How to access Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Source Code

Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Source code is accessible through two programs:

• The Shared Source program provides access to the Shared Source code available "In the Box": the Public/Sample Shared Source code and the Private Shared Source code. It is available to everybody using a licensed version of Windows Embedded CE 6.0. More Info…
• The Premium Shared Source program provides access to the Premium Shared Source code. It is available to qualified OEMs and Partners in eligible countries via a secure web site. More Info…

Each of those programs has licensing options with different rights that can help you build better devices faster.

* Rights are defined and subject to conditions described in each specific license agreement.

With the Reference right, developers can look at the Shared Source code for their reference, which means that they can see exactly how a component works. They can as a consequence use it at its best. This can help them get a deeper understanding of Windows Embedded CE and its inner design in a way that the documentation could never get. Source code is the ultimate documentation of Windows Embedded CE.

With the right to Debug, developers can debug their devices and applications all the way down to the Shared OS code. As they build a WiFi device for example, they can step through the networking driver to solve hardware or software issues. Developers have to debug their code on a daily basis, with Shared Source, the OS is no longer a black box and they can dive into it to better troubleshoot the device.

With the right to Modify, developers can edit and modify Windows Embedded CE Source code. They can modify it to tailor a component to a specific device’s use but they can also innovate on top of the existing code and add new functionalities. Developers can for example modify the file system source code to improve the performance. After the modification of the Shared Source code, customers can redistribute their commercial derivatives with their device and they can do so without having to give it back to the community.

With the right to Share, developers can, if they decide to do so, share their code modifications with customers, partners or/and other developers under the specific requirements of the license granted.

Code

The Shared Source and Shared Source Premium programs give access to essential Windows CE Source code that you can use during your device development effort. This large amount of source code can now be easily discovered by navigating the Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Shared Source Diagrams. Starting from a high level representation of the Operating System, you can click your way down to the actual source files to know whether they are shared or not.

Navigate Diagrams in your Web Browser. Download Diagrams in Visio.

The diagrams are color coded to represent the Shared Source status of files and components:

• Light blue represents the Sample/Public Shared Source code that ships with Windows Embedded CE 6.0 and that is governed by the Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Toolkit License. This Shared Source code is automatically installed with the Windows Embedded CE 6.0 toolkit.
• Medium blue represents the Private Shared Source code that ships with Windows Embedded CE 6.0 and that is governed by the Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Shared Source License. This Shared Source code can be installed from the advanced installation menu of the Windows Embedded CE 6.0 toolkit.
• Dark blue represents the Premium Shared Source code that is available to eligible Windows Embedded customers and partners. This Shared Source code can be accessed via Code Center Premium, Microsoft’s secured web-based repository for source access.
• Orange represents Windows Embedded CE Source code that is not available in Shared Source.
• White represents Windows Embedded CE components that do not contain source code or that have an unknown Shared Source Status.
  
  The color of a component will be the color of the largest common denominator in the order described above. For example if a component has 25% light blue, 35% medium blue and 40% orange, the color of the component will be medium blue because 60% of the component is medium blue or better.
  
  Below is a high level overview of the source code available in each of the Shared Source categories:
  
  

  Public / Sample Code	Private	Premium
  Hardware samples:   • BSPs • Bootloader • Drivers Additional samples for:   • DCOM • DirectX • IE • RDP • Shell • Webserver • and more	Core Windows CE OS Code:   • Kernel Library • File System • Device Manager • Storage Manager Additional Windows CE OS Code:   • HTTP Web Server • Explorer Shell • SOAP Implementations • UPnP AV toolkit • Infrared Data Association • Microsoft Message Queuing • C run-time • Binary Rom Image file system • Windows Sockets Interface • Point to Point Protocol • DHCPV6 • DVR Engine • and more	Advanced Windows CE OS Code:   • Graphic Windowing and Events Subsystem (GWES) • Networking TCP/IPv6) • More File System • More Device Drivers • and more

  
  
  Request access to more Windows CE Source Code by using the Windows CE Source Request Tool. For any other feedback, feel free to contact the Windows CE Team.   

For More Information

Microsoft Windows Embedded welcomes you requests and suggestions. Don't hesitate to give us your feedback regarding access to Windows CE Source code.

For more information about Microsoft Shared Source Licensing, visit the Shared Source Licensing Programs Web site.   

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