Editing Windows CE (section)

==History==
{{multiple image
 | width     = 220
 | direction = vertical
 | image1    = Windows CE logo.svg
 | caption1  = Logo of Windows CE, from 1996 (versions 1.0 to 3.0)
 | image2    = Windows Embedded CE logo.svg
 | caption2  = Logo of Windows Embedded CE, from 2006 (versions 6.0 to 7.0)
 | image3    = WEC 2012.svg
 | caption3  = Logo of Windows Embedded Compact, from 2013 (version 8.0)
 }}
[[File:Sega-Dreamcast-Console-FL (cropped) Windows CE logo.png|thumb|Logo on the [[Dreamcast]]: "Compatible with Windows CE"]]

Windows Embedded Compact was formerly known as Windows CE. According to Microsoft, "CE" is not an explicit acronym for anything, although it implies a number of notions that Windows developers had in mind, such as "compact", "connectable", "compatible", "companion" and "efficient".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/166915|title=The Meaning of "CE" in Windows CE launch date|publisher=support.microsoft.com|date=February 14, 2015|access-date=February 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910113022/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/166915|archive-date=2013-09-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.windowsfordevices.com/news/NS5452934855.html|title=Microsoft renames Windows CE, sets CE 6.0 launch date|publisher=windowsfordevices.com|date=September 22, 2006|access-date=July 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104153759/http://www.windowsfordevices.com/news/NS5452934855.html|archive-date=January 4, 2009}}</ref> The name changed once in 2006, with the release of [[Windows Embedded CE 6.0]], and again in 2011, with the release of [[Windows Embedded Compact 7]].

Windows CE was originally announced by Microsoft at the [[COMDEX|Computer Dealers' Exhibition (COMDEX)]] in 1996 and was demonstrated on stage by [[Bill Gates]] and John McGill. Microsoft had been testing Pegasus in early 1995 and released a strict reference platform to several hardware partners. The devices had to have the following minimum hardware specifications:

*[[SuperH#SH-3|SH3]], [[MIPS architecture processors|MIPS]] 3000 or MIPS 4000 CPU
*Minimum of 4 MB of ROM
*Minimum of 2 MB of RAM with a backup power source, such as a [[CR2032]] coin cell battery
*Powered by two AA batteries
*A physical [[QWERTY keyboard]] including [[Control key|Ctrl]], [[Alt key|Alt]], and Shift keys
*A [[LCD]] of 480×240 pixels with four shades of gray and two bits per pixel with touchscreen that could be operated by either stylus or finger
*An [[IrDa]] transceiver
*Serial port
*[[PC Card]] socket
*Built-in speaker

Devices of the time mainly had 480×240 pixel displays with the exception of the [[Hewlett-Packard]] 'Palmtop PC' which had a 640×240 display. Each window took over the full display. Navigation was done by tapping or double tapping on an item. A contextual menu was also available by the user pressing the ALT key and tapping on the screen. Windows CE 1.0 did not include a cascading Start menu, although Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0 did. Microsoft released the Windows CE 1.0 Power Toys that included a cascading menu icon that appeared in the system tray. Also bundled were several other utilities, most notable were a sound applet for the system tray, enabling the user to quickly mute or unmute their device or adjust the volume and a 'pocket' version of Paint.

The release of Windows CE 2.0 was well received. Microsoft learned its lessons from consumer feedback of Windows CE 1.0 and made many improvements to the operating system. The Start menu was a cascading menu, identical to those found on [[Windows 95]] and [[Windows NT 4.0]]. Color screens were also supported and manufacturers raced to release the first color [[H/PC]]. The first to market was Hewlett Packard with the [[HP 620LX]]. Windows CE 2.0 also supported a broader range of CPU architectures. Programs could be also installed directly in the OS by double clicking on CAB files. Due to the nature of the ROMs that contained the operating system, users were not able to flash their devices with the newer operating system. Instead manufacturers released upgrade ROMs that users had to physically install in their devices, after removing the previous version. This would usually wipe the data on the device and present the user with the setup wizard upon first boot.

In November 1999, it was reported that Microsoft was planning to rename Windows CE to '''Windows Powered'''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.itprotoday.com/windows-78/cnet-windows-ce-become-windows-powered|title=CNET: Windows CE to become 'Windows powered'|date=December 1999}}</ref> The name only appeared in brand in Handheld PC 2000 and a build of [[Windows 2000]] Advanced Server for [[network-attached storage]] devices (which bears no relation to Windows CE). Various Windows CE 3.0 products announced at [[CES 2001]] were marketed under a "Windows Powered" umbrella name.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.windowsitpro.com/Article/ArticleID/19604/19604.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050419082235/http://www.windowsitpro.com/Article/ArticleID/19604/19604.html|archive-date=April 19, 2005|title=IT Pro}}</ref>