There is an XP embedded, but it has a much larger footprint than CE does, and things are subtly different between it and big XP.
XP Embedded style
(I'm not saying this is one
) motherboard:
Even though Windows XP Embedded is built from the same binary files that Windows XP Professional uses, Windows XP Embedded does not share all the features of Windows Professional. Some features in Windows XP Professional are not appropriate for embedded device scenarios. The following Windows XP Professional features are not included in Windows XP Embedded:
Windows File Protection
(WFP
)
On Windows XP Professional, WFP prevents system files from being overwritten unless the files that are being installed are digitally signed by Microsoft. Windows XP Embedded does not enforce system file protection, however, because embedded device users do not typically install software. There are also some benefits to excluding WFP from Windows XP Professional. For example, Device Update Agent
(DUA
), a management tool that was created specifically to support embedded scenarios, performs better when WFP is not included in a run-time image. Another benefit of not including WFP in Windows XP Embedded is a reduced footprint. However, because Windows XP Embedded does not include WFP, it is critical for run-time images to be built with the correct versions of system files.
Windows XP Tour
Windows XP Professional includes an interactive, animated tour of the operating system. This tour is not appropriate for end users of embedded devices that run highly customized Windows-based operating systems, so it is not included in Windows XP Embedded.
Windows Setup
Windows XP Embedded does not include certain user interface and infrastructure elements that Windows Setup uses to install Windows XP Professional. Windows XP Embedded does not support the Control Panel user interface that is used to install additional Windows operating system components, for example, the Add/Remove Windows Components option in Control Panel.
Online product activation
Windows XP Embedded does not include online product activation. Instead, Windows XP Embedded-based run-time images are activated by using a run-time product key in the Windows Embedded Studio tools.
Out-Of-Box Experience
(OOBE
)
Windows XP Professional includes welcome screens and wizards to help new users set up Internet connections and other operating system features. These are not included in Windows XP Embedded because of the highly customized nature of Windows XP Embedded-based operating systems.
Windows Update
Windows XP Embedded does not use the Windows Update Web site
(http://www.windowsupdate.com
) to detect and patch software components. However, Windows Update can be used with a corporate server running Microsoft® Software Update Services
(SUS
).
System files that support upgrade scenarios
Windows XP Embedded does not include system files that support upgrade scenarios to Windows XP Professional from Windows 98 or Windows 2000. These files are not necessary in Windows XP Embedded because embedded run-time operating systems are not upgraded in the same way as desktop operating systems such as Windows XP Professional.
Obsolete Windows Image Acquisition files
Windows XP Embedded does not include older versions of Windows Image Acquisition system files. These files are not necessary in Windows XP Embedded and their absence does not affect application compatibility.
MSN® Explorer
MSN Explorer is included in Windows XP Professional, but no longer ships in Windows XP Embedded.
Microsoft® Java Virtual Machine
Microsoft Java Virtual Machine is included in Windows XP Professional Service Pack 1, but is not included in Windows XP Embedded.
So think of it as a fast turn around workstaion for the enterprise.