While Windows 7 client and Windows Server 2008 R2 have been released to manufacturing for over a month now, the journey of Microsoft’s latest Windows iteration continues. Windows 7 is by no means limited to clients and servers, and an illustrative example of this is codename Quebec. On September 1st, 2009, the Redmond company announced the availability of a new release based on Windows 7, namely the next iteration of Windows Embedded, codename Quebec - Windows Embedded Standard 2011.

“To meet the demand for improved user experiences and connectivity among today’s rapidly growing categories of specialized devices, Microsoft has strategically planned the release of Windows 7-based technologies to OEMs in the embedded marketplace,” explained Kevin Dallas, general manager of the Windows Embedded Business at Microsoft.

The software giant is currently offering customers the possibility to download and test drive Windows Embedded Standard 2011 built on Windows 7, with Microsoft skipping Windows Vista completely. In this regard, the first development milestone of Windows Embedded Standard 2011 is currently available via Microsoft Connect. The release is labeled a Community Technology Preview, an indication that Windows Embedded Standard 2011 is still in the early stages of development.

“The availability of the Windows Embedded Standard 2011 CTP empowers our worldwide ecosystem of OEMs, partners and developers to take advantage of the next-generation platform’s enhanced Windows 7-based features and provide feedback prior to its general release to manufacturing. We encourage the embedded community to take full advantage of the CTP’s availability and join in our excitement as we look ahead to the future availability of Windows Embedded platforms incorporating Windows 7 technologies,” Dallas added.

Microsoft shared no additional details related to the upcoming development milestones of Windows Embedded Standard 2011. At the same time, the company did not offer a specific date when customers should expect the next version of Windows Embedded to be finalized.