Search Windows Embedded Sites
Home » Discover » Products » Compact (formerly CE) » Shared Source Licensing

Windows Embedded Compact & CE Shared Source Program

The Windows Embedded Shared Source program is designed to help you speed development, reduce troubleshooting and code debugging time, receive assistance in remote device support and gain a deeper understanding of the Windows Embedded Compact OS. With the Windows Embedded Compact Shared Source Licensing Program, use and slightly modify existing code to meet new hardware requirements or use that code to develop a driver for a new piece of hardware.
  • Free Source Code Access
    Access more than 3.9 million lines of Windows Embedded Compact source code, including key components such as 100% of the Kernel, supporting 32,000 processes with 2GB of addressable memory.
  • Innovation
    Create and distribute commercial derivatives of the Windows Embedded Compact source code without notifying Microsoft or sharing the derivative work with the embedded community. A valid Windows Embedded Compact runtime license must be purchased for each Windows Embedded CE derivative work prior to distribution.
  • Collaboration
    Collaborate with other developers in non-commercial endeavors, such as academic and research projects, as well as in individual development efforts. Get involved in CodePlex Projects, and the Open Source Community.
  • Improved File System
    Source access can help improve the file system to meet the hardware requirements and performance needs of devices.
  • Development Debugging
    Quickly and thoroughly rectify and protect against viruses and other hazards. The Device Driver Manager is an essential debugging tool when building a new Windows Embedded CE platform and during driver development.
  • Support and Troubleshooting
    Troubleshoot and remedy deployed Windows Compact systems with ease.
  • Feedback
    Readily support your embedded designs.
  • Fulfillment
    Install the Windows Compact source code during the setup process – it’s available for installation with any version of Windows CE. You must electronically accept the terms and conditions of the shared source licensing agreement before you can install the source code.

Windows Embedded Compact Shared Source comes in three forms

Public Shared Source - The Sample/Public Shared Source code is readily accessible in Platform Builder - Windows Embedded CE IDE under its licensing terms. When installing Platform Builder, Sample/Public Shared Source will automatically install itself without any additional steps. Source offered within Public Shared Source includes: device drivers, device driver manager, file systems and CE Testkit.
Private Shared Source - Private Shared Source code is available in the box but requires a separate License Agreement and is available as an option during install. The Private Shared Source offers additional components beyond the Public Shared Source offering including but not limited to 100% of the kernel.
Premium Shared Source - Premium Shared Source is available to qualifying OEMs and partners. The Premium Shared Source offers additional components on top of the other two programs. Offering the broadest source for CE and allowing access to key areas such as Networking Stacks (TCP/IP, IPv6), Graphic Windowing and Events Subsystem (GWES), and more File Systems and Device Drivers.
Review these resources for detailed information about the program: