HoHoHo… Merry Christmas…

Hi folks,

On behalf of our entire team I would like to wish all of you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2014 - may all your hopes and wishes come true!

Without doubt, we will continue to post interesting and helpful news from the world of Windows Embedded in 2014. So stay tuned!

Meanwhile, if there are any topics that your would like to discuss further or that you think that are missing on our blog, please let us know in the comment section!

Again, Happy Holidays to all of you!

Have fun!

Windows Embedded 8 Handheld reaches GA

Hi folks,

Windows Embedded 8 Handheld reached General Availability. The SDK is publicly available for download. Built on Windows Phone 8, Windows Embedded 8 Handheld is the next generation of Microsoft’s platform for line-of-business enterprise handheld devices.

Find a How-To on MSDN: “Use an emulator to simulate a barcode scanner”

More information can be found here.

Have fun!

Windows Embedded Compact QFEs for November 2013 have arrived!

Windows Embedded Compact 7 Monthly Update November 2013:

Fixes made in this update:

Component: Bluetooth

131128_KB2911413 -  Bluetooth "Page Timeout" gets changed whenever Link Supervision Timeout (LSTO) is changed.

Component: Browser

131125_KB2909697 -  An update rollup is available that includes several cumulative security updates for Internet Explorer for Windows Embedded Compact 7.

131127_KB2909951 -  Script error when you call the MsgBox function in VBScript in the Internet Explorer 7 sample browser.

Component: ConnMgr

131120_KB2908180 -  Connection Manager may not respond when multiple connection requests are made at same time.

Component: Storage

131129_KB2901007 -  Files are missing when you call SetSystemPowerState on a Windows Embedded Compact 7-based device.

Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Monthly Update November 2013:

Fixes made in this update:

Component:  IE

131128_KB2909695 - An update rollup is available that includes several cumulative security updates for Internet Explorer for Windows Embedded CE 6.0.

Windows CE 5.0 Monthly Update November 2013:

Fixes made in this update:

 

Component:  IE

131121_KB2909688 - An update rollup is available that includes several cumulative security updates for Internet Explorer for Windows CE 5.0.

REMEMBER: It’s important to keep your system up to date!

Have fun!

Windows Embedded Compact QFEs for October 2013 have arrived!

Hi all,

the October updates for Windows Embedded Compact are available for download:

Windows Embedded Compact 7 Monthly Update October 2013:

Fixes made in this update:

Component: Networking

131031_KB2783856 -  This update addresses slow wi-fi reconnect after resuming a device.

131031_KB2875178 -  This update addresses an issue where active socket connections are disconnected in quick roaming and slight out of coverage scenarios.

Component: Timezone/DST

131031_KB2899978 - DST update for West Asia.

Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Monthly Update October 2013:

Fixes made in this update:

Component:  Storage

131031_KB2774445 - This update addresses an issue with PNPUnloadDelay not working as expected when we remove and re-insert the same storage card.

Component:  TimeSVC

131031_KB2900420 - DST Update for West Asia.

Windows CE 5.0 Monthly Update October 2013:

Fixes made in this update:

 

Component:  TimeSVC

131031_KB2900372 - DST update for West Asia

REMEMBER: It’s important to keep your system up to date!

Have fun!

Windows Embedded Compact QFEs for September 2013 have arrived!

Hi all,

the September updates for Windows Embedded Compact are available for download:

Windows Embedded Compact 7 Monthly Update September 2013:

Fixes made in this update:

Component: Browser

130926_KB2888627 -  This update addresses a memory leak which occurs when IInternetProtocolSink::ReportProgress() is called with a status code BINDSTATUS_MIMETYPEAVAILABLE.

130930_KB2886720 -  An update rollup is available that includes several cumulative security updates for Internet Explorer for Windows Embedded Compact 7.

Component: DirectX

130930_KB2869657 - This update addresses an issue with DirectDraw cannot enumerate the primary monitor when multimon is enabled.

Component: File System

130930_KB2863141 - Some handle leaks occur when USB flash drive fails to be mounted on a Windows Embedded Compact 7-based device.

