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Download Windows Embedded Compact 7

Introducing Windows Embedded Compact 7
(next generation Windows Embedded CE)

Everything you need to Download and Evaluate Compact 7

Start developing with Compact 7 today by downloading and installing the tools listed below.
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Download Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition Trial

Learn More Download and Install

Create an operating system design and build a Windows Embedded Compact 7 runtime image using Visual Studio 2008. Install the Compact 7 Platform Builder Add-in to get full Compact 7 development capabilities in Visual Studio 2008 Professional or Team Editions.

Install Visual Studio 2008, including the Smart Device Programmability for Visual C++ if currently not installed. Professional and Team Edition platforms of Visual Studio are both supported.

  1. Insert the first Visual Studio 2008 disc or start the installer from your download.
  2. In the Visual Studio 2008 Setup dialog box, select Install Visual Studio 2008.
  3. In the Welcome dialog box, click Next, and follow the instructions.

Note: If you are installing from discs, you may be prompted to change discs during the installation process. After installing Visual Studio 2008 you may be prompted to install the MSDN Library for product documentation. This step is optional and the DVDs containing the MSDN Library are not included with the Windows Embedded Compact 7 toolkit.

For the most current documentation see www.msdn.microsoft.com. After the Visual Studio 2008 installation is completed, you will need to install the Visual Studio 2008 Service Pack 1 (SP1). To download this update, go to www.microsoft.com/downloads and search for “Visual Studio 2008” for download information and instructions.

Download Expression Blend 3 Trial

Learn More Download and Install

Download Microsoft Expression Blend 3, 60-day Trial. This is required for if you want to use Silverlight for Windows Embedded.

  1. Go to the location on your computer were you downloaded the Expression Blend v3 trial software and start the installer.
  2. When the Welcome dialog box is displayed, click Next, and follow the instructions.

Download Windows Embedded Compact 7 Trial and Access the License Key

Learn More Download and Install

Before you install Windows Embedded Compact 7 180-day trial and Platform Builder, you must first close Visual Studio 2008, as the Compact 7 installer must install several Add-ins to Visual Studio 2008 If you have earlier versions of Windows Embedded Compact or Windows Embedded CE, you will need to uninstall them and the Test Kit.

  1. Verify that you have administrative credentials on your development computer.
    Note: You do not have to be logged on with administrator credentials to run the tools after installation is complete.
  2. Download the Windows Embedded Compact 7 trial. Before you begin downloading the software, you will be asked to complete a registration form. After you complete this form, you will be presented with a Thank You page that includes a link to the trial download and a Product License Key. You will need the License Key during the installation process.
    Compact 7 is a large download. If you prefer, you can request to have an evaluation copy shipped to you. The DVD also includes a 90-day trial of Visual Studio 2008 Professional. There is a small shipping and handling fee.
  3. Run WindowsEmbeddedCompact7.exe.
  4. When the Welcome dialog box is displayed, click Begin Install, and then follow the instructions.
    Note: During installation, the progress bar may not always accurately reflect the remaining time. Installation times vary depending on installation type and system performance.

Download Compact 7 Extra Components and Service Packs

Learn More

How to install Windows Embedded Compact 7 extra components and related service packs when available:

  1. Review the release notes to find information on updates.
  2. Use the Windows Embedded Developer Update (WEDU) to install any required updates or service packs. WEDU is installed as part of the Compact 7 toolkit and is an Add-in for Visual Studio 2008.
  3. Check the MSDN downloads page for optional or third-party components.

Monthly Updates for Compact 7: What's New

We've recently made significant changes to the process for obtaining Compact 7 updates. We hope these improvements result in a more streamlined process for obtaining the latest operating system fixes.

The size and features of the Compact 7 platform have grown significantly since the CE 6.0 release, and we recognize the need to continually improve the update experience for Compact 7 developers. Previously, choosing which release to download or the sequence in which updates should be installed was not always perfectly clear. The new, improved installation process eliminates this confusion by managing all the installation and acquisition issues for users.

Now when you download the latest release of Compact 7, you can choose whether or not you want to install the most recent updates for that release. The timeline slider in the latest Compact 7 installation executable allows you to easily restore your system to a specific point in time without installing all the available updates. In other words, if you need to be at a different hot fix or update level, you can still select the latest installation executable without impacting your development environment.

Several other improvements will help reduce impact to the developer’s machine. As noted above, users no longer need to be concerned with installing releases in any particular order because the installer’s user interface has the ability to identify and select the necessary release content. All release content will be published and available for the installer to acquire from the Internet. In addition, when you register for the Windows Embedded Developer Update and install the WEDU plug-in, you’ll receive notifications within Visual Studio whenever there are new updates available. If you prefer not to install the WEDU plug-in, you can manually check for updates through the installer’s user interface.

Your feedback is important to the Compact 7 team, so please visit Brian's blog to share your ideas on how we can improve this process.
View Downloads

Windows Embedded Compact 7 Monthly Update January 2012

This is a set of updates for Windows Embedded Compact 7 released from January 1 – January, 2012. These updates are fixes for operating system problems you may run into during the development and maintenance of your custom platform.

Windows Embedded Compact 7 Monthly Update December 2011

This is a set of updates for Windows Embedded Compact 7 released from December 1 – December 31, 2011. These updates are fixes for operating system problems you may run into during the development and maintenance of your custom platform.

Windows Embedded Compact 7 Monthly Update November 2011

This is a set of updates for Windows Embedded Compact 7 released from November 1 – November 30, 2011. These updates are fixes for operating system problems you may run into during the development and maintenance of your custom platform.

Windows Embedded Compact 7 Monthly Update October 2011

This is a set of updates for Windows Embedded Compact 7 released from October 1 – October 31, 2011. These updates are fixes for operating system problems you may run into during the development and maintenance of your custom platform.

Windows Embedded Embedded Compact 7 Update 3

This update provides new tools, application updates and bug fixes for Windows Embedded Compact 7.

Windows Embedded Embedded Compact 7 ATL Update for Visual Studio 2008 SP1

This is an update for Visual Studio 2008 SP1 to extend support for Windows Embedded Compact 7.This update enables users to build smart devices project with ATL functionality for Windows Embedded Compact 7 SDK.

Windows Embedded Compact 7 – RDP Remote FX Update

This update adds support for RemoteFX to Windows Embedded Compact 7 for use in Thin Client devices.

Windows Embedded Compact 7 Monthly Update July 2011

This is a set of updates for Windows Embedded CE 6.0 released from July 1 – July 31, 2011.These updates are fixes for operating system problems you may run into during the development and maintenance of your custom platform.

Get the Trial Product Key

If you already have the Compact 7 trial as a download or DVD, get the trial product key here.

Need help installing Compact 7?

Order an Eval on DVD

Compact 7 is a large download. If you prefer, you can request to have an evaluation copy shipped to you. The DVD also includes a 90-day trial of Visual Studio 2008 Professional. There is a small shipping and handling fee.

Get Updates Automatically to Keep Current

Windows Embedded Developer Update (WEDU) automatically checks your development environment to ensure you have the most current product revisions and updates, categorizes the available downloads and readies the product updates for download by subscribers. Now available for Windows Embedded Compact 7.