Windows Embedded 8 Standard is the new flexible embedded operating system that can be customized to your needs! It is split in more than 250 modules that allow you to select only that parts of the operating system that are really needed. The installation is very easy and is done directly on the target device by using the Image Builder Wizard.

13 Reasons for Windows Embedded 8 Standard

1. Easy Setup

Windows Embedded 8 Standard features an easy setup wizard (Image Builder Wizard) that allows you the installation directly on the target device. Discover a new easy to use setup experience in the embedded area.

2. Lockdown Features

Add additional security to your embedded images by using the Lockdown Features. Windows Embedded 8 Standard introduces the new Unified Write Filter that combines the best of Enhanced Write Filter, File Based Write Filter and Registry Filter!

3. Componentized

Windows Embedded 8 Standard is even more componentized and offers more than 250 feature packs so you can customize the image the way you need it.

4. Modules

Windows Embedded 8 Standard introduces a new feature that allows you to build custom components for your applications and/or drivers. These custom components are called Modules. You can easily create custom Modules with the Module Designer.

5. Embedded Lockdown Manager

The new Embedded Lockdown Manager allows administrators to manage the Lockdown Features remotely. This can be done via graphically the new MMC Snap-In or with PowerShell scripts using the enhanced WMI interface.

The MMC Snap-In allows easy configuration of the Unified Write Filter, Keyboard Filter Driver, Dialog Filter and Shell Launcher.

6. Security

Use Secure Boot to ensure that only a verified image of Windows Embedded 8 Standard can be booted on the device.
Protect the systems harddisk with BitLocker and bind it to the TPM chip. This way the harddisk will only work if it is in the device – all your IP will be protected.

7. Branding

Use Unbranded Boot to suppress the bootlogo and block access to the boot manager. Or use Custom Logon to suppress the logon screen and remove all Windows status messages. With the branding features you can completely hide Windows from the end-user.

8. Modern UI

With Windows Embedded 8 Standard you can also include the new Modern UI to allow finger-friendly input on your devices. Even if you don’t need the new Modern interface you can make use of the new powerful WinRT library when building your applications.

9. Keyboard Filter Driver

Block any unwanted key and/or key combinations with the Keyboard Filter Driver. Then new version also supports filtering keys from the On-Screen-Keyboard!

10. Language Packs

Windows Embedded 8 Standard is available in more than 30 languages. You can switch the language on the fly.

11. Deployment Image Servicing And Management (DISM)

Add Windows features on the fly. You don’t need to reinstall Windows – just add the features you need.

12. WinRT

Windows Embedded 8 Standard also includes the new Windows Runtime which is Microsofts new powerful framework for building the next generation applications. WinRT is considered as a replacement for the Win32 API and allows you to access all the systems functions very easily from within C++, .NET and even HTML5 applications

13. VHD Boot

Install your Windows directly into a VHD file and boot from it. This enables you many features beginning from easier servicing, cloning, etc.

Image Build Process

Windows Embedded 8 Standard offers an easy way to create your images. The image is being build directly on the target hardware using Image Build Wizard. This tool offers an easy to use graphical setup wizard, similar to the normal Windows 8 setup, which guides you through the whole image build process.

Alternatively you can use the Image Configuration Editor on a development machine to pre-configure your image and create an answer file. This answer file can be used together with the Image Builder Wizard on the target device to run the setup unattended.

Windows Embedded 8 Standard includes additional features such as the Unified Write Filter to protect your image, the new WinRT framework, Gesture Filter, Windows Store Application Launcher and it also allows enhanced branding so you can hide Windows from the end user. Also you can use the new Embedded Lockdown Manager to configure the Lockdown Features locally or even remotely – either by using the MMC Snap-In or PowerShell scripts.

Webinar

To get a technical overview about Windows Embedded 8 Standard you can watch our webinar recording here.

Licenses and Toolkit

Licensenumber	Description	Notes
7WT-00094	Windows Embedded 8 Standard Runtime License	Each device needs one license
5CA-00054	Windows Embedded 8 Standard Toolkit	The toolkit it free of charge and also available for download athttp://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/download-8-standard.aspx Toolkit to create your Windows Embedded 8 Standard images – only needed once

Please Note: Product Keys for the this product are no longer shipped with the runtime license envelopes. The request your product key please follow the steps atProduct Key Information.

Toolkit Information

The toolkit for Windows Embedded 8 Standard is free of charge and can be downloaded from http://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/download-8-standard.aspx.

To download you are required to sign-in with your Windows Live-ID.

Please fill out all required fields to get access to the download and the product key for the Image Configuration Editor.

Please Note: The product key is only for the Image Configuration Editor and not for the target image creation. Product keys for the target image must be retrieved directly from Microsoft per email. To get more information about this process please go to our Product Key Information website.

Availability and Support

Available	End of Mainstream Support	End of Extended Support
2028	10.07.2018	11.07.2023