A version of the Windows NT operating system | |
Developer | Microsoft |
---|---|
Source model | Shared source |
Released to manufacturing |
July 8, 2006 |
Latest release | 5.1.2600.5512 Service Pack 3 (SP3) / October 7, 2008 |
Platforms | IA-32 |
Kernel type | Hybrid kernel |
License | Proprietary commercial software |
Succeeded by | Windows Thin PC |
Official website | www |
Support status | |
Mainstream support ended on April 14, 2009. Extended support ended on April 8, 2014. |
CPU | Pentium 233 MHz (300 MHz recommended) |
---|---|
Memory | 64 MB (128 MB recommended) |
Graphics hardware | 800×600 computer monitor |
Hard disk space | 610 MB minimum (1GB recommended) |
Network hardware | Optional |
Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs ("WinFLP") is a thin client operating system from Microsoft. WinFLP is based on Windows XP Embedded and is optimized for older, less powerful hardware. It was released on July 8, 2006 and is not marketed as a full-fledged general purpose operating system, although it is functionally able to perform most of the tasks generally associated with one. 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 clients or other third party clients such as Citrix ICA.
WinFLP was originally announced with the code name "Eiger" on 12 May 2005. ("Mönch" was announced as a potential follow-up project at about the same time.) The name "Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs" appeared in a press release in September 2005, when it was introduced as "formerly code-named “Eiger”" and described as "an exclusive benefit to SA [Microsoft Software Assurance] customers".
A Gartner evaluation from April 2006 stated that:
The main purpose of Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs (WinFLP) is to allow users running old PCs to be able to replace unsupported Windows NT Workstation v.4, Windows 95 and Windows 98 with a supported release of Windows XP (or, eventually, a version based on Windows Vista). [...] Because WinFLP will have the ability to run some applications locally — including Internet Explorer, media players, Instant-Messaging clients, Java Virtual Machines, terminal emulators and ICA or Remote Desktop Protocol clients, and Microsoft Office — WinFLP can be better described as a "lean client" than a "thin client."
The RTM version of Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs was released on July 8, 2006. The release was announced to the press on July 12, 2006.