Microsoft® Target Designer is a set of development tools used to create custom Windows® XP Embedded Target Designer images based on the requirements of embedded system hardware and software.

In addition to providing componentized Windows XP Professional features, the component database included in Windows Target Designer also includes embedded-enabling feature components that enable a broad range of device scenarios, such as diskless and headless systems.

To achieve a highly granular level of customization, Microsoft divided Windows XP Embedded into clearly defined units of functionality called components. A component may describe a simple feature such as Notepad.exe or a larger and more complex feature such as Internet Explorer. Windows XP Embedded includes over 10,000 such components. Each component includes data that allow you to mix and match with other components and build a customized operating system runtime image that meets the requirements of your specific embedded scenario.

Windows Target Designer contains the following tools:

Target Analyzer: Use to quickly create a base runtime image that is built specifically for your target hardware. Works by automating the collection of hardware-specific data.

Target Designer: Use to rapidly develop, customize, and build embedded runtime images.

Component Designer: Provides an environment where you can define custom components to use in your embedded runtime images.

Component Database: Provides a storage area for component-level information during embedded run time image development.

Component Database Manager: Provides a storage area for component-level information during embedded runtime image development.