About Windows CE .NET

Microsoft® Windows® CE .NET is an open, scalable, 32-bit operating system (OS) that is designed to meet the needs of a broad range of intelligent hardware devices, from enterprise tools such as industrial controllers, communications hubs, and point-of-sale terminals to consumer products such as cameras, Internet appliances, and interactive televisions. A typical Windows CE–based embedded platform is targeted for a specific use, often runs disconnected from other computers, and requires a small-sized OS that has a bundled, deterministic response to interrupts.

Windows CE .NET offers the application developer the ease and versatility of scripting languages, along with the versatile environment of the Microsoft Win32® application programming interface (API). It also offers bundled support for multimedia, Internet, LAN, and mobile communications and security services. For information about new Windows CE .NET features, see New OS Features.

The following image map shows the Windows CE .NET OS architecture. To link to topics containing information about the elements in the image map, move your pointer over the element, and then choose the element.

The Microsoft Platform Builder Catalog displays selectable OS features that you can add to your Windows CE .NET–based platform. For more information about selectable OS features, see Catalog Features. For information about the modules and components that comprise the OS features, see Windows CE Modules and Components.

For more information about Windows CE .NET, Microsoft eMbedded Visual C++® 4.0, and building a customized OS using Platform Builder, see this Microsoft Web site.

See Also

About Platform Builder | Application Development | Driver Development | Platform Development

Last updated on Wednesday, April 13, 2005

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