Updated: April 14, 2022 (September 26, 2020)

Windows Embedded OS Timeline

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

Microsoft offers a variety of technologies including embedded OSs to create specialized, power-efficient, and often portable devices. Some of these technologies are derived from the legacy Windows CE OS; others from versions of Windows 10. Finally, there are services that exist to support the transition from technologies currently in Extended support to newer offerings or to allow ongoing support. These technologies include the following:

Windows Embedded Handheld was Microsoft’s platform for building enterprise handheld devices using Windows Mobile 6.5, which became generally available in 2010 and left Extended support in Jan. 2020.

Windows Embedded Compact 7 became generally available in Mar. 2011 for ARM, MIPS, and x86 processors and was the underlying OS for several battery-powered, lightweight portable devices that needed support for multicore and symmetric multiprocessing. It leaves Extended support in Apr. 2021.

Windows Embedded 8.1 Pro and Industry were highly customizable editions of Windows 8.1 for specialized devices with x86- and x64-based processors. Windows Embedded 8.1 Pro and Industry both became generally available in Nov. 2013. Windows Embedded 8.1 Pro leaves Extended support in Oct. 2023, and Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry leaves Extended support in July 2023.

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