Windows CE 6.0

Basic Information

Microsoft Windows Embedded CE 6.0, codenamed "Yamazaki," is the sixth major release of Microsoft's embedded operating system, designed for enterprise-specific tools and consumer electronics.

• Model: Windows Embedded CE 6.0 (often referred to as WinCE 6.0)
• Version: 6.0 (with R2 and R3 incremental releases)
• Release Date: November 1, 2006.
• Minimum Requirements: A 933 MHz processor, 512MB of RAM, and 18GB of free hard drive space are recommended for running the OS on a development machine.
• Supported Architectures: x86, ARM, SH4 (up to R2), and MIPS-based processor architectures.
• Latest Stable Version: Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R3, released on September 22, 2009.
• End of Mainstream Support Date: April 9, 2013.
• End of Extended Support Date: April 10, 2018.
• End of Life Date: February 28, 2022.
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Not explicitly defined as an auto-update expiration, but security updates ceased with the end of extended support.
• License Type: Commercial software, with a licensing model that includes "CORE license" for low-end devices and tiered volume discounts. Microsoft Software License Terms (formerly EULAs) govern its use.
• Deployment Model: Designed for embedded devices, where OEMs customize and deploy the OS.

Technical Requirements

Windows Embedded CE 6.0 is a 32-bit native hard real-time operating system optimized for small footprint devices.

• RAM: Minimum 512MB for development environment; actual device requirements vary based on configuration, with a kernel footprint of around 700KB.
• Processor: Compatible with x86, ARM, SH4 (up to R2), and MIPS architectures.
• Storage: 18GB free hard drive space for development, with a new file system supporting larger storage media and file sizes.
• Display: Supports Win32 GDI and DirectX, with OpenGL available via third-party add-ins. R3 introduced features for rich user interfaces, including touch and gesture input, and Silverlight for Windows Embedded.
• Ports: Supports various connectivity options, including mobile phone networks for data connections and SMS.
• Operating System: The Platform Builder IDE integrates with Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 for development.

Analysis of Technical Requirements

Windows CE 6.0's technical requirements are minimal for an operating system, reflecting its embedded nature. The support for multiple processor architectures (x86, ARM, MIPS, SH4) provides flexibility for device manufacturers. The significant increase in virtual memory per process (from 32MB to 2GB) and the expanded process limit (from 32 to 32,768) were key architectural improvements, allowing for more complex applications and multitasking. The integration with Visual Studio 2005 streamlines the development process for both the OS and applications. The small footprint (around 300KB with 700 components) makes it suitable for resource-constrained devices.

Support & Compatibility

Windows Embedded CE 6.0 is a discontinued operating system, with all official support having ended.

• Latest Version: Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R3.
• OS Support: Supports x86, ARM, SH4 (up to R2), and MIPS processor architectures.
• End of Support Date: Mainstream support ended April 9, 2013; Extended support ended April 10, 2018.
• Localization: Supports various languages.
• Available Drivers: Production-quality device drivers are available, supporting both user mode and kernel mode.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status

The overall support and compatibility status for Windows Embedded CE 6.0 is critical. All official support from Microsoft has ended, meaning there are no further security patches or technical assistance. While the OS was highly compatible with various processor architectures during its active lifecycle, the lack of ongoing support poses significant security risks for devices still running it. OEMs could previously leverage downgrade rights to continue using CE 6.0 with newer licenses, but this does not provide ongoing support. Migration to newer operating systems is strongly recommended for security and longevity.

Security Status

Windows Embedded CE 6.0 includes some security features, but its end-of-life status makes it highly vulnerable.

• Security Features: Includes a built-in secure loader that ensures only trusted, signed code runs on the system, using certificate-based trust decisions. Supports removable media encryption and various cryptographic functions via the RSAENH module.
• Known Vulnerabilities: As an end-of-life product, it is susceptible to newly discovered vulnerabilities for which no patches are released. A security update was released in March 2018 addressing an elevation of privilege vulnerability (CVE-2018-0842).
• Blacklist Status: Not blacklisted, but its unsupported status makes it a target for cyber threats.
• Certifications: Specific certifications are not widely publicized, but cryptographic modules like RSAENH adhere to standards like FIPS PUB 140-2.
• Encryption Support: Supports removable media encryption. Cryptographic functions for data encryption and decryption are available through CryptoAPI. BitLocker is not supported.
• Authentication Methods: Supports authentication services through derived keys in its cryptographic module.
• General Recommendations: Immediate migration to a currently supported operating system is strongly recommended due to the cessation of security updates.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating

The overall security rating for Windows Embedded CE 6.0 is poor due to its end-of-life status. While it incorporated security features like a secure boot loader and encryption support at its release, the absence of ongoing security updates since April 2018 leaves devices running it exposed to modern cyber threats, malware, and IP theft. Continuing to use this OS poses a significant risk to both the device and connected networks.

