While work on Windows 7 client and server operating systems has been wrapped up since mid-2009, the latest iteration of Windows continues to be at the core of efforts centered on another Windows-related project from Microsoft. In this regard, the Redmond company is forging ahead with the development of the next generation of its embedded operating system. With Windows Embedded Standard 2011, the software giant has skipped Windows Vista altogether and based the OS on the Windows 7 code instead. As of the start of this week, a fresh development milestone of Windows Embedded Standard 2011 is available for download.

“Over the last several months, the Windows Embedded team has been hard at work to get this CTP2 release out the door. A big “Thank You!” to all the customers who have provided feedback on the product. Since the release of CTP1 we have had fantastic community participation with more than 2700+ downloads, 100+ bugs reported and more than 56 different forum threads asking questions and providing feedback,” explained Lesley Bacon, a program manager as part of the “Customer Strike Team” for the Embedded Windows team at Microsoft.

What Microsoft is offering is the second Community Technology Preview of Windows Embedded Standard 2011. And when the company says that the next gen Windows Embedded OS is based on Vista’s successor what it is actually saying is that Windows Embedded Standard 2011 is essentially Windows 7, but the componentized embedded version. The CTP2 bits for Windows Embedded Standard 2011 are up for grab via Microsoft Connect.

Olivier Bloch, Microsoft Embedded technical evangelist, explained that “There are many updates and bug fixes as well as some new features in this release:
- Footprint optimization for key scenarios
- New and updated templates in ICE including import and export of templates
- More intuitive package naming
- Static Dependency Analyzer (SDA)
- New Packages: Anti-malware; DVD Maker; Parental Control; Backup/Restore; IMAPI; PhotoViewer; Fax and Scan
- Updated and more detailed product documentation
- Windows Embedded Standard 2011 Compatible Applications.”