Component: Shell

130925_KB2817593 - This update addresses an issue with WEC7 Out Of Memory dialog getting hidden by other windows.

Component: Silverlight

130613_KB2846804 - This update addresses an issue with the property changed callback method for a dependency property of VTYPE_PROPERTYBAG value type cannot be invoked in Silverlight.

130613_KB2842568 - This update addresses an issue with the scrollbars of ListBox control aren't displayed correctly on WEC7.

130821_KB2871813 - You cannot input characters in a Microsoft Silverlight for Windows Embedded application on a Japanese version of Windows Embedded Compact 7-based device.

130821_KB2871837 - Full-width spaces are not displayed in a Microsoft Silverlight for Windows Embedded application on a Japanese version of Windows Embedded Compact 7-based device.

130916_KB2877825 - This update addresses an issue with the XRScrollEventType_EndScroll event type is not received when you scroll a scrollbar in Silverlight.

130923_KB2863138 - This update addresses an issue with the event handler method of LayoutUpdated event cannot be triggered on an IXRFrameworkElement in Silverlight.

130930_KB2881753 - This update addresses an issue with the incorrect behaviors of scrollbar thumb on ListBox control.

Component: Tools

130930_KB2870641 -  Log files that are generated by Netlog tool will contain corrupted timestamp values after it has run for more than two hours.

130930_KB2842510 -  Locales are built incorrectly when you add them to a Windows Embedded Compact 7 image

Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Monthly Update September 2013:

Fixes made in this update:

Component:  IE

130925_KB2886717 - An update rollup is available that includes several cumulative security updates for Internet Explorer for Windows Embedded CE 6.0.

Windows CE 5.0 Monthly Update September 2013:

Fixes made in this update:

 

Component:  IE

130929_KB2886715 - An update rollup is available that includes several cumulative security updates for Internet Explorer for Windows CE 5.0.

REMEMBER: It’s important to keep your system up to date!

Have fun!

Viewers for Windows Embedded Compact 7 - Microsoft Office 97, 2000, 2003, XP and 2007 file format support

Hi Folks,

Need to display Microsoft Office 2003 or 2007 documents on your Windows Embedded Compact 7 platform, then get the viewers for PlatformBuilder :


Windows Embedded Compact 7 viewers : http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=8979



- Nicolas

.NET Compact Framework Prefetch Abort

Hi Folks,

When doing debugging of .NET Compact Framework 3.5 applications you can encounter Prefetch Abort errors, due to the amount of RAM used by your application. This happens only when the JIT Debugger is attached to your Windows Embedded CE 6.0 or Windows Embedded Compact 7 target.

In that case Microsoft is providing a registry fix-up that allows the debugger to catch this use case. Add the following to your device registry :

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\.NETCompactFramework]
"JITCodeBufferSizeLimitEnabled"=dword:00000001

Microsoft fixup page link.

-Nicolas

Windows 8.1 versions

Hi Folks,

looking for the difference between the Windows 8.1 flavors ?

Then read this article.

-Nicolas

What’s new in Windows Embedded 8.1

Hi Folks,

Windows Embedded 8.1 is out and provide a set of updates and new features.

What’s updated?

• Windows 8 Application Launcher : allowing OEM to build specific scenarios for POS, kiosk, digital sign and HMI
• Gesture Filter : for touch-enabled devices
• Keyboard Filter : to block keyboard keystroke combinations,
• Unified Write Filter : to redirect Hard disk writes, or changes to a memory overlay

What’s new?

• Assigned Access : This feature allows an organization to lock down a device to one user and one modern app
• Breakout Mode : Breakout Mode provides a way for device administrators to access the standard Windows Logon screen during a locked-down session
• USB Filter : restrictions on Class ID, device vendor ID  and even a device product ID 
• System Toast Notification Filter
• Lockdown Baseline Tool : The new Lockdown Baseline tool (LBT) captures lockdown and branding features for replication to multiple target devices using System Center Configuration Manager's Desired Configuration Management function

You can get more details on Windows Embedded blog.

-Nicolas

Windows Embedded Compact QFEs for August 2013 have arrived!

