Oh boy, this is interesting… This is the information that is available on the Microsoft website:

“Ship Windows PE-enabled solutions in a retail setting. Previously-released versions of Windows PE have been available for license only to OEMs and corporations. Beginning with the interim versions of the Windows PE platform, Microsoft has created a new licensing option that also allows ISVs, IHVs, and ODMs to license any release of Windows PE. This license also provides the ability to develop, test, and ship solutions in a retail setting.

For example, if a licensed company creates a generic application that is capable of running on top of Windows PE on all Windows-based computer systems, they can ship that solution in the retail market for profit. This includes IHVs and ISVs who create test and diagnostic toolsets for OEM/ODM usage, and for retail sale to consumers in the marketplace. Examples of this include software applications such as virus scanning applications, as well as tools for testing and diagnosing boot failures or related issues. See the Tools Agreement license for more information.”

What this means? Or what do I think this means? Well first of all it is clear you can license Windows PE now. What you can legally do with it, I am not sure and that is the big question. As it works with PXE, you could in theory develop a web based management interface that will deploy Windows PE to all remote computers and connect to Terminal Servers using RDP. Or even to Citrix using ICA.

As ‘Eiger’ (see my previous blog post) this has MANY benefits over any Linux based thin client solution. First of all it is supported by Microsoft. Secondly it fully supports RDP (what RDesktop on Linux does NOT). This could be by far the best platform for ThinClient type OSs. I will contact them and check if there is any restriction on their licensing model that would prevent that.

I will post my findings here…