How to Buy Windows Embedded Products

Determine Which Windows Embedded Products Are Right

Find the right embedded operating system for your development needs using our OS Chooser Wizard and comparison table.

Evaluate the Product

Trial software is available and functional for 4 months (6 months for Windows Embedded Compact). Once you determine which Windows Embedded product you need:

Download or order a trial version, or
Contact a Microsoft Authorized Embedded Distributor to get a trial version and assistance with installation or questions you may have.

Purchase the Product’s Development Tools

When you are ready to begin development, you have two choices for purchasing development tools:

Through an Authorized Windows Embedded Distributor
Get assistance from a distributor in purchasing the full packaged product (FPP). It includes a courtesy copy of the Additional Licensing Provisions defining distribution rights and restrictions specific to each Microsoft Windows Embedded licensed product.

Suggested retail price for Windows Embedded Compact, Windows Embedded Standard, or Windows Embedded POSReady is $995 US. For Windows Embedded Enterprise and Windows Embedded Server, contact your local Windows Embedded Distributor for pricing. Visit Qualnetics for pricing on the Windows Embedded Automotive Development Kit.

Licensing terms include unlimited field testing and prototyping on any number of device prototypes before you ship commercially. For U.S. and Canadian customers, purchasing toolkits provides you with two complementary support incidents to use throughout your development process.
Through a MSDN Subscription
For a cost-effective way to license Windows Embedded platforms and tools, receive technical support, and obtain early access to the latest Microsoft updates, purchase a MSDN Embedded subscription. It builds on traditional MSDN benefits by providing a single subscription for access to the Visual Studio suite of software development tools and the following Windows Embedded platforms and technologies:
- Windows Embedded Compact
- Windows Embedded Standard
- Windows Embedded POSReady

Acquire Runtime Licenses for Commercial Shipment

Once you complete testing and development, and are ready to bring your embedded products to market, it’s time to acquire runtime licenses and certificates of authenticity for each unit that you ship from your Microsoft Authorized Embedded Distributor. Cost for each runtime license may vary based on the volume of licenses you purchase over a given period of time. For more details, see each product's overview page: