Configuring and customizing a specific-purpose client having a windows-based embedded image using extensible markup language (XML) configuration

A method for configuring and customizing a local client having an embedded image using extensible markup language (XML) configuration comprising:

• automatically locating, by a processor of the local client, a remote repository server containing an XML configuration file based on a user's personalized settings;
• automatically obtaining, by the processor, the XML configuration file from the remote repository server each time the local client boots up;
• automatically determining, by the processor each time the local client boots up, whether to reset a previous state of the embedded image based on the XML configuration file;
• and
• automatically applying, by the processor, a default configuration and a configuration change based on the XML configuration file to the embedded image if it is determined that the previous state is to be reset, the configuration change persisting across a reboot of the local client.

A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium encoded with instructions executable by a processing system to perform a method for configuring and customizing a local client having an embedded image using extensible markup language (XML) configuration and obviating reinstallation of an entire embedded image onto the local client, the instructions comprising code for:

• automatically locating, by a processor of the local client, a remote repository server containing an XML configuration file based on a user's personalized settings;
• automatically obtaining, by the processor, the XML configuration file from the remote repository server each time the local client boots up;
• automatically determining, by the processor each time the local client boots up, whether to reset a previous state of the embedded image based on the XML configuration file;
• and
• automatically applying, by the processor, a default configuration and a configuration change based on the XML configuration file to the embedded image if it is determined that the previous state is to be reset, the configuration change persisting across a reboot of the local client.