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Windows IoT
Embedded operating system by Microsoft

Windows IoT, short for Windows Internet of Things and formerly known as Windows Embedded, is a family of operating systems from Microsoft designed for use in embedded systems. Microsoft has three different subfamilies of operating systems for embedded devices targeting a wide market, ranging from small-footprint, real-time devices to point of sale (POS) devices like kiosks. Windows Embedded operating systems are available to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), who make it available to end users preloaded with their hardware, in addition to volume license customers in some cases.

In April 2018, Microsoft released Azure Sphere, another operating system designed for IoT applications running on the Linux kernel.

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The IoT family

See also: Windows 10 editions and Windows 11 editions

Microsoft rebranded "Windows Embedded" to "Windows IoT" starting with the release of embedded editions of Windows 10.

Enterprise

Windows IoT Enterprise is a binary equivalent version of Windows 10 and 11 Enterprise designed for use in embedded applications. It replaces both Embedded Industry and Embedded Standard, as well as Embedded FES (known simply as "Windows Embedded" since Windows 8/8.1). It functions exactly the same, even including all of its components and features, but is licensed exclusively for use in embedded devices.1 Plain unlabeled, Retail/Thin Client, Tablet, and Small Tablet SKUs are available, again differing only in licensing.

While remaining identical to their non-IoT counterparts, the later versions added a minor change that allows the use of smaller storage devices, with the possibility of more changes being made in the future.23 In addition, starting with the LTSC edition of version 21H2, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC will gain an extra five years of support compared to Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC.4

Mobile

Windows 10 IoT Mobile, also known as Windows 10 IoT Mobile Enterprise, is a binary equivalent of Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise that functions exactly the same, except that it is licensed for IoT applications. It is unsupported as of January 14, 2020.56

Core

Windows 10 IoT Core is a cut-down version of Windows 10 that is considered by some to be the successor to Windows Embedded Compact, however it maintains very little compatibility with it. Optimized for smaller and lower-cost industry devices, it is also provided free of charge for use in devices like the Raspberry Pi for hobbyist use.

Core Pro

Windows 10 IoT Core Pro provides the ability to defer and control updates and is licensed only via distributors; it is otherwise identical to the normal IoT Core edition.

Server

Windows Server IoT 2019 is a full, binary equivalent version7 of Windows Server 2019, intended to aggregate data from many 'things'.8 Like the IoT Enterprise variants, it remains identical in behavior to its regularly licensed counterpart, but differs only in licensing terms. It also is offered in both LTSC and SAC options.

Embedded family

Embedded Compact

Main article: Windows CE

Windows Embedded Compact (previously known as Windows Embedded CE or Windows CE)9 is the variant of Windows Embedded for very small computers and embedded systems, including consumer electronics devices like set-top boxes and video game consoles. Windows Embedded Compact is a modular real-time operating system with a specialized kernel that can run in under 1 MB of memory. It comes with the Platform Builder tool that can be used to add modules to the installation image to create a custom installation, depending on the device used. Windows Embedded Compact is available for ARM, MIPS, SuperH and x86 processor architectures.10

Microsoft made available a specialized variant of Windows Embedded Compact, known as Windows Mobile, for use in mobile phones. It is a customized image of Windows Embedded Compact along with specialized modules for use in Mobile phones. Windows Mobile was available in four editions: Windows Mobile Classic (for Pocket PC), Windows Mobile Standard (for smartphones) and Windows Mobile Professional (for PDA/Pocket PC Phone Edition) and Windows Mobile for Automotive (for communication/entertainment/information systems used in automobiles). Modified variants of Windows Mobile were used for Portable Media Centers. In 2010, Windows Mobile was replaced by Windows Phone 7, which was also based on Windows Embedded Compact, but was not compatible with any previous products.

