the threat that customers could move to Linux to extend the life of existing computers. With this in mind, Microsoft created Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs to allow customers to repurpose older hardware as terminal services clients, move line-of-business and productivity applications to the server, and install only desired components (such as antivirus software) to minimize on-disk footprint, all while running a supported version of Windows.

The OS will be available for customers with Software Assurance agreements for their Windows desktops. Software Assurance is a software maintenance program that is automatically included in all Enterprise Agreements and is optional on other types of volume licensing agreements.

But because few customers cover Windows clients under Software Assurance, uptake for Windows Fundamentals will probably be minimal. For those who do, however, Windows Fundamentals offers an interesting option for holding off on significant hardware purchases until the more extensive hardware requirements for Windows Vista, such as high-end graphics cards, become standard components of new computers.

Additional information on Software Assurance and Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs is available at www.microsoft.com/licensing/programs/sa/benefits/fundamentals.mspx.

Background on the OS is available in "Windows XP Legacy Hardware Edition" on page 8 of the June 2005 Update.