Microsoft’s Windows Embedded and Windows IoT products continue to thrive, affirming their relevance in the evolving landscape of industrial and embedded systems. The journey of these products began in 1999 with the introduction of Windows NT Embedded, codenamed Impala. This initial toolkit, developed in collaboration with VentureCom, aimed to minimize image footprints, setting the stage for future innovations.
As the years progressed, Windows XP Embedded, known as Mantis, emerged, significantly expanding the toolkit’s capabilities. With tools like Target Designer and Component Designer, developers could select from approximately 12,000 packages, although the development process was often cumbersome due to the dependency checker reintroducing previously deselected packages.
Evolution of Embedded Solutions
For the point-of-sale sector, Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 provided a user-friendly option that mirrored consumer installations but offered additional customization during setup. Throughout these iterations, Microsoft maintained a consistent kernel across its consumer and embedded versions, ensuring compatibility with the broader Windows ecosystem, albeit limited to x86 architecture.
Simultaneously, Windows CE catered to mobile devices, supporting both x86 and Arm architectures. Early versions even included support for the SH4 architecture. The Platform Builder tool evolved from a standalone offering to a Visual Studio plug-in starting with Windows CE 4.x. However, as Windows CE/Compact reached its end of support in 2023, users of these solutions are encouraged to explore Windows on Arm alternatives.
With the advent of Windows 7, Microsoft furthered its Embedded/IoT offerings with Windows Embedded 7 Standard (codenamed Quebec) and Windows 7 for Embedded Systems (FES). These versions gained traction in industrial applications, although access required a special customer license agreement through authorized distributors like Avnet. This licensing model remains in place today.
The introduction of Windows Embedded Standard 8 (codenamed Cassini) followed, but Windows 8 did not achieve significant success in the industrial market. A pivotal moment occurred in 2015 with the launch of Windows 10, which included a license specifically designed for industrial applications: Windows 10 IoT Enterprise. This version introduced Long-Term Servicing Branch/Channel (LTSB/LTSC) options, providing a decade of security updates, with versions released in 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2021.
Licensing Innovations and Future Directions
Microsoft’s approach to the industrial Embedded/IoT market shifted with Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, moving away from modular versions to a fully installable format. To accommodate various system capabilities, Microsoft introduced a tiered licensing structure based on CPU performance, ranging from Base to High-end licenses. OEM customers can choose between PKEA and ePKEA activation methods, enhancing flexibility for large-scale deployments.
The Base license marked the introduction of Windows 10 IoT Enterprise on industrial Arm devices, specifically the NXP i.MX8 family. While performance may not be groundbreaking, this low-power solution presents an attractive option for smaller applications, especially since it allows for the emulation of older Windows CE/Compact applications without recompilation.
As Microsoft shifts its focus to Windows 11, the General Availability Channel for IoT was established with the initial release of Windows 11 21H2. The first Windows 11 LTSC version, Windows 11 IoT Enterprise 2024 LTSC, is set to debut in May 2024, marking the end of Windows 10 LTSC versions. The last of these, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC, will remain supported until 2031, ensuring longevity for existing deployments.
Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC now extends support to Arm Qualcomm CPUs, which offer robust performance and energy efficiency, making the Windows on Arm platform increasingly appealing. The latest version also introduces new features such as USB 4.0 and Wi-Fi 6/7 support, alongside a commitment to 10 years of security updates—an essential consideration in light of emerging global cyber resilience regulations.
For industries reliant on stable functionality throughout a device’s lifecycle, Windows 11 IoT Enterprise 2024 LTSC presents a compelling solution. As the conversation around Windows on Arm gains momentum, stakeholders should remain vigilant, as this topic is poised to shape the future of embedded and IoT solutions.
