Windows CE
Windows CE
Windows CE is a compact, embeddable operating system designed for devices with limited memory and processing power, such as smartphones and PDAs. It provides a graphical user interface and supports various applications and hardware platforms.
What does Windows CE mean?
Windows CE (Windows Embedded Compact) is a discontinued family of operating systems developed by Microsoft for use in embedded systems. It is a real-time operating system (RTOS) that is designed to run on small, low-power devices such as PDAs, mobile phones, and other embedded devices. Windows CE is a scaled-down version of the Windows operating system that is used on desktop computers and laptops. It includes a subset of the features of the desktop operating system, such as a File System, a registry, and a graphical User Interface (GUI). Windows CE also includes a number of features that are specifically designed for embedded devices, such as support for real-time Processing, low-power consumption, and small memory footprints.
Applications
Windows CE is used in a wide variety of embedded devices, including:
- PDAs and Handheld computers
- Mobile phones
- Digital cameras and camcorders
- GPS navigation devices
- Medical devices
- Industrial automation controllers
- Point-of-sale (POS) systems
Windows CE is a popular choice for embedded devices because it is a reliable and stable operating system that is easy to use and develop for. It is also relatively inexpensive and has a small memory footprint.
History
Windows CE was first released in 1996. It was originally developed as a replacement for the Windows 95 operating system that was used on desktop computers and laptops. However, Windows CE was not as successful as Windows 95, and it was eventually replaced by Windows 98. Windows CE continued to be developed for use in embedded devices, and it has been used in a wide variety of devices over the years.
The latest version of Windows CE, Windows CE 7.0, was released in 2011. Windows CE 7.0 includes a number of new features, such as support for multi-core processors, improved power management, and a new user interface. However, Microsoft has since discontinued Windows CE and is now focusing on its newer operating system, Windows Embedded Compact 2013 (WEC 2013).