It is no longer targeted solely at hand-held computers.

Since then, Windows CE has evolved into a component-based, embedded, real-time operating system. The first version – known during development under the code name 'Pegasus' – featured a Windows-like GUI and a number of Microsoft's popular apps, all trimmed down for smaller storage, memory, and speed of the palmtops of the day. This helps to simplify the interface and improve execution time. The fundamental unit of execution is the thread. From Version 3 and onward, the system supports 256 priority levels and uses priority inheritance for dealing with priority inversion. Windows CE conforms to the definition of a real-time operating system, with a deterministic interrupt latency. Devices are often configured without disk storage, and may be configured as a 'closed' system that does not allow for end-user extension (for instance, it can be burned into ROM). Windows CE is optimized for devices that have minimal memory a Windows CE kernel may run with one megabyte of memory. Pocket CMD v 3.0 ( cmd.exe) on Windows CE 3.0 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. 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. However CE had its own kernel whereas those such as Windows XP Embedded are based on NT. Originally, Windows CE was designed for minimalistic and small computers. The MIPS and SHx architectures had support prior to version 7.0 and version 7.0 still works on MIPS II architecture. The current version of Windows Embedded Compact supports x86 and ARM processors with board support package (BSP) directly. 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. Unlike Windows Embedded Standard, which is based on Windows NT, Windows Embedded Compact uses a different hybrid kernel. Windows Embedded Compact, formerly Windows Embedded CE, Windows Powered and Windows CE, is an operating system family developed by Microsoft as part of its Windows Embedded family of products.

X86, 32-bit ARM, ( SuperH up to 6.0 R2, MIPS and PowerPC were also supported) Source-available (through Shared Source Initiative) Ĩ.0 (Embedded Compact 2013) / June 13, 2013 10 years ago ( ).

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