Windows Embedded Compact 201311 is a real-time operating system which runs on ARM, x86, SH, and derivatives of those architectures. It included .NET Framework, UI framework, and various open source drivers and services as 'modules'.12

Embedded Standard

See also: Windows NT 4.0 Embedded and Windows XP Embedded

Windows Embedded Standard is the brand of Windows Embedded operating systems designed to provide enterprises and device manufacturers the freedom to choose which capabilities will be part of their industry devices and intelligent system solutions,[buzzword] intended to build ATMs and devices for the healthcare and manufacturing industries, creating industry-specific devices. This brand consists of Windows NT 4.0 Embedded, Windows 2000 Embedded, Windows XP Embedded, Windows Embedded Standard 2009 (WES09), Windows Embedded Standard 7 (WES7, known as Windows Embedded Standard 2011 prior to release), and Windows Embedded 8 Standard. It provides the full Win32 API.13 Windows Embedded Standard 2009 includes Silverlight, .NET Framework 3.5, Internet Explorer 7, Windows Media Player 11, RDP 6.1, Network Access Protection, Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer and support for being managed by Windows Server Update Services and System Center Configuration Manager.14

Windows Embedded Standard 7 is based on Windows 7 and was previously codenamed Windows Embedded 'Quebec'.15 Windows Embedded Standard 7 includes Windows Vista and Windows 7 features16 such as Aero, SuperFetch, ReadyBoost, Windows Firewall, Windows Defender, address space layout randomization, Windows Presentation Foundation, Silverlight 2, Windows Media Center among several other packages. It is available in IA-32 and x64 variants and was released in 2010. It has a larger minimum footprint (~300 MB) compared to 40 MB of XPe and also requires product activation.17 Windows Embedded Standard 7 was released on April 27, 2010.18 Windows Embedded 8 Standard was released on March 20, 2013.1920 IE11 for this edition of Windows 8 was released in April 2019, with support for IE10 ending on January 31, 2020.21222324

For Embedded Systems (FES)

See also: Windows XP for Embedded Systems and Windows Vista for Embedded Systems

Windows For Embedded Systems is a brand of Windows Embedded that consists of binary identical variants of the editions as are available in retail and function exactly the same as their regular counterparts, but licensed exclusively for use in embedded devices.25 This brand consists of binary equivalent versions of Windows for Workgroups 3.11, Windows 95, 98, Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows Me, Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista Business and Ultimate, Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate, Windows 8 Pro and Enterprise, and Windows 8.1 Pro and Enterprise.

Originally, these editions simply had Embedded tacked onto the end of the SKU name until sometime around the release of Windows XP when the naming scheme changed to For Embedded Systems (FES). Examples of this former approach include Windows for Workgroups 3.11 Embedded, Windows NT 4.0 Workstation Embedded, Windows 2000 Professional Embedded and Windows Me Embedded. Microsoft changed the moniker for FES products again starting with some Windows 8/8.1 based SKUs, simply labeling them as Windows Embedded before the Windows version and edition. Two examples of this are Windows Embedded 8 Pro and Windows Embedded 8.1 Enterprise.26

Server

Windows Embedded Server FES products are binary identical to that of regular Windows Server versions but licensed for embedded use, similar to Windows Embedded FES. This subseries include Windows Server, Windows Home Server, SQL Server, Storage Server, DPM Server, ISA Server, UAG Server, TMG Server, Unified Data Storage Server, etc. of various years, including Windows 2000 Server, Server 2003, Server 2003 R2, Servers 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, Server 2008, Server 2008 R2, Server 2012, Server 2012 R2, etc.

Embedded Industry

Main article: Windows Embedded Industry

Windows Embedded Industry is the brand of Windows Embedded operating systems for industry devices and once only for point of sale systems. This brand was originally limited to the Windows Embedded for Point of Service operating system released in 2006, which is based on Windows XP with SP2.27 Since, Microsoft has released an updated version of Windows Embedded for Point of Service named Windows Embedded POSReady 2009, this time based on Windows XP with SP3. In 2011 Windows Embedded 7 POSReady based on Windows 7 SP1 was released, which succeeded POSReady 2009. Microsoft has since changed the name of this product from "Windows Embedded POSReady" to "Windows Embedded Industry". Microsoft released Windows Embedded 8 Industry in April 2013, followed by 8.1 Industry in October 2013.

Embedded NAVReady

Windows Embedded NAVReady, also known as Navigation Ready, is a plug-in component for Windows CE 5.0. It is intended to be useful for building portable handheld navigation devices.

