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How to Get and Use Windows CE 6.0 VHD Images for x86 Emulators and Hypervisors
Windows CE 6.0 VHD Download: How to Run Windows CE on Your PC
Windows CE is an operating system developed by Microsoft for embedded devices, such as industrial controllers, consumer electronics, handheld computers, and smartphones. It has been around for more than 20 years and has powered many devices that you may have used or seen before.
windowsce60vhddownload
But did you know that you can also run Windows CE on your PC? Yes, you can also run Windows CE on your PC? Yes, you can, and in this article, we will show you how to do it with a Windows CE 6.0 VHD download. You will also learn why you might want to run Windows CE on your PC, and some tips and tricks for making the most of it.
What is Windows CE?
Windows CE is an operating system developed by Microsoft for embedded devices, such as industrial controllers, consumer electronics, handheld computers, and smartphones. It has been around for more than 20 years and has powered many devices that you may have used or seen before.
Windows CE is designed to be compact, efficient, and customizable. It supports various CPU architectures, such as x86, ARM, MIPS, and SH4. It also supports a range of features and applications, such as graphical user interface (GUI), web browser, media player, file explorer, email client, and more.
Windows CE is not a single product, but rather a family of products that share a common core. The most recent version of Windows CE is Windows Embedded Compact 2013, which was released in 2013. However, the most popular and widely used version of Windows CE is Windows CE 6.0, which was released in 2006.
Why Run Windows CE on Your PC?
There are several possible reasons and scenarios for running Windows CE on your PC, such as:
Testing: If you are a developer or a tester of Windows CE applications or devices, you may want to run Windows CE on your PC to test your code or functionality without needing a physical device.
Development: If you are a developer or a hobbyist of Windows CE applications or devices, you may want to run Windows CE on your PC to develop your code or prototype your ideas without needing a physical device.
Nostalgia: If you are a fan or a user of Windows CE devices from the past, such as Pocket PCs or Handheld PCs, you may want to run Windows CE on your PC to relive the memories or experience the nostalgia of using them.
Curiosity: If you are curious or interested in Windows CE as an operating system or a platform, you may want to run Windows CE on your PC to explore its features or capabilities or compare it with other operating systems.
No matter what your reason or scenario is, running Windows CE on your PC can be fun and educational. You can learn more about the history and evolution of Windows CE, its architecture and components, its strengths and limitations, and its applications and possibilities.
How to Run Windows CE on Your PC
To run Windows CE on your PC, you will need two things: a Windows CE 6.0 VHD image and an emulator or a hypervisor. A VHD image is a file that contains the data of a virtual hard disk. An emulator or a hypervisor is a software that allows you to create and run a virtual machine that mimics the hardware and software of another system.
In this article, we will guide you through the steps of downloading and installing a Windows CE 6.0 VHD image and running it on an emulator or a hypervisor. We will also show you how to configure the settings and options for the virtual machine and how to start and use the Windows CE 6.0 operating system.
Downloading a Windows CE 6.0 VHD Image
The first step is to find and download a Windows CE 6.0 VHD image from the Internet. There are several sources where you can download such an image, but one of the most reliable and convenient ones is the Internet Archive . The Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library that preserves and provides access to millions of books, movies, music, software, websites, and more.
To download a Windows CE 6.0 VHD image from the Internet Archive , follow these steps:
Go to , which is the page for the file named "CE6R3.iso". This file contains the installation files for Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R3 , which is an update for Windows CE 6.0 that adds some new features and improvements.
On the right side of the page, under "Download Options", click on "ISO IMAGE" to download the file as an ISO image. An ISO image is a file that contains the data of an optical disc.
Save the file to your preferred location on your PC. The file size is about 1 GB.
Once the download is complete, extract the contents of the file using a software that can handle ISO images, such as 7-Zip, WinRAR, or PowerISO. You can also mount the ISO image as a virtual drive using a software such as Virtual CloneDrive or Daemon Tools.
Among the extracted or mounted files, look for the file named "CE6R3.vhd". This file is the Windows CE 6.0 VHD image that you need. Copy or move the file to your preferred location on your PC. The file size is about 2 GB.
Congratulations, you have successfully downloaded a Windows CE 6.0 VHD image from the Internet Archive . You can also download other Windows CE 6.0 VHD images from other sources, such as or , but make sure that they are compatible with the emulator or hypervisor that you will use.
Choosing an Emulator or a Hypervisor
The next step is to choose an emulator or a hypervisor that can run the Windows CE 6.0 VHD image on your PC. An emulator is a software that simulates the hardware and software of another system, such as a game console, a smartphone, or a computer. A hypervisor is a software that creates and manages virtual machines, which are isolated environments that run on the same physical system.
The difference between an emulator and a hypervisor is that an emulator usually provides more accuracy and compatibility, but at the cost of more resources and performance. A hypervisor usually provides more speed and efficiency, but at the cost of less functionality and flexibility.
