This December Microsoft has prioritized the update releases for Windows Embedded operating system. In this context, the company delivered the patches for security vulnerabilities in the platforms, but did not offer the package of optional refreshes. The explanation offered by the Redmond company indicated that the work poured into the finalization of Windows XP Embedded Service Pack 3 and Windows Embedded Standard 2009 caused the optional updates for December to be discontinued, according to Gina Bentley, the Servicing and Support program manager for the Vertical Industries and Embedded Windows (VIEW) group.

“We are putting the final touches on the December Security roll-ups to bring these products up to date with all security releases since they went into code freeze,” Bentley explained on December 12. “We want you to have everything you need to start creating your new device images built with Windows Embedded Standard 2009! We gave extra consideration to this roll-up release, and that, combined with holiday schedules, means that we opted to take a break and not release an Optional Update package for December.”

However, while the December optional updates have been canceled, the security patches are live and available through the ECE website. Microsoft is offering security updates for vulnerabilities in all Windows Embedded platforms, including Windows Embedded XP SP3 and Windows Embedded Standard 2009.

“The December 2008 Windows XP Embedded Security Updates are now available on the ECE for Microsoft Windows XP Embedded with Service Pack 2, Feature Pack 2007, Update Rollup 1.0. Also included this month are updates for XPe SP3 and Windows Embedded Standard 2009. The updates are cumulative (include all previous updates),” Lynda Allen, Microsoft Embedded program manager, revealed.

Moving onward, Microsoft indicated that Windows Embedded Standard 2009 would be the last version of the operating system based on Windows XP. The Redmond company will skip Vista entirely with Windows Embedded Standard vNext, which will be based on Windows 7. 

The Evaluation Edition of Windows Embedded Standard 2009 is available for download here.