Embedded Automotive

Main article: Windows Embedded Automotive

Windows Embedded Automotive, formerly Microsoft Auto, Windows CE for Automotive, Windows Automotive, and Windows Mobile for Automotive, is an embedded operating system based on Windows CE for use on computer systems in automobiles. The latest release, Windows Embedded Automotive 7 was announced on October 19, 2010.2829

Embedded Handheld

See also: Windows Mobile § Embedded Handheld

On January 10, 2011, Microsoft announced Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5. The operating system has compatibility with Windows Mobile 6.5 and is presented as an enterprise handheld device, targeting retailers, delivery companies, and other companies that rely on handheld computing. Windows Embedded Handheld retains backward compatibility with legacy Windows Mobile applications.30 Windows Embedded 8.1 Handheld was released for manufacturing on April 23, 2014.31 Known simply as Windows Embedded 8 Handheld (WE8H)32 prior to release, it was designed as the next generation of Windows Embedded Handheld for line-of-business handheld devices and built on Windows Phone 8.1, which it also has compatibility with. Five Windows Embedded 8.1 Handheld devices have been released; Manufactured by Bluebird, Honeywell and Panasonic as listed below.33

ProductRelease DateCPURAMStorageDisplayCamera(s)NFCMicroSD
BackFront
Bluebird BM180 (BP30)January 20141.5 GHzDual-core1 GB2 GB8 GB16 GB5”720 × 1280 px1080 × 1920 px8 MP1.3 MPYesYes
Bluebird EF500 (EF500R)September 2015YesYes
Honeywell Dolphin 75eApril 20152.26 GHzDual-core2 GB16 GB4.3”480 × 800 pxYesYes
Honeywell Dolphin CT50April 20154.7”720 × 1280 pxYesYes
Panasonic Toughpad FZ-E1August 20142.3 GHzQuad-core32 GB5”720 × 1280 px1.3 MPYesYes

See also

Further reading

References

  1. "Windows Embedded Version Overview" (PDF). PROXIS. Retrieved August 29, 2020. https://www.proxis.ua/files/documents/Windows%20Embedded%20Version%20Overview.pdf ↩

  2. "IoT Enterprise FAQ". Microsoft. Retrieved July 2, 2021. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/iot/iot-enterprise/faq ↩

  3. "IoT Enterprise Features by Release". Microsoft. Retrieved July 2, 2021. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/iot/iot-enterprise/features ↩

  4. "The next Windows 10 Long Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) release". Microsoft. February 18, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021. https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-it-pro-blog/the-next-windows-10-long-term-servicing-channel-ltsc-release/ba-p/2147232 ↩

  5. "Windows 10 on Thin Clients: Deliver Best Results with Scout Agents (Part 1 of 2)". Fujitsu. Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210123142136/https://techcommunity.ts.fujitsu.com/en/client-computing-devices/d/uid-4c6bc457-acae-4505-49a5-42f3a2ec1c96.html ↩

  6. "Supported operating systems and browsers in Intune". Microsoft. Retrieved August 25, 2020. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/intune/fundamentals/supported-devices-browsers ↩

  7. "What is Windows Server IoT 2019". February 7, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2020. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/iot-core/windows-server#what-is-windows-server-iot-2019 ↩

  8. "Windows for IoT Datasheet" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 13, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200313080659/https://wfbdevicemanagementprod.blob.core.windows.net/windowsforbusiness/Windows_10_IoT_Platform_Overview.pdf ↩

  9. "Microsoft Charts Its Road Map for Windows Embedded Business". News Center. Microsoft. April 15, 2008. Retrieved January 19, 2012. http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/press/2008/apr08/04-15RoadMapEmbeddedPR.aspx ↩

  10. "Which Windows Embedded Product is Right for Me?". Windows Embedded portal. Microsoft. Retrieved January 19, 2012. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/embedded/products/whichproduct/default.mspx ↩

  11. "Microsoft announces general availability of Windows Embedded Compact 2013". Microsoft News Center. Microsoft. Retrieved July 14, 2013. http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/Features/2013/Jun13/06-13EmbeddedCompactGA.aspx ↩

  12. "Windows Embedded". msdn.microsoft.com. June 30, 2016. Retrieved January 30, 2017. https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee504814(v=winembedded.70).aspx ↩

  13. "Which Windows Embedded Product is Right for Me?". Windows Embedded portal. Microsoft. Retrieved January 19, 2012. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/embedded/products/whichproduct/default.mspx ↩

  14. "Microsoft Brings Rich User Experiences to Smart, Connected, Service-Oriented Enterprise Devices With Windows Embedded Standard 2009". News Center. Microsoft. June 4, 2008. Retrieved January 19, 2013. http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/press/2008/jun08/06-04EmbeddedStandard2009PR.aspx ↩

