Hi! Using Windows CE Compatibility Layer
(WCECL
) you can run Windows CE programs in usual Win32 environment. Let me explain.
All Windows CE programs are Portable Executables, which is the same format as in Windows. Hence Windows is able to run Windows CE executables, but we only need a little bit of
hAcKiNg. PE file has NT header, where located
Subsystem number. Windows can run
any number, but in user mode it's limited to only Win32GUI and Win32CUI
(console window
). If you try to run another subsystem, Windows will display error message. With help of
WCECL SubsystemTool you can change subsystem number of any executable and its related libraries
(DLLs
) to Win32GUI
(or to any desired number
). After these easy manipulations you can natively run Windows CE executables on your Windows machine.
More about file types and tools to convert you can find in WCECL Wiki.
But subsystem is not the only problem. Programs are using COREDLL.DLL library, which is the part of Windows CE system and can't run on Windows. This library contains all system runtime functions and they are almost the same as in Windows NT. WCECL contains own implementation of COREDLL, which redirects all calls to Windows and brings the compatibility.
(
More in our Wiki)
FAQ
Q: WCECL supports ARM applications?
A: On x86 - no, but WCECL can be compiled for ARM platform and you can run it on Windows 10 ARM.
Q: It supports Windows XP?
A: Yes, it's the minimal operating system version. SubsystemTool also supports Windows XP. The only problem - there are few calls which are not existing in Windows XP, and I can't fix it, because I use Windows 10 machine.
Q: So it runs programs?
A: Only if all functions used by program are implemented. Currently it
ALMOST supports
Solitare CE.
Q: When it will run any program correctly?
A: Be patient, because I'm the only one person and it's just my hobby. The project is
hosted on GitHub and you can easily help to code.
The project is fully open-sourced and waits for contributors.
Information about contributing and other important things are in Wiki.
It's made just for fun.
GitHub:
https://github.com/feel-the-dz3n/wcecl
I'm waiting for your questions!