What is the difference between Windows Embedded Standard 7 and Windows Thin PC?
Windows Thin PC has been developed using the Windows Embedded Standard 7 (WES7) codebase, which in turn has been derived from the proven Windows 7 platform. Although both products look
and feel very similar and share common features, there are some differences. These include:
1. Availability: WES7 is only available on thin client devices through the OEM channel, while WinTPC is available as an SA benefit through Microsoft Volume Licensing (VL).
2. Pricing: WES7 is sold to OEMs, and thin client devices are then purchased from the OEM. WinTPC is free of cost to SA customers, while non-SA customers will have to buy SA, Windows SA, or Windows Intune to get WinTPC.
3. Image size: WinTPC has a fixed image size, while WES7 images are flexible and can be configured by the OEM. This may result in WES7 images having either smaller or larger footprints than WinTPC devices, depending on the configurations defined by the OEM device.
4. Hardware efficiency: WES7 thin client hardware is usually more locked down and power efficient than WinTPC devices, which are repurposed PCs.
5. Enterprise features: Features such as BitLocker, AppLocker, and DirectAccess are built into the base image, while these features are available on request from OEMs.