This repository contains all the resources and documentation you need to set up a Windows CE development environment without Visual Studio 2008. The setup uses SharpDevelop 3.2 as the IDE and includes:
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.NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0):
Ensure this Windows feature is enabled on your system. -
.NET Compact Framework 3.5 Redistributable:
A redistributable package needed for Windows CE development (available as a release asset). -
Power Toys for .NET Compact Framework 3.5:
Additional tools to help with development (available as a release asset). -
Beckhoff VirtualBox VM:
A pre-configured virtual machine to assist in development (available as a release asset).
- A Windows machine that can enable Windows Features.
- Enable the Windows Feature:
.NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0)
To enable, go to Control Panel > Programs and Features > Turn Windows features on or off, then check the appropriate box. - SharpDevelop 3.2 installed.
- VirtualBox (for running the Beckhoff VM).
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Enable .NET Framework 3.5:
- Open Control Panel.
- Navigate to Programs and Features.
- Click Turn Windows features on or off.
- Check .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0) and click OK.
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Install SharpDevelop 3.2:
- Download and install SharpDevelop 3.2 from your preferred source or go to the Releases section of this repository.
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Download Required Binaries:
- Go to the Releases section of this repository.
- Download the following assets:
- .NET Compact Framework 3.5 Redistributable
- Power Toys for .NET Compact Framework 3.5
- Beckhoff Windows CE VirtualBox VM
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Set Up the Beckhoff VM:
- Install VirtualBox on your machine.
- In VirtualBox, choose File > Import Appliance....
- Select the Beckhoff VM file you downloaded.
- Follow the prompts to complete the VM import.
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Start Development:
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Open SharpDevelop 3.2.
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Click File > New > Solution....
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Under the Categories section, select C#, click Compact Framework and select the Windows Application template.
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Configure your projects as needed.
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Refer to the documentation in the
docsfolder for further configuration tips.
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If you don't prefer to use GitHub, you can download the assets from the following links:
- SharpDevelop 3.2 (SourceForge)
- Beckhoff Windows CE VirtualBox VM (Beckhoff)
- .NET Compact Framework 3.5 Redistributable (Legacy Update)
- Power Toys for .NET Compact Framework 3.5 (Legacy Update)
- Microsoft Device Emulator (Legacy)
For those of you who want to develop for Beckhoff devices using TwinCAT ADS, simply add the TwinCAT.Ads.dll .NET Assembly reference located at C:\TwinCAT\AdsApi\.NET\CE\v2.0\ to your project.
There are known issues with the Windows Mobile Forms Designer. See the official wiki for more details.
In short, with SharpDevelop 3.2:
- The Form Designer may generate .NET code containing properties not supported by the Compact Framework. After editing in the designer, some auto-generated lines or keywords (e.g.,
PerformLayout()) might need to be removed manually. - Many controls available in the left panel may be added but then cause compiler errors.
- The Form Designer has no support for the
MainMenuclass (which is superseded byMenuStripin the regular .NET Framework), meaning menu code often needs to be written manually.
A forum discussion with more details is available on the Internet Archive.
Contributions to improve documentation are welcome! Please open an issue or submit a pull request for review.
I have opened up the discussion tab for further conversations.