Updated: July 13, 2020 (March 21, 2011)

Windows OS Comparisons

Michael analyzed and wrote about Microsoft's operating systems, including the Windows client OS, as well as compliance and governance. Michael... more

Chart details differences between various Windows OSs, including Windows Embedded Compact, Windows Embedded Standard, Windows 7, and the next version of Windows (called Windows 8 here).

While a tablet or slate computer could be built on Windows Embedded Compact, Microsoft’s strategy is that tablets should be built on the current Windows client. Windows 7 does support Ink, speech, touch, multitouch, and gestures and can run a full version of Office; however, Windows 7 tablets so far have not offered the light weight, portability, and long battery life of Apple’s iPad.

When Windows 8 is released, Windows Embedded Compact will no longer be the only version of Windows that runs on ARM processors, which are widely used in mobile devices; but it will still be the only version that offers real-time, deterministic response to interrupts.

	Feature	Windows Embedded Compact 7	Windows Embedded Standard 7	Windows 7	Windows 8
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