  15. "Microsoft Announces the Next Version of Windows Embedded Standard to Be Built on Windows 7". News Center. Microsoft. October 28, 2008. Retrieved January 19, 2013. http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/press/2008/oct08/10-28ESCPR.aspx ↩

  16. Foley, Mary Jo (June 6, 2008). "Windows Embedded 'Quebec' due in 2010". ZDNet. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on November 19, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20101119100233/http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/windows-embedded-quebec-due-in-2010/1431 ↩

  17. Foley, Mary Jo (June 6, 2008). "Windows Embedded 'Quebec' due in 2010". ZDNet. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on November 19, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20101119100233/http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/windows-embedded-quebec-due-in-2010/1431 ↩

  18. "Microsoft Delivers Windows 7 Technologies to Device Manufacturers With Release of Windows Embedded Standard 7". News Center. Microsoft. April 27, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2013. https://news.microsoft.com/2010/04/27/microsoft-delivers-windows-7-technologies-to-device-manufacturers-with-release-of-windows-embedded-standard-7/ ↩

  19. "Windows Embedded 8 Generally Available | News Center". news.microsoft.com. March 20, 2013. Retrieved May 3, 2016. http://news.microsoft.com/2013/03/20/windows-embedded-8-generally-available/ ↩

  20. Foley, Mary Jo. "Microsoft makes first of its Windows Embedded 8 releases generally available". ZDNet. Retrieved May 3, 2016. https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-makes-first-of-its-windows-embedded-8-releases-generally-available/ ↩

  21. Tung, Liam. "Microsoft makes final push to rid world of Internet Explorer 10". ZDNet. Retrieved March 13, 2019. https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-makes-final-push-to-rid-world-of-internet-explorer-10/ ↩

  22. Keizer, Gregg (December 1, 2015). "Nearly 370M IE users have just 6 weeks to upgrade". Computerworld. Retrieved May 17, 2020. https://www.computerworld.com/article/3010555/nearly-370m-ie-users-have-just-6-weeks-to-upgrade.html ↩

  23. GitHub-Name. "Lifecycle FAQ – Internet Explorer and Edge – Microsoft Lifecycle". docs.microsoft.com. Retrieved May 17, 2020. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/faq/internet-explorer-microsoft-edge ↩

  24. "Internet Explorer Support Lifecycle Policy FAQ". Archived from the original on November 6, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2016. https://support2.microsoft.com/gp/microsoft-internet-explorer/en-us ↩

  25. "Windows Embedded Server". Windows Embedded portal. Microsoft. Retrieved January 19, 2013. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/evaluate/windows-embedded-server.aspx ↩

  26. "Windows Embedded Version Overview" (PDF). PROXIS. Retrieved August 29, 2020. https://www.proxis.ua/files/documents/Windows%20Embedded%20Version%20Overview.pdf ↩

  27. "Microsoft Charts Its Road Map for Windows Embedded Business". News Center. Microsoft. April 15, 2008. Retrieved January 19, 2012. http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/press/2008/apr08/04-15RoadMapEmbeddedPR.aspx ↩

  28. "Microsoft Drives the Future of In-Vehicle Infotainment | News Center". news.microsoft.com. October 19, 2010. Retrieved May 3, 2016. http://news.microsoft.com/2010/10/19/microsoft-drives-the-future-of-in-vehicle-infotainment/#sm.0001vqoe0fg4nec011qxlmzqh74n7 ↩

  29. Foley, Mary Jo. "Microsoft delivers Windows Embedded Automotive 7". ZDNet. Retrieved May 3, 2016. https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-delivers-windows-embedded-automotive-7/ ↩

  30. "Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5 Key Features". Windows Embedded portal. Microsoft. Retrieved January 19, 2013. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/evaluate/windows-embedded-handheld-key-features.aspx ↩

  31. "Windows Embedded 8.1 Handheld has been released to manufacturing; SDK is now generally available". Windows Embedded Blog. April 23, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2016. https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/windows-embedded/2014/04/23/windows-embedded-8-1-handheld-has-been-released-to-manufacturing-sdk-is-now-generally-available/ ↩

  32. Foley, Mary Jo. "Microsoft makes first of its Windows Embedded 8 releases generally available". ZDNet. Retrieved May 3, 2016. https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-makes-first-of-its-windows-embedded-8-releases-generally-available/ ↩

  33. "Windows Embedded 8.1 Handheld". Microsoft. Retrieved January 30, 2017. https://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/windows-embedded-8-handheld.aspx ↩