Hi all,

the August updates for Windows Embedded Compact are available for download:

Windows Embedded Compact 7 Monthly Update August 2013:

Fixes made in this update:

Component: Browser

130831_KB2877991 -  An update rollup is available that includes several cumulative security updates for Internet Explorer for Windows Embedded Compact 7.

Component: Build

130816_KB2877461 - Changes in the resource file for non-English languages are not applied when you clone the Calibrui module in a multilingual Windows Embedded Compact 7-based image.

Component: Time Zone/DST

130827_KB2880768 - August 2013 DST updates on WEC7.

Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Monthly Update August 2013:

Fixes made in this update:

Component:  IE

130828_KB2877987 - An update rollup is available that includes several cumulative security updates for Internet Explorer for Windows Embedded CE 6.0.

130831_KB2883134 - This update addresses a memory leak which occurs when IInternetProtocolSink::ReportProgress() is called with a status code BINDSTATUS_MIMETYPEAVAILABLE.

Component:  TimeSVC

130827_KB2881377 - This update addresses some DST changes.

Windows CE 5.0 Monthly Update August 2013:

Fixes made in this update:

 

Component:  IE

130825_KB2877983 - An update rollup is available that includes several cumulative security updates for Internet Explorer for Windows CE 5.0.

Component:  TimeSVC

130828_KB2881383 - This update addresses some DST changes.

REMEMBER: It’s important to keep your system up to date!

Have fun!

TimeZone switch failing

Hi Folks,

If you are experiencing Time Zone switch issue under Windows Embedded Compact 7 (and other versions), you might have a careful look to this article.

I have identified that the SetTimeZoneInformation function is relying on the BiasChangeHelper function that require a Bias object to be correctly initialized. On some systems (and for now i haven't identified the root cause), the Time Zone bias is not correctly computed. This value then can be override in registry in order to provide the appropriate information to the system during its execution. The kernel is first starting the SoftRTC module, even if SoftRTC isn't enable on your system, in order to generate this bias information.
If you have installed the SharedSource for Windows Embedded Compact7, this initialization code is located in c:\wince700\private\winceos\coreos\nk\kernel\time.c file in function InitSoftRTC.

As mentioned the overloading value is retrieve from the registry and should match this value :

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\init\BootVars]
"KTzBias"=hex:01,00,00,00,E0,01,00,00,A4,01,00,00

So by adding this information in device registry, then you might be able to change the Time Zone.
If someone have accurate information on that KTzBias key, then I will be happy to update that post.

- Nicolas

CEDriverWiz or the magic tool for lazy BSP developers now for WEC2013

Hi Folks,

Fellow MVP David Jones has updated his magic tool CEDriverWiz that creates a Windows Embedded Compact (or Windows CE) Stream Interface Driver skeleton in source code for you (including test applications if you wish).

The new version 3.0 is functionally the same as version 2.0 but includes support for Windows Embedded Compact 2013. Of course former versions of Windows Embedded Compact and Windows CE are still supported.

Thanks a lot David for creating and maintaining such an essential Windows Embedded Compact tool – keep up the good work!

Have fun

Windows Embedded Compact QFEs for July 2013 have arrived!

Hi all,

Update (08/19/2013):

Windows Embedded Compact 7 Monthly Update July 2013:

Fixes made in this update:

Component: Browser

130722_KB2871120 -  An update rollup is available that includes several cumulative security updates for Internet Explorer for Windows Embedded Compact 7.

Component: Filesys

130729_KB2865059 - This update addresses an issue with ScanDisk module.

Component: SYNC

130731_KB2793270 - This update addresses the occasional exception that is observed in Rapiclnt.exe when disconnecting Active Sync.

Update end

the July updates for Windows Embedded Compact are available for download:

Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Monthly Update July 2013:

Fixes made in this update:

Component:  Core OS

130731_KB2865137 - This update addresses the possible access violation while logging data by celog.

130731_KB2865141 - This update addresses an issue with incorrect calculation of ring buffer bytes left to write by celog.

Component:  IE

130718_KB2871116 - An update rollup is available that includes several cumulative security updates for Internet Explorer for Windows Embedded CE 6.0.

