Examples of methods and apparatus are provided for generating, validating and applying custom extensible markup language (XML) configuration on a specific-purpose local client having a windows-based embedded image and obviating reinstallation of an entire windows-based embedded image onto the specific-purpose local client. The apparatus may include a configuration generation module configured to generate an XML configuration file and configured to validate the XML configuration file based on a validation file. The apparatus may include a retrieval module of the specific-purpose local client configured to automatically obtain the XML configuration file each time the specific-purpose local client boots up. The apparatus may include an apply settings module of the specific-purpose local client configured to automatically apply, to the windows-based embedded image, a configuration change based on the XML configuration file each time the specific-purpose local client boots up.