Windows Embedded Compact 7

{{short description|2011 release of the Windows Embedded CE operating system}}

{{Infobox OS version

| name = Windows Embedded Compact 7

| version of = Windows CE

| logo = Windows Embedded Compact 7 logo and wordmark.svg

| screenshot = WinCE 7 desktop.png

| caption = Windows Embedded Compact 7.0 desktop

| developer = Microsoft

| website =

| source_model = {{ubl

| Closed-source

| Source-available (through Shared Source Initiative)

}}

| license = Commercial proprietary software

| kernel_type = Hybrid kernel

| first_release_date = {{Start date and age|2011|3|1}}

| release_version =

| release_date =

| release_url =

| preview_version =

| preview_date =

| preview_url =

| preceded_by = Windows Embedded CE 6.0

| succeeded_by = Windows Embedded Compact 2013

| support_status = {{infobox|child=yes

|label1=Mainstream

| data1=Ended on {{end date|2016|4|12}}{{cite web|title=Microsoft Support Lifecycle|url=http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=15839|work=Microsoft Support|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=February 6, 2015}}

|label2=Extended

| data2=Ended on {{End date|2021|4|13}} }}

| other_articles =

}}

File:WindowsCE7.png

Windows Embedded Compact 7 (formerly known as Windows Embedded CE 7.0) is the seventh major release of the Windows Embedded CE operating system, released on March 1, 2011.{{cite web|url=http://tuggd.com/2011/03/03/microsoft-windows-embedded-compact-7-to-hit-the-market/1154/|title=Microsoft Windows Embedded Compact 7 to hit the market|date=2011-03-03|work=Tuggd.com|publisher=TUGGD Media|access-date=2012-07-24}} Windows Embedded Compact 7 is a real-time OS, separate from the Windows NT line, and is designed to target enterprise specific tools such as industrial controllers and consumer electronics devices such as digital cameras, GPS systems and also automotive infotainment systems. Windows Embedded Compact is designed to run on multiple CPU architectures and supports x86, SH (automotive only) and ARM.

During development, a Microsoft employee working in this division claimed that Microsoft was working hard on this release and that it shares the underlying kernel with Windows Phone.{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/obloch/archive/2010/05/03/windows-ce-is-not-dead.aspx |title=Windows CE is NOT dead! |work=Olivier's Blog |publisher=Microsoft |date=2010-05-03 |access-date=2012-07-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100506201318/http://blogs.msdn.com/obloch/archive/2010/05/03/windows-ce-is-not-dead.aspx |archive-date=6 May 2010 |url-status=dead}} Microsoft officially confirmed this and said that Windows Phone 7 is based on Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R3 with some features borrowed from Windows Embedded Compact 7, thus making it a hybrid solution.{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/05/04/windows-phone-7-based-on-a-hybrid-windows-ce-6-compact-7-kerne/ |title=Windows Phone 7 based on a hybrid Windows CE 6 / Compact 7 kernel? |work=Engadget |publisher=AOL |date=2010-05-04 |access-date=2012-07-24}}

As with Windows Embedded CE 6.0, the platform builder for Windows Embedded Compact 7 is not a stand-alone product, but is implemented as plug-in for Microsoft Visual Studio - the version required is Visual Studio 2008 with Service Pack 1 installed.