Embedded Enabling Features

Windows XP Embedded contains several embedded features which adds additional value, functionality and security to your images.

Enhanced Write Filter

The Enhanced Write Filter will redirect all writes on a disk into the RAM. This way the data on the disk itself will not be changed.
After a reboot all changes are undone and the image itself is in it original state.
If there are changes which need to be persisted you can commit the whole RAM overlay to the disk. 
The Enhanced Write Filter is a low level filter driver which works on disk level - it is not aware of the filesystem itself.

File Based Write Filter

In opposite to the Enhanced Write Filter the File Based Write filter is a higher level filter driver.
It hooks between the filesystem and the disk. Therefore it is aware of the filesystem which enables additional features.
With the File Based Write Filter you can create exclusions on file and folder level. Data written in these execlusions are written
directly to the disk while all other changes are cached in the RAM overlay.

Registry Filter

The Registry Filter allows to persist key in the Windows Registry even when a filter driver is enabled.
This is important for example for Terminal Server CALs or the Domain Key.

Hibernate Once Resume Many

The Hibernate Once Resume Many (HORM) feature works together with the Enhanced Writer Filter.
It enables you to hibernate the system with active EWF filter driver.
Every time you boot up the system it will resume from the same previously saved state.
HORM will speed up the boot process as it will always resume from hibernation.

USB Boot

Windows XP Embedded has a special USB driver included which allows booting directly from USB.

Custom Shell

Windows XP Embedded allows you to customize the user experience by enabling you to brand the system
beginning at the bootlogo, removing the Windows Logonscreen and the setting a custom user shell.