14 DAY TRIAL // At the start of July 2010, Microsoft updated the Release Notes accompanying the latest version of its Windows Embedded operating system. Windows Embedded Standard 7 was released to manufacturing earlier this year, and made available for download in May, offering customers a replacement for Windows Embedded Standard 2009. As is the case with a range of the Redmond company’s products, the operating system was accompanied by Release Notes, documentation designed to offer critical information on Windows Embedded Standard 7.
The Release Notes highlight issues that Microsoft is well aware of, affecting Windows Embedded Standard 7. The software giant details a variety of problems in specific spenarios, including Installation, Image Builder Wizard, Image Configuration Editor, Activation, Servicing, Windows Embedded Core, Feature-Set Packages, Driver Packages, Embedded Enabling Features and Localization. Windows Embedded Standard 7 customers can easily turn to the Release Notes in order to get an idea of the issues they might come across, as well as the solutions offered by Microsoft.
Windows Embedded Standard 7 was initially codenamed Quebec, with Microsoft planning to release it on the market as Windows Embedded Standard 2011. However, the company did use Windows 7’s core to build the successor of Windows Embedded Standard 2009, and in this regard also changed the brand in order to reflect the connection with its latest Windows client. The successor of Windows Embedded Standard 7 leveraged Windows XP at its core, specifically XP SP3. Microsoft skipped Windows Vista altogether as far as Windows Embedded is concerned, and went straight to Windows 7.
As of the first half of May 2010, customers can download free trial-based copies of Windows Embedded Standard 7 and test drive the operating system before deciding to purchase it. The Release Notes will serve to provide guidance for various scenarios when users can stumble across problems with Windows Embedded Standard 7.
32-bit (x86) Windows Embedded Standard 7 RTM, 64-bit (x64) Windows Embedded Standard 7 RTM and the Windows Embedded Standard 7 Evaluation toolkit are available for download here.