1. An apparatus 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 comprising: a configuration generation module configured to generate an XML configuration file and configured to validate the XML configuration file based on a validation file; 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; and 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, wherein the configuration change persists across a reboot of the specific-purpose local client while obviating reinstallation of an entire windows-based embedded image with the configuration change on the specific-purpose local client, and wherein the windows-based embedded image supports a graphical user interface and comprises an operating system and one or more applications dedicated to the specific purpose.