Ascertaining the Windows CE / Handheld PC version of your Handheld PC

Applies To

• Windows CE 1.0
• Windows CE 2.0
• Windows CE 2.10, 2.11, 2.12
• Handheld PC Professional
• Windows CE 3.0
• HPC2000
• Windows CE .net 4.0, 4.1, 4.2
• Windows CE 5.0

Overview

This article overviews how to ascertain the Windows CE / Handheld PC operating version installed on your Handheld PC device.

More Info

Windows CE / Handheld PC naming conventions can be particularly confusing for new users. Ensuring that you are properly informed over which Handheld PC and Windows CE operating system revision you are using can save you time and frustration when setting out in the Handheld PC world.

Most Windows CE devices are configured, as with their desktop counterparts, with a control panel. The Windows CE version / Handheld PC version (if applicable) can be located here.

To access the Control Panel System Applet:

1. Tap or click Start
2. Select Settings
3. Then chose Control Panel
4. Launch the System applet

The naming conventions of where the Operating System version can be found differ from device to device, and between H/PC release.

The Information you require will usually be located on:

• The General tab (Windows CE 1.0 & 2.0 and Core OS releases)
• The System Tab (Platform Releases)

There are two sets of information that you may want to look out for. The Windows CE version and the H/PC version.
The Windows CE version will either be listed literally as "Windows CE #.#" / "Windows CE version #.#" or will be referenced as "Core System Version #.#". In both cases this refers to the Windows CE Core version of the device, on-top of which the Handheld PC platform (if applicable) sits.

Some examples of Windows CE / Handheld PC versions information screens are shown below.

If you are using a Platform release, on the System tab there will be a reference to either HPC2000 or Handheld PC Professional 3.0. For the purpose of clarity all users who see Handheld PC Professional 3.0 should be aware that the Windows CE version remains the value listed next to Core. The 3.0 refers to the Platform revision (to which there are Handheld PC 1.0 and Handheld PC 2.0)