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====== About ======


**Windows Embedded Compact**, formerly **Windows Embedded CE**, Windows Powered and **Windows CE**, is an operating system subfamily developed by Microsoft as part of its [[Windows Embedded]] family of products.

Unlike [[Windows Embedded]] Standard, which is based on [[Windows NT]], **Windows Embedded Compact** uses a different **hybrid kernel**. Microsoft licenses it to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), **who can modify and create their own user interfaces and experiences**, with **Windows Embedded Compact** providing the technical foundation to do so. The current version of **Windows Embedded Compact** supports **x86** and **ARM** processors with board support package (BSP) directly. The **MIPS** and **SHx** architectures had support prior to version 7.0. 7.0 still works on **MIPSII** architecture.

Originally, **Windows CE** was designed for minimalistic and small computers. However CE had its own kernel whereas those such as **Windows XP Embedded** are based on [[Windows NT|NT]]. **Windows CE** was a modular/componentized operating system that served as the foundation of several classes of devices such as [[:Handheld PC]], [[:Pocket PC]], Auto PC, [[Windows Mobile]], [[Windows Phone 7]] and more.

Official mainstream support for the current and final version of **Windows CE**, **Windows Embedded Compact 2013** ended on **October 9, 2018**, and extended support will end on **October 10, 2023**.

====== History ======

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**Windows Embedded Compact** was formerly known as **Windows CE**. According to Microsoft, "CE" is not an explicit acronym for anything, although it implies a number of notions that Windows developers had in mind, such as "**compact**", "**connectable**", "**compatible**", "**companion**" and "**efficient**". The name changed once in 2006, with the release of **Windows Embedded CE 6.0**, and again in 2011, with the release of **Windows Embedded Compact 7**.

**Windows CE** was originally announced by Microsoft at the COMDEX expo in **1996** and was demonstrated on stage by Bill Gates and John McGill. Microsoft had been testing Pegasus in early 1995 and released a strict reference platform to several hardware partners. The devices had to have the following minimum hardware specifications:

  * SH3, MIPS 3000 or MIPS 4000 CPU
  * Minimum of 4 MB of ROM
  * Minimum of 2 MB of RAM with a backup power source, such as a CR2032 coin cell battery
  * Powered by two AA batteries
  * A physical QWERTY keyboard including Ctrl, Alt and Shift keys
  * An LCD display of 480×240 pixels with four shades of gray and two bits per pixel with touchscreen that could be operated by either stylus or finger
  * An Infrared transceiver
  * Serial port
  * PC Card slot
  * Built in speaker