There are several emulators and hypervisors that support Windows CE 6.0 VHD images, such as:
VirtualBox: VirtualBox is a free and open-source hypervisor that can run various operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android. It has a user-friendly interface and supports many features, such as snapshots, shared folders, drag and drop, and USB devices.
VMware: VMware is a commercial hypervisor that can run various operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android. It has a professional interface and supports many features, such as cloning, encryption, networking, and sound.
QEMU: QEMU is a free and open-source emulator that can run various operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android. It has a command-line interface and supports many features, such as dynamic translation, debugging, and migration.
Microsoft Virtual PC: Microsoft Virtual PC is a free hypervisor that can run various versions of Windows, such as Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. It has a simple interface and supports some features, such as undo disks, mouse integration, and clipboard sharing.
The choice of emulator or hypervisor depends on your preference and needs. You can try different options and see which one works best for you. In this article, we will use VirtualBox as an example of how to install and run a Windows CE 6.0 VHD image on your PC.
Installing and Running a Windows CE 6.0 VHD Image
The final step is to create a virtual machine and load the Windows CE 6.0 VHD image on the chosen emulator or hypervisor. A virtual machine is a software representation of a physical machine that runs on another system. It has its own hardware components, such as CPU, memory, disk, and network.
In this article, we will use VirtualBox as an example of how to create a virtual machine and load the Windows CE 6.0 VHD image on it. To do so, follow these steps:
Download and install VirtualBox from . The installation process is straightforward and does not require any special configuration.
Launch VirtualBox and click on the "New" button to create a new virtual machine.
Name the virtual machine as "Windows CE 6.0" or anything you like.
Select "Other" as the type of operating system and "Other/Unknown" as the version.
Assign the amount of memory (RAM) for the virtual machine. The recommended amount is 256 MB or more.
Select "Use an existing virtual hard disk file" as the hard disk option and click on the folder icon to browse for the Windows CE 6.0 VHD image that you downloaded earlier.
Click on "Create" to finish creating the virtual machine.
Select the virtual machine from the list and click on "Settings" to configure some options for it.
In the settings window, go to the "System" section and uncheck the "Enable EFI (special OSes only)" option under the "Motherboard" tab. This option is not compatible with Windows CE 6.0 and may cause boot errors.
In the same section, go to the "Processor" tab and adjust the number of CPUs for the virtual machine. The recommended number is 1 or 2.
In the same section, go to the "Acceleration" tab and enable the "Enable VT-x/AMD-V" and "Enable Nested Paging" options. These options improve the performance and stability of the virtual machine.
In the "Display" section, go to the "Screen" tab and adjust the amount of video memory for the virtual machine. The recommended amount is 16 MB or more.
In the same section, go to the "Remote Display" tab and enable the "Enable Server" option. This option allows you to access the virtual machine remotely using a VNC client.
In the "Network" section, go to the "Adapter 1" tab and enable the "Enable Network Adapter" option. This option allows you to connect the virtual machine to the Internet or a local network.
In the same tab, select "Bridged Adapter" as the attached to option and choose your network adapter from the name drop-down menu. This option allows you to share your network connection with the virtual machine.
In the same tab, click on the "Advanced" button and select "PCnet-FAST III (Am79C973)" as the adapter type. This option is compatible with Windows CE 6.0 and may prevent network errors.
In the same tab, click on the "MAC Address" button and generate a new MAC address for the virtual machine. This option may prevent network conflicts with other devices.
In the "Audio" section, enable the "Enable Audio" option and select "Windows DirectSound" as the host audio driver and "SoundBlaster 16" as the controller. These options are compatible with Windows CE 6.0 and may enable sound output for the virtual machine.
Click on "OK" to save the settings for the virtual machine.
Select the virtual machine from the list and click on "Start" to launch it.
Wait for a few seconds until you see the Windows CE 6.0 boot screen and then the desktop.
Congratulations, you have successfully installed and run a Windows CE 6.0 VHD image on your PC using VirtualBox . You can now use Windows CE 6.0 as if it were running on a physical device.
Tips and Tricks for Running Windows CE on Your PC
Now that you have run Windows CE 6.0 on your PC, you may want to optimize its performance and functionality. Here are some useful tips and tricks for running Windows CE on your PC:
Enabling Network Connectivity
One of the most important features of running Windows CE on your PC is network connectivity. Network connectivity allows you to access the Internet or local network resources, such as websites, files, printers, or other devices. To enable network connectivity for Windows CE on your PC, follow these steps:
Make sure that you have configured the network settings for the virtual machine as described in the previous section.
On the Windows CE desktop, click on the "Start" button and then on "Settings".
On the Settings window, click on the "Connections" tab and then on the "Network and Dial-up Connections" icon.
On the Network and Dial-up Connections window, double-click on the "Local Area Connection" icon.
On the Local Area Connection window, click on the "Properties" button.
On the Local Area Connection Properties window, click on the "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" item and then on the "Properties" button.
On the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window, select the "Obtain an IP address automatically" and "Obtain DNS server address automatically" options. These options allow Windows CE to get the network information from your PC.
Click on "OK" to close the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window.
