Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro Retail vs. We8S, WES7 and WES2009
Windows® Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro Retail is not a componentized version any more like Microsoft Windows® Embedded Standard 7 or 2009. Windows® Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro Retail is based on the binaries from Windows® 8.1 Professional.
Windows® Embedded Standard 7 is based on the Windows® 7 kernel.
Windows® Embedded 8 Standard is based on the Windows® 8.0 kernel.
Product Matrix
| Feature | Windows® Embedded Standard 2009 | Windows® Embedded Standard 7, WS7E | Windows® Embedded Standard 7, WS7P | Windows® Embedded 8 Standard | Windows® Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro Retail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key Windows® 7 Components (in-the-box) | Internet Explorer 7 Windows® Media Player 11 Remote Desktop Protocol 6.1 .NET Framework 3.0 Later releases of IE, WMP, RDP and .NET available for download |
Internet Explorer 8 Windows® Media Player 12 Remote Desktop Protocol 7.0 .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 |
Internet Explorer 8 Windows® Media Player 12 Remote Desktop Protocol 7.0 .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 |
Internet Explorer 10 Windows Media® Player 12 Remote Desktop Protocol 8.0 .NET Framework 4.5 |
Internet Explorer 11 Windows® Media Player 12 Remote Desktop Protocol 8.0 .NET Framework 4.5 |
| Processor and Hardware Support |
32-bit (x86) Minimum 126MB storage and 256MB RAM |
32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) Minimum 2GB storage and 512MB RAM |
32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) Minimum 3GB storage and 512MB RAM |
32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) Minimum 3GB storage and 1GB RAM |
32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) Minimum 6GB storage and 1GB RAM |
| Image Build Tools | Embedded Studio Toolkit: Target Designer Component Designer DB Manager Target Analyzer SDI support |
Windows® Embedded Studio: Image Builder Wizard Image Configuration Editor Target Analyzer Windows 7 WIM support Search Better performance Easier third-party software and driver integration XML image configuration |
Windows® Embedded Studio: Image Builder Wizard Image Configuration Editor Target Analyzer Windows 7 WIM support Search Better performance Easier third-party software and driver integration XML image configuration |
Windows® Embedded Studio: Image Builder Wizard Image Configuration Editor Target Analyzer Windows WIM support Search Better performance Easier third-party software and driver integration XML image configuration |
Normal installation |
| OS Building Blocks | OS components ~1000 Driver components ~9000 |
OS feature sets ~150 Driver packages ~500 Embedded Core |
OS feature sets ~150 Driver packages ~500 Embedded Core |
OS feature sets ~150 Driver packages ~500 Embedded Core |
Not componentized |
| Image Build Model | Image is configured and assembled on developer machine Image is deployed to device Adding features requires an image refresh Component database and repository |
Image configured on device or on developer machine Image is assembled on the device Features can be added post-build directly to device Distribution share to hold files and packages |
Image configured on device or on developer machine Image is assembled on the device Features can be added post-build directly to device Distribution share to hold files and packages |
Image configured on device or on developer machine Image is assembled on the device Features can be added post-build directly to device Catalog to hold files and packages |
Installation direct on target machine. (Cloning possible) |
| Image Footprint | Minimum image size ~100 MB | Minimum image size ~1,5GB | Minimum image size ~2GB | Minimum image size ~3GB | Minimum image size ~6GB |
| Deployment Methods | PXE Boot, Remote installation Windows Pre-installation Environment (WinPE) 1.0 CD/DVD boot & USB Boot Remote Boot |
Windows Deployment Servicing (WDS) WinPE 3.1 or latest CD/DVD boot & USB Boot |
Windows Deployment Servicing (WDS) WinPE 3.1 or latest CD/DVD boot & USB Boot |
Windows Deployment Servicing (WDS) WinPE 4 or latest CD/DVD boot & USB Boot |
Windows® Deployment Servicing (WDS) WinPE 4 or latest CD/DVD boot & USB Boot |
| Servicing | OEM Servicing Device Manual Servicing |
OEM Servicing Device Manual Servicing Device Automatic Servicing (Windows Update) |
OEM Servicing Device Manual Servicing Device Automatic Servicing (Windows Update) |
OEM Servicing Device Manual Servicing Device Automatic Servicing (Windows Update) |
OEM Servicing Device Manual Servicing Device Automatic Servicing (Windows Update) |
| Embedded Enabling Features | Enhanced Write Filter, File-Based Write Filter, Registry Filter CD/DVD boot & USB Boot Custom shell support Device Update Agent |
Enhanced Write Filter, File-Based Write Filter, Registry Filter USB Boot Improved custom shell support OEM branding experience Notification & Popup suppression |
Enhanced Write Filter, File-Based Write Filter, Registry Filter USB Boot Improved custom shell support OEM branding experience Notification & Popup suppression |
Unified Enhanced Write Filter, File-Based Write Filter, Registry Filter USB Boot Improved custom shell support OEM branding experience Notification/Dialog & Popup suppression |
Unified Enhanced Write Filter, File-Based Write Filter, Registry Filter USB Filter, Keyboard Filter, Improved custom shell support OEM branding experience Notification/Dialog & Popup suppression |
| Key Distinguishing Features | Advanced power management Fast boot/Shutdown Location & other sensors Aero glass & Aero background Direct boot from VHD |
Advanced power management Fast boot/Shutdown Location & other sensors Aero glass & Aero background Direct boot from VHD |
Advanced power management Fast boot/Shutdown Location & other sensors Modern style User Interface Direct boot from VHD |
Advanced power management Fast boot/Shutdown Location & other sensors Modern style User Interface Direct boot from VHD |
|
| Localization and Language Packs | OS image Documentation (localized into a subset of languages) |
OS image (partial) Documentation Language-neutral design separates localized resources completely |
OS image (partial) Documentation Language-neutral design separates localized resources completely |
OS image (partial) Documentation Language-neutral design separates localized resources completely |
OS image (partial) Documentation Language-neutral design separates localized resources completely |
| Activation | Not required | Not required | Not required | Required | Required |
| Enterprise Connectivity | Full certified IPv6 support | Full certified IPv6 support | Full certified support | Full certified support | |
| Advanced Remote Connectivity | DirectAccess BranchCache |
DirectAccess BranchCache |
DirectAccess BranchCache |
||
| Advanced Data Security | Bitlocker & Bitlocker to Go Applocker |
Bitlocker & Bitlocker to Go Applocker |
Bitlocker & Bitlocker to Go Applocker |
||
| High-end device support | 64-bit CPU support | 64-bit CPU support | 64-bit CPU support | 64-bit CPU support | |
| Consumer Features | HomeGroup Windows® Media Center Windows® Sideshow Remote Assistance Anti-Malware PhotoViewer Parental Control |
HomeGroup Windows® Store Remote Assistance Anti-Malware PhotoViewer Parental Control |
HomeGroup Windows® Store Remote Assistance Anti-Malware PhotoViewer Parental Control |
||
| Customer Connection to the Product Team | Links to team blogs and forums | Support for Software Quality Metrics (SQM) in developer tools Links to forums, MSDN and product team blogs |
Support for Software Quality Metrics (SQM) in developer tools Links to forums, MSDN and product team blogs |
Support for Software Quality Metrics (SQM) in developer tools Links to forums, MSDN and product team blogs |
Support for Software Quality Metrics (SQM) in developer tools Links to forums, MSDN and product team blogs |
Contact Us
Need local assistance for your Microsoft Embedded Solution? Let us know!