Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs
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| Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs | |
| Screenshot | |
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| Developer | |
| Microsoft | |
| Web site: Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs | |
| Release information | |
| Release date: | July 8, 2006 [ info] |
| Current version: | RTM, July 8, 2006 [ info] |
| Source model: | Shared source |
| License: | Microsoft EULA |
| Kernel type: | Hybrid kernel |
| Support status | |
| Current | |
Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs ("WinFLP") is a thin client operating system from Microsoft, based on Windows XP Embedded, but optimized for older, less powerful hardware. It was released on July 8, 2006. Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs is not a full-fledged general purpose operating system. It includes only certain functionality for local workloads such as security, management, document viewing related tasks and the .NET Framework. It is designed to work as a client-server solution with RDP clients or other third party clients such as Citrix ICA.
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[edit] History
WinFLP was originally announced with codenames "Eiger" and "Mönch" (names of mountains in the Swiss Alps) in mid-2005.
The RTM version of Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs was released on July 8, 2006.
[edit] Technical specifications
Installer used: The type of installer used is the same type (Windows PE 2.0) used for Vista.
[edit] Features
Microsoft positions WinFLP as an operating system that provides basic computing services on older hardware, while still providing core management features of more recent Windows releases, such as Windows Firewall, Group Policy, Automatic Updates, and other management services. However, it is not considered to be a general-purpose OS by Microsoft.[1]
Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs is a Windows XP Embedded derivative and, as such, is optimized for legacy PCs. It requires significantly less system resources than the fully-featured Windows XP.[2]
WinFLP supports most Windows XP/2000 applications and drivers. It also features basic networking, extended peripheral support, DirectX, and the ability to launch the remote desktop clients from compact discs. In addition, WinFLP offers support for local applications, as well as those hosted on a remote server using Remote Desktop. It can be installed on a local hard drive, or configured to run on a diskless workstation.
[edit] Issues and limitations
Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs has numerous downsides, having fewer features than Windows XP. For example, some software, such as Outlook Express, is unavailable, even with a full install. Games and some system tools are also excluded from WinFLP.[3] In addition, the operating system does not include full support for terminal-based connections, the joystick calibration control panel (JOY.CPL), the NULL.SYS software device (used by Cygwin to implement /dev/null).[4]
WinFLP may have some compatibility issues with certain older applications and drivers.
[edit] Availability
Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs is exclusively available to Software Assurance customers, as it is designed to be an inexpensive upgrade option for corporations that have a number of Windows 9x computers, but lack the hardware necessary to support the latest Windows. It is not available through retail or OEM channels.
Microsoft has announced that a specialized version of Service Pack 3 for Windows XP will be made for WinFLP, with plans to release it three months after general availability of the mainstream version of SP3.
[edit] Hardware requirements
Despite being more optimized for older PCs, the hardware requirements are similar to Windows XP.[citation needed]
| Minimum requirements | Recommended requirements | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 233 MHz Pentium class processor or higher | 300 MHz Pentium class processor or higher |
| RAM | 64 MB | 128 MB |
| Free hard drive space | 610 MB | 1 GB |
| Display | 800 x 600 or higher display resolution |
[edit] References
- ^ Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs (2006-07-17). Retrieved on 2007-02-26. “Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs is not a general-purpose operating system”
- ^ Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs (2006-07-17). Retrieved on 2007-02-26. “based on Microsoft Windows XP Embedded Service Pack 2”
- ^ Microsoft Windows XP Fundamentals for Legacy PCs Screenshots (2007-04-13). Retrieved on 2007-04-13. “Installing all optional components requires 1151 MB of disk space”
- ^ 1.5.24 : "bash: /dev/null: No such file or directory" (Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs). cygwin mailing list archives (2007-03-12). Retrieved on 2007-03-18.
[edit] External links
- Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs Home Page - Information from Microsoft on this release
- Terminal Server Progress and Commitment - PDF presentation; WinFLP is described at the end
- Exclusive: Microsoft Windows XP Codenames: "Eiger" and "Mönch" - partial specs on Eiger and Mōnch.
- Test of Microsoft's Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs at Bink.nu
- Screenshot gallery at Bink.nu
- HDD only installation - How to install WinFLP without a bootable CDROM drive.
- Review of Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PC's
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