Windows CE Reaches of Support: What Does It Mean

EOL (End of Life) vs EOS (End of Support)

Before you start reading the post, you need to learn the difference between EOL and EOS. When a license transitions EOS, it will stop receiving security updates. When a license moves to EOL, it will no longer be available for purchase or distribution. The EOL also means that bigger changes are needed for your products.

The end of life of Windows CE means that a mobile device won’t receive security and software patch updates anymore and it doesn’t mean that the device will stop working. Users need to use legacy software to continue running, but they will be vulnerable to bugs and defenseless against viruses.

To safeguard your system after Windows CE reaches end of support, you’d better make a Windows backup by using MiniTool Partition Wizard – a piece of PC cloning software. You can also clone the hard drive to keep your data safe.

MiniTool Partition Wizard DemoClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

In addition to backing up Windows/data, MiniTool Partition Wizard also allows you to partition hard drives, format SSDs, convert MBR to GPT, check disk space usage, wipe disks, recover data from hard drives with bad sectors, etc.

Windows CE Reaches End of Support

Windows CE, released in November 1996, is a 32-bit OS for embedded devices such as smartphones, handheld computers, and something like that. There are several versions of Windows Embedded Compact since its first release. They are summarized as follows.

• Windows CE 1.0 (Released year: 1996)
• Windows CE 2.0 (Released year: 1997)
• Windows CE 3.0 (Released year: 2000)
• Windows CE 4.0 (Released year: 2002)
• Windows CE 5.0 (Released year: 2004)
• Windows Embedded CE 6.0 (Released year: 2006) (EOL: February 28, 2022; EOS: April 13, 2018)
• Windows Embedded Compact 7 (Released year: 2011) (EOL: February 28, 2026; EOS: April 13, 2021)
• Windows Embedded Compact 2013 (Released year: 2013) (EOL: May 31, 2028; EOS: October 10, 2023)

Windows Embedded CE 6.0, launched on November 1, 2006, was the first CE edition that added the name “Embedded” into the product’s official name. It reached the end of life on February 28, 2022 and reached the end of support on April 10, 2018.

Windows Embedded Compact 2013 is a product corresponding to version 8 of Windows CE. It supports x86 architecture and Armv7T2 architecture, and integrates NET Compact Framework 3.9 and Visual Studio 2012/2013/2015. It’s worth noting that it is the last major release. However, Microsoft has claimed that it will end support for “Windows Embedded Compact 2013” on October 10, 2023.

Microsoft won’t offer extended support for that operating system, but it will continue to “allow license sales until 2028” and states that existing devices will be able to continue running the OS indefinitely. Simply put, Windows Embedded Compact 2013 will end of life on May 31, 2028.

It means that Windows CE reaches EOL on May 31, 2028. To avoid data loss or secure your PC, you should back up your data or upgrade your Windows CE to a newer operating system before the end of life of Windows CE.