Click on "OK" to close the Local Area Connection Properties window.
Click on "OK" to close the Local Area Connection window.
Click on "OK" to close the Network and Dial-up Connections window.
Click on "OK" to close the Settings window.
You have now enabled network connectivity for Windows CE on your PC. You can test it by opening the Internet Explorer browser and visiting any website. You can also access local network resources by using the File Explorer or the Network Neighborhood icons on the desktop.
Installing Additional Software
Another useful feature of running Windows CE on your PC is installing additional software. Installing additional software allows you to enhance the functionality and usability of Windows CE, such as adding pocket versions of Microsoft Office applications or third-party apps. To install additional software for Windows CE on your PC, follow these steps:
Find and download a software that is compatible with Windows CE 6.0 and has a .cab file extension. A .cab file is a compressed archive that contains the installation files for a software. You can find such software from various sources, such as or .
Copy or move the .cab file to your preferred location on your PC.
On the Windows CE desktop, click on the "Start" button and then on "Programs".
On the Programs window, click on the "ActiveSync" icon. ActiveSync is a software that allows you to synchronize data between Windows CE and your PC.
On the ActiveSync window, click on the "Explore" button. This will open a File Explorer window that shows the files and folders of your PC.
Navigate to the location where you saved the .cab file on your PC and double-click on it. This will start the installation process for the software on Windows CE.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation process for the software. You may need to accept some terms and conditions, choose a destination folder, or restart Windows CE.
Once the installation is complete, you can find and launch the software from the "Start" menu or the desktop.
You have now installed additional software for Windows CE on your PC. You can install as many software as you want, as long as you have enough disk space and memory on Windows CE. You can also uninstall any software that you don't need by using the "Remove Programs" icon on the Settings window.
Transferring Files Between Windows CE and Your PC
A final useful feature of running Windows CE on your PC is transferring files between Windows CE and your PC. Transferring files allows you to exchange data and information between Windows CE and your PC, such as documents, images, music, or videos. To transfer files between Windows CE and your PC, you can use various methods, such as:
Serial cable: You can use a serial cable to connect Windows CE and your PC via their serial ports. You will need a null modem adapter or a crossover cable to make this connection. You will also need to configure the serial settings on both Windows CE and your PC, such as baud rate, parity, data bits, and stop bits. You can then use a software such as HyperTerminal or PuTTY to transfer files between Windows CE and your PC.
Infrared connection: You can use an infrared connection to connect Windows CE and your PC via their infrared ports. You will need to enable the infrared settings on both Windows CE and your PC, such as device name, service name, and security level. You can then use a software such as IrDA File Transfer or IrCOMM2k to transfer files between Windows CE and your PC.
Network share: You can use a network share to connect Windows CE and your PC via their network adapters. You will need to enable the network settings on both Windows CE and your PC, such as IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS server. You will also need to create a shared folder on your PC and give it a name and permissions. You can then use the File Explorer or the Network Neighborhood icons on Windows CE to access the shared folder on your PC and transfer files between them.
USB flash drive: You can use a USB flash drive to connect Windows CE and your PC via their USB ports. You will need to enable the USB settings on both Windows CE and your PC, such as device mode, host mode, and mass storage mode. You will also need to format the USB flash drive with a file system that is compatible with both Windows CE and your PC, such as FAT32 or NTFS. You can then use the File Explorer icon on Windows CE or your PC to access the USB flash drive and transfer files between them.
These are some of the methods that you can use to transfer files between Windows CE and your PC. You can choose the method that suits your needs and preferences. You can also use other methods that are not mentioned here, such as Bluetooth connection, wireless connection, or cloud storage.
Conclusion
In this article, we have shown you how to run Windows CE on your PC with a Windows CE 6.0 VHD download. We have also given you some reasons and scenarios for running Windows CE on your PC, and some tips and tricks for optimizing its performance and functionality.
Running Windows CE on your PC can be a fun and educational experience. You can learn more about the history and evolution of Windows CE, its architecture FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about running Windows CE on your PC:
What are the system requirements for running Windows CE on your PC?
The system requirements for running Windows CE on your PC depend on the emulator or hypervisor that you use. However, as a general guideline, you will need the following:
A PC with a 933 MHz or faster processor, 2 GHz recommended
512 MB of RAM, 1 GB recommended
18 GB of available space on installation drive
1 GB of available space on system drive
DVD-ROM drive
Monitor that supports 1024 x 768 screen resolution with 16-bit color
A Windows CE 6.0 VHD image
An emulator or hypervisor that supports Windows CE 6.0 VHD images, such as VirtualBox, VMware, QEMU, or Microsoft Virtual PC
How can I update Windows CE 6.0 on my PC?
To update Windows CE 6.0 on your PC, you will need to download and install the latest cumulative product update rollup package from Microsoft. This package contains all the updates released for Windows Embedded CE 6.0 up through a certain date. You can find the latest package at . To install the package, follow these steps:
Download the package that matches the CPU architecture of your Windows CE 6.0 VHD image