Windows CE 5.0 Monthly Update July 2013:

Fixes made in this update:

 

Component:  IE

130723_KB2871124 - An update rollup is available that includes several cumulative security updates for Internet Explorer for Windows CE 5.0.

REMEMBER: It’s important to keep your system up to date!

Have fun!

Windows 8.1 Enterprise Preview

Hi folks,

try the Windows 8.1 Enterprise preview now. It comes with enhancements in mobility, security, device management as well as virtualization. You can find a complete description of What’s new in Windows 8.1 Enterprise here.

Have fun!

Adeneo Embedded Shell for Windows Embedded Compact 2013 on Freescale i.MX6

Hi folks,

As just mentioned in my article about Windows Embedded Compact 2013 Streamlining, the Windows 95 Shell was removed from the Catalog.

Good news if you do need a shell on Windows Embedded Compact 2013:

See the Adeneo Embedded Shell running on a Freescale i.MX6 SabreLite board under Windows Embedded Compact 2013:

More information about the Adeneo Embedded Shell can be found here.

Have fun!

Windows Embedded Compact 2013 – Streamlined Catalog

As promised in my earlier post, I will now disclose more details about Windows Embedded Compact 2013.

The Windows Embedded Compact 2013 Catalog has been “streamlined”, as Microsoft calls it. Now what does that mean, exactly?

The goal to offer an OS that is focused on the most relevant customer scenarios. Therefore some Catalog items have been merged, others were enabled by default, additional items have been at and some Catalog items have been removed.

The most relevant Catalog items that have been removed in Windows Embedded Compact 2013 are:

1.       Internet Explorer 7

2.       Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)

3.       Features such as DLNA and device sync

4.       Windows 95 shell

If your current device depends on any of the above mentioned features, you need to think carefully whether or not it would make sense to upgrade your product to Windows Embedded Compact 2013.

Last but not least, here is a complete list of Catalog changes from Windows Embedded Compact 7 to Windows Embedded Compact 2013.

Have fun!

TI AM335X StarterKit get WEC2013 support

Hi Folks

Only one month after the General Availability of Microsoft Windows Embedded Compact 2013, Adeneo Embedded announces the availability of support of the Texas Instruments AM335x ARM® Cortex™-A8 StarterKit.
The AM335x Starter Kit with a 4.3-inch LCD display provides a stable and affordable platform for smart appliance, industrial and networking applications. It is a low-cost development platform based on the ARM® Cortex™-A8 processor that is integrated with multiple communication options such as Dual Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi and Bluetooth® connectivity (http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/AM335x_Starter_Kit).


Find the complete list of features by clicking on the following link :
http://www.adeneo-embedded.com/Products/Board-Support-Packages/Texas-Instruments

Enjoy!

-Nicolas

Windows Embedded Compact QFEs for June 2013 have arrived!

Hi all,

the June updates for Windows Embedded Compact are available for download:

Windows Embedded Compact 7 Monthly Update June 2013:

Fixes made in this update:

Component: Browser

130628_KB2847376 -  HTMLView fails to navigate to URL containing fragment.

130628_KB2861309 -  This update addresses some security issues in IE.

Component: DSHOW

130628_KB2792019 -  Video rendering may fail when attempted to play on a higher resolution than that of the screen resolution.

Component: GWE

130619_KB2837361 - This update addresses an issue with erroneous flagging of regular menu as a system menu.

Component: Kernel

130628_KB2821959 - This update addresses an issue with OS not responding when kernel CETK test is executed.

Component: Networking

130628_KB2835268 -  Internet Connection Sharing may not work depending on adapters' binding order.

Component: Servers

130628_KB2779930 -  An update that improves the ability of the SMB server to continue functioning after IPv4 address changes is available for Windows Embedded Compact 7.

Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Monthly Update June 2013:

Fixes made in this update:

Component:  IE

130628_KB2861307 - This update addresses some security issues on IE.

Component:  Wininet

130628_KB2854501 - InternetCloseHandle delays closure by 15 seconds if HttpSendRequest fails.

Windows CE 5.0 Monthly Update June 2013:

Fixes made in this update:

 

Component:  IE

130628_KB2861289 - This update addresses some security issues in IE.

