Windows CE

Windows CE, later known as Windows Embedded CE and Windows Embedded Compact, is a discontinued operating system developed by Microsoft for mobile and embedded devices. It was part of the Windows Embedded family and served as the software foundation of several products including the Pocket PC, Auto PC, Windows Mobile, Windows Phone 7 and others.

Unlike Windows Embedded Standard, Windows For Embedded Systems, Windows Embedded Industry and Windows IoT, which are based on Windows NT, Windows CE uses a different kernel. Microsoft licensed it to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), who could modify and create their own user interfaces and experiences, with Windows Embedded Compact providing the technical foundation to do so.

Windows CE can be configured as monolithic kernel or hybrid kernel, dependent upon the target device type and the manufacturer. Windows Mobile and Windows Phone 7 are always monolithic kernel.

Earlier versions of Windows CE worked on MIPS and SHx architectures, but in version 7.0 released in 2011—when the product was also renamed to Embedded Compact—support for these were dropped but remained for MIPS II architecture. The final version, Windows Embedded Compact 2013 (version 8.0), released in 2013, only supports x86 and ARM processors with board support package (BSP) directly. It had mainstream support until October 9, 2018, and extended support ended on October 10, 2023; however, license sales for OEMs will continue until 2028.