The Community Technical Preview 1 of Windows Embedded Standard 8 is now available for download.
With the new version Microsoft has introduced many great new features such as:
Modules – With modules you can build components for your own applications and drivers, allowing you to easily add them to your embedded images – also after the image has been built via DISM!
Branding – You can add a custom boot screen and replace the Windows Logon and shutdown screen images so you can completely hide Windows from the end user.
Unified Write Filter – Microsoft has created a new write filter – the Unified Write Filter which combines the best of Enhanced Write Filter, File Based Write Filter and Registry Filter.
Enhanced Componentization – Microsoft has nearly doubled the feature packages that are available so you can build an even more customized version of Windows.
WinRT – Build Metro-Style applications for Windows Embedded Standard 8 that make use of the new powerful WinRT framework which replaces the Win32 API. Even if you don't want the new Metro UI to show up, WinRT makes building your applications easier because the new framework is available for C++, .NET and also HTML5 applications!
To find out more about Windows Embedded Standard 8 or to download the CTP please visit the Microsoft Windows Embedded website.