REMEMBER: It’s important to keep your system up to date!

Have fun!

Windows Embedded Compact 2013 eBook

Hi Folks,

if you are looking for some literature on Windows Embedded Compact 2013 (WEC2013), I would suggest you to read the online book version of Samuel Phung (eMVP).

http://embedded101.com/Compact2013ebook/

Enjoy !

-Nicolas

Article: “What‘s new in Windows Embedded Compact 2013“ in the ECE Magazine

Hi folks,

check out the article I wrote “What‘s new in Windows Embedded Compact 2013” in the current ECE Magazine.

Have fun!

“There is a problem with this Windows Installer package” error during QFE installation

Hi folks,

if you try to install QFEs for Windows Embedded CE/Compact versions prior to Windows Embedded Compact 7 (*.msi files) on systems running a post Windows XP OS, you might encounter the following error:

In my specific case I needed to install a Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R3 QFE on a Windows 7 32-bit system.

To solve this issue simply right-click the *.msi installer file, and select “Run this program in compatibility mode for: Previous version of Windows” in the “Compatibility” tab.

In fact you will encounter this error for every *.msi file, not just QFEs.

Have fun!

Add Firewall exceptions to WES7 answer file

Hi Folks

When building a Windows Embedded Standard 7 image you can configure the Firewall rules in order to be able to enable the Remote Desktop. The following article explain the steps to follow in Image Configuration Editor (ICE) : http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff794875(v=winembedded.60).aspx

The configuration of the Firewall require the identification of the functionality Identifier that is located in the FirewallAPI DLL. This identification can't be found on the internet, and some actions on your side must be performed in order to configure the Firewall to match your requirements. The identifier that should be use, is the resource identified in the library, and you can use Resource Hacker application  (http://www.angusj.com/resourcehacker/) on the  FirewallAPI.dll.mui file.

ResourceHacker in action for File and Printer Sharing

Example of IDs :
@FirewallAPI.dll,-28502 (File/Print Sharing)

@FirewallAPI.dll,-28752 (Remote Desktop)

-Nicolas

Enable custom shell per user under WES7

Hi Folks,

We are going to change the default shell launched at user logon, the idea is to have a default shell like your product application to be executed when the default user is logged, and the explorer shell when an administrator starts a session.

Registry configuration

The following MSDN article describes the configuration required under Windows Embedded Standard 2009, but it require some adjustments under Windows Embedded Standard 7.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms838576.aspx

The following registry value :

Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\IniFileMapping\system.ini\boot\Shell

should be set to :

Value: USR:Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Security considerations

The explorer shell is more user friendly for platform maintenance but open the device to its settings. By launching your application for lambda users then you ensure that the user won't mess up the system, as your application will provide the minimal set of functionality required by your product.
For security reason you can understand that we must set your application as the default user shell. And per user account configure different shell like the explorer shell for the administrator user. In case of user being able to create new user account on the system through a back door of the system or using malicious code, then this hacker will also have to configure the user account to set a different shell in order to be able to make more damages onto your device.

- Nicolas

Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro Preview Release

Hi Folks,

Check out the new public pre-release of Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro here on Connect. Windows Embedded 8 Industry is the successor of POS Ready. On Connect, you can file suggestions and bugs.

There is also a MSDN forum for the Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro pre-release where you can discuss features, etc.

Have fun!

Embedded presentation on //build/

Hi Folks,

Mike Hall, Principal Software Architect, Windows Embedded at Microsoft, held a presentation on the //build/ conference where Windows 8.1 is introduced with the title “How to Use Point-of-Sale Devices in Your App”:

Or you can watch the recording here on Channel 9.

Have fun!

Webinar 4 recording: Introduction to Windows Embedded 8

Hi folks,

If you missed the Fabien Decret’s 4^th online webinar on April 11^th, introducing the Windows Embedded 8 operating system with the title “Windows 8 technical Strengths in industrial and business context”, then you can watch the recording:

Have fun!

