Secure Migration From WinCE
Modernize Your Embedded Systems
Microsoft ended support for Windows CE (Windows Embedded Compact) in 2018, leaving thousands of embedded devices exposed, without security patches, modern hardware support or long-term viability. For organizations in industrial, medical, transportation and manufacturing sectors, the need to modernize is immediate.
ICS combines deep technical expertise across the full stack, from OS and BSP to UI frameworks and cloud connectivity, to help you move forward quickly and confidently.
Here’s Why Now is the Time to Move Beyond Windows CE
Increasing Risk
Unsupported systems introduce growing security and compliance exposure
Aging Platforms
Legacy hardware is reaching end-of-life, limiting reliability and future scalability
Rising User Expectations
Modern interfaces and performance are now baseline requirements, not differentiators
Complex Transition Ahead
Delaying migration increases technical debt and makes future transitions more difficult
Regulatory Pressure
Evolving standards demand supported, maintainable platforms
Modern Platform Options
| Platform | Best For | Key Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Embedded Linux/Yocto | Custom hardware, industrial HMI, medical devices | Full OS control, hardware-agnostic, strong LTS support, large ecosystem, flexible BSP integration |
| Qt/QML | High-performance, rich touch UIs on embedded or desktop | Native C++ performance, GPU-accelerated rendering, mature tooling, cross-platform (Linux, Windows, Android, QNX) |
| Flutter | Rapid UI development, consumer-grade UX, cross-platform apps | Single codebase (Dart), fast iteration, consistent UI across platforms, expanding embedded support |
| Web-Based HMI (HTML5/WebGL) | Device-agnostic UIs, remote dashboards, kiosks | Browser-based deployment, seamless updates, REST/WebSocket integration, backend flexibility (Node.js, cloud-native) |
| Windows (WinUI 3/.NET MAUI) | Windows-centric stacks, modern desktop UI, cross-platform C# apps | Native Microsoft UI stack – WinUI 3 provides the richest, pixel-perfect modern UI that MS offers, MAUI enables cross-platform apps, strong tooling (Visual Studio), C#/C++ interop |
| QNX/RTOS | Safety-critical, real-time systems (automotive, industrial control) | Deterministic behavior, POSIX-compliant, certified for ISO 26262/IEC 61508, proven reliability |
ICS is Your End-to-End Partner for WinCE Platform Transformation
Platform & OS Migration
- Legacy system migrations
- Assessment of existing WinCE BSP, drivers and middleware
- Yocto/OpenEmbedded build configuration and layer creation
- U-Boot bootloader bring-up and kernel porting
- Device driver migration (display, touch, serial, CAN, USB)
- Board support package (BSP) development for custom SoMs
UI Framework Porting
- WinCE porting to the latest MS platforms for UI and embedded projects
- WinCE GDI/MFC → Qt/QML with modern, touch-optimized UX
- Photon → Qt migration using ICS' proven porting tooling
- HTML5/WebGL HMI development with REST and WebSocket back-ends
- Flutter application development for embedded and desktop targets
Application & Middleware Modernization
- Microservices on embedded systems
- CI/CD for embedded
- Win32/.NET CF code refactoring to cross-platform C++17/Qt APIs
- Mono/.NET Core integration on Yocto for .NET-heavy codebases
- CAN bus, Modbus, and industrial protocol integration with Qt Serial Bus
- Cloud connectivity — MQTT, REST, Azure IoT, AWS, IoT Greengrass
Quality, Security & Compliance
- Cybersecurity hardening — secure boot, code signing, encrypted storage
- Regulatory support for FDA, IEC 62304, ISO 26262, IEC 61508
- Testing, validation and documentation services
- Long-term maintenance planning
- Training — Qt, Yocto, Embedded Linux for your internal teams
ICS is the Right Choice
Qt Leadership
#1 independent Qt partner in North America, with thousands of shipped embedded, desktop and mobile systems
MS Windows Development
Experts in the latest Windows UI tooling and the complete .NET pipeline
Embedded Linux Depth
Hands-on Yocto, BSP and driver expertise, avoiding common pitfalls and accelerating bring-up
Full-Stack Coverage
From BSP and OS through UI, cloud, UX and regulatory compliance
Accelerated Porting
Proven tools and workflows (e.g. Photon-to-Qt) that reduce risk and shorten timelines
Regulated Industry Experience
Medical, industrial, transportation, aerospace and IoT, with certification requirements built in
Flexible Engagement
Staff augmentation, turnkey delivery or expert consulting aligned to your timeline