This week marked the 27th birthday of the original unveiling of the first generation of Handheld PC and what would quickly become known as Windows CE 1.0.

Revealed to the world at COMDEX 96, Windows CE formed the basis of Microsoft's mobile device strategy right up until its replacement with the modularised NT kernel in 2013. Despite its relegation to Microsoft's least favourite child, as reported here on HPC:Factor in October, Windows CE clung on as a product right up until 10th October 2023 when Windows Embedded Compact 2013 (Windows CE 8.0) was finally transitioned to end of life.

So as we roll around another year, we note that it is a shame that CE was unable to hang-on to life for another month to see its 27th birthday. So instead perhaps you'll raise a glass to all that was over this weekend and wish Windows CE a happy birthday - now gone, but not forgotten.