Webinar 3 recording: Introduction to Windows Embedded 8

Hi folks,

If you missed the Fabien Decret’s 3^rd online webinar on April 5^th, introducing the Windows Embedded 8 operating system with the title “Access to the Cloud with a strong authentication from Windows 8 based technologies”, then you can watch the recording:

Have fun!

Webinar 2 recording: Introduction to Windows Embedded 8

Hi folks,

If you missed the Fabien Decret’s 2^nd online webinar on March 28^th, introducing the Windows Embedded 8 operating system with the title “Create a dynamic business desktop using Windows 8 technologies”, then you can watch the recording:

Have fun!

Heute: Kostenloses Webinar: Windows Embedded 8

Hallo zusammen,

Verpassen Sie heute nicht das kostenfrei Webinar: „Windows 8 technische Stärken im Industrie und Business Umfeld”.

Dies ist das letzte von 4 einstündigen, kostenlosen Webinaren von Adeneo Embedded und Arrow Europe mit dem Thema Windows Embedded 8!

Wann:

Mittwoch, 26. Juni 2013, 15:00 - 16:00 MEZ

Agenda:

1.     Installation und Konfiguration von Windows 8

2.     Neue Möglichkeiten für mobile Produktivität

a.     Windows To Go

b.    DirectAccess

c.     Branchcache

3.     Kontrolle von sensitiven Daten mit AppLocker

4.     BitLocker Laufwerkverschlüsselung

5.     Einheitliche Verwaltung auf allen Geräten

6.     Fortschritte in der Verwaltbarkeit und Virtualisieren

7.     Bereitstellung von Systemen und Anwendungen

a.     Erstellen und Ausführen von Unit-Tests auf einer App

b.    Windows-App Certification Kit Tests

c.     Vorbereitung und Bereitstellung von Anwendungen für das Unternehmen

Registrierung:

Hier

Have fun!

Windows Embedded Compact QFEs for May 2013 have arrived!

Hi all,

the May updates for Windows Embedded Compact are available for download:

Windows Embedded Compact 7 Monthly Update May 2013:

Fixes made in this update:

Component: DirectX

130531_KB2849558 - IMediaSeeking::SetPositions doesn't return current time of key frame.

Component: Networking

130529_KB2851050 - An Infinite loop may occur at ThreadThunk Thread in Connection Manager (CmService.DLL).

Component: Security

130531_KB2826742 - Failure in establishing RDP session with WS2008 with default security settings.

Component: Storage

130514_KB2846789 - A deadlock may occur when file system API is called during unmounting. This update also fixes an issue with PNPThreadPrio256 registry not able to set to PNPMountThread.

Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Monthly Update May 2013:

Fixes made in this update:

Component:  SMB

130529_KB2843126 - This update addresses an issue with SMB service failing to respond and waiting on an orphaned event handle.

REMEMBER: It’s important to keep your system up to date!

Have fun!

Windows Embedded Compact 7: WEDU does not find “Shared Source Update Wave 1”

Hi Folks,

I was trying to update my Windows Embedded Compact 7 installation today. However, Windows Embedded Developer Update (WEDU), the updater for Windows Embedded Compact 7, fails acquiring “Shared Source Update Wave 1” (SharedSource_w1.msi). The Wave 1 update is the March 2013 QFE for Windows Embedded Compact 7.

Unlike the other components that WEDU is trying to acquire, the “Shared Source Update Wave 1” has the download option grayed out and the only option available is Cancel which aborts the entire update process or Browse to the file on your disk. The reason that this file is not available for public download via WEDU is that it contains the original “Shared Sources” installer and all previous patches to this component.

If this also happens to you there are 3 possible ways to solve this issue:

1.       If you have an MSDN subscription, download the ISO file Windows Embedded Compact 7 – March 2013 (x86 and x64) - DVD (English) (about 8 GB) it contains the missing file. Once you mounted the ISO, in WEDU browse to the SharedSource_w1.msi in the W1 folder on the disk.

2.       Contact your distributer and ask for the DVD containing the Wave 1 update. Apparently the ISO image that you can obtain from MyOEM seems to be corrupted.

3.       Uninstall the “Shared Sources” option and run WEDU again.

Have fun!