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Comment by ams6110 | Hacker News Reader

Why do so many commercial embedded devices use Window OS, and generally old versions like NT or XP?

Do vendors get a kickback from Microsoft to use Windows in systems that don't even have a display?

Otherwise I don't see why they would license Windows instead of using a no-cost BSD or Linux derived OS.

I have a oscilloscope which you can regularly find on eBay at a fairly high price. It's an awesome scope that runs XP and will always run XP because the vendor has moved on and no longer supports it. Given the age, it's unrealistic to expect that if they would have used a BSD or Linux kernel that wouldn't be vulnerable to any number of attacks. Thus, I would suggest the question isn't why are manufacturers using Windows, but rather, how can we get to a point where vendors either support their products for the anticipated life of the device or allow end-users to upgrade the kernel and related packages themselves?

I think a lot of it is programmer expertise. There's a lot of people out there who only use Windows and have never used a Unix and wouldn't know where to begin programming for it. Especially when you get into lowest-bidder and outsourcing situations, where the technology used isn't even a consideration when planning the project.

I have extensive experience in the embedded field and the answer is that most programmers and technicians know Windows and don't know Linux. Then of course there might be a few benefits to Windows in specific cases, but it's mostly the case of simply being familiar with it.

Concerning the display: I've seen it quite often at random public places that when a technician tries to fix something on these devices, he or she will connect an external device with display and touch screen (at least when Windows 8+ is used).

My guess is that maintenance of such systems is just much cheaper. Virtually everyone knows the Windows GUI.

Laziness. Even embedded linux things (routers, cameras, etc.) tend to have outdated packages and unnecessary binaries (netcat, etc.) left from the 'standard install'.

Lots of people only "do Windows" so that's the choice they make for the company.

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