Performance & Benchmarks

Windows Embedded CE 6.0 is a hard real-time operating system designed for performance in embedded environments.

• Benchmark Scores: Specific, standardized benchmark scores are not readily available for the OS itself, as performance is highly dependent on the custom hardware it runs on.
• Real-world Performance Metrics: Features a re-designed kernel to increase functionality and allow more applications to run simultaneously. The new virtual memory model and increased process limit improve performance and robustness. It maintains a small footprint, contributing to efficient operation on resource-constrained devices.
• Power Consumption: Optimized for small, portable, and battery-powered devices.
• Carbon Footprint: Not directly applicable to the OS; however, its design for low-power embedded devices implies a lower energy consumption profile for the hardware it runs on compared to general-purpose operating systems.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: Compared to previous CE versions, CE 6.0 offers significant improvements in process and virtual memory management. Successors like Windows Embedded Compact 7 introduced multi-core processor support and enhanced UI capabilities.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status

Windows Embedded CE 6.0 was a performant real-time operating system for its intended embedded applications at the time of its release. Its re-architected kernel, expanded virtual memory, and increased process limits provided a robust foundation for complex embedded systems. Its small footprint and optimization for various processor architectures contributed to efficient power consumption and responsiveness. While newer embedded OS versions offer advancements like multi-core support and richer UIs, CE 6.0 delivered strong performance for its generation and target use cases.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews and feedback for Windows Embedded CE 6.0 generally highlight its strengths in embedded applications but acknowledge its eventual limitations.

• Strengths: Praised for its hard real-time capabilities, small footprint, and flexibility in customization for specific devices. The integration with Visual Studio 2005 was a significant advantage for developers. Its ability to support a wide range of hardware architectures and its aggressive pricing policy made it popular for many embedded devices.
• Weaknesses: The primary weakness now is its end-of-life status, leading to a lack of security updates and support. Earlier versions had limitations in virtual memory and process count, which CE 6.0 addressed, but newer OSes surpassed its UI and multi-core capabilities.
• Recommended Use Cases: Historically used in industrial controllers, consumer electronics like digital cameras, GPS systems, supermarket self-checkouts, and in-car displays. It served as the basis for devices like the Zune HD and early Windows Phone 7.

Summary

Microsoft Windows Embedded CE 6.0 was a foundational real-time operating system for a wide array of embedded devices, released in November 2006. Its key strengths included a re-architected kernel that significantly increased virtual memory per process to 2GB and expanded the process limit to 32,768, enabling more complex and multitasking applications. It supported diverse processor architectures (x86, ARM, MIPS, SH4) and offered a small footprint, making it ideal for resource-constrained and battery-powered devices. The integration with Visual Studio 2005 streamlined development, and its real-time capabilities were crucial for industrial and consumer electronics.

However, the primary and critical weakness of Windows Embedded CE 6.0 is its end-of-life status. Mainstream support ended in April 2013, extended support in April 2018, and the end-of-life date was February 28, 2022. This means the operating system no longer receives security updates, patches, or technical support from Microsoft. While it featured a secure loader and encryption capabilities at its release, the absence of ongoing updates leaves any device still running CE 6.0 highly vulnerable to modern cyber threats, malware, and potential data breaches.

Recommendations for organizations still utilizing devices with Windows Embedded CE 6.0 are urgent: migrate to a currently supported operating system. Continuing to operate on an unsupported OS poses significant security risks and can lead to system compromise and intellectual property theft. While the process of migrating and re-certifying applications can be complex, the long-term security and stability benefits far outweigh the risks of remaining on an obsolete platform. Downgrade rights previously offered a temporary solution for licensing, but they do not provide ongoing security support.

The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.