As an encoder, a stepper motor has nothing absolute. There is no stop, no indicator of position, you have to count steps and direction to give a sense of anything. As a motor, it works tge same way.

The idea behind the project is simple: take a stepper motor, put a needle on it, and connect it to an Arduino. Instant analog gauge, measuring anything an Arduino can calculate.

Take a look at our Basic Windows Remote Arduino project to learn how to leverage this technology in your own projects. As for whether Microsoft will bring Windows 10 IoT Core directly to Arduino ...