Since the release of Windows Embedded Compact 7 CTP, I have seen a lot of confusion among WinCE beginners on the Visual Studio versions usage. I hope this blog will give some idea to them about the relation between Visual studio and Platform builder versions.
Until WinCE 5.0 the Platform builder was installed as a separate IDE using which we had to create OSDesign and also sub-projects. For application development embedded VC++ 4.0(eVC++) IDE was used.
At the time of WinCE 6.0 release, Microsoft integrated the Platform builder into Visual Studio 2005 IDE. So from WinCE 6.0 onwards developers can create both OSDesigns as well as smart device applications using VS2005 IDE.
In Windows Embedded Compact 7, Microsoft has integrated the Platform builder as part of the VS2008. So for creating OSDesign for this version, VS2008 is needed and VS2005 will not serve the purpose.
| Features | VS2005 | VS2008 | VS2010 |
| Platform Builder | WinCE 6.0 | WinCE 7.0 | Not supported |
| Smart Device Application Development | Supported | Supported | Not Supported |
| .NET CF applicationdevelopment | v2.0 | v2.0v3.5 | Not Supported |
Since the release of VS2010 application developers are thinking to upgrade to VS2010 to explore new features. If you are developing Windows CE applications for embedded operating systems like WinCE/Windows Mobile then you cannot use VS2010 as VS2010 does not support smart device application development. Check out the following link for more detail.
If you want to develop applications for Windows Phone 7 OS, then you can download the “VS2010 Express for Windows Phone”, which is released with free license. Click here to download VS2010 Express for Windows Phone.
Zahir Hussain
vinoth
I have only VS 2008 and CE 6.0 device. I do not want to purchase VS 2005. Can I develop an application for CE 6.0 using VS 2008?
Yes you can use the VS2008 to develop application for CE 6.0.Just install the SDK provided by your BSP vendor and then while creating the new project in VS2008 select the particular SDK to start building application for WinCE 6.0 device.
I wanted to develop an application for ARM using Windows CE 6.0 for which I have installed Visual studio 2005. But I have found no link for Windows CE 6.0 free download. Can I install Windows Embedded Compact7.0 for development and use it with VS2005?
If you have the MSDN subscription you can download the WinCE 6.0 from that subscription.If you didn’t get then atleast try to get the SDK for your development kit for WinCE 6.0 using which you can either use VS2005 or VS2008 to develop application.