remotely viewing/changing files and/or registry on target Windows Embedded CE device

I had this question after viewing Need to kill an application that is auto starting on Windows CE 5.0.

I have a remote device running Windows Embedded CE 6.   I would like to add some bench automation to this unit, but like most target devices ti has an autostart routine that puts an app on a touch screen with limited functions.    I am confident I can get the automation I need if I can only poke around in the file system of the target device.   I am trying to connect to the device remotely with a Windows10 machine, so activesync is out.  I did try a windows XP machine and activesync failed, so the target device is not set up for that.   That leaves TCP/IP I guess and a connection with Visual Studio tools?   Is there a better tool?   VS requires that I install Corecon files to the target, but if I could install files to the target, I would not need Visual Studios.....  The unit can be attached with OEM software to run remotely as well as firmware updates are installed via USB connection, so I am pretty sure there is an agent installed to the target that allows this.   The unit installs to devices under Windows10 as "USB Remote NDIS Network Device".  I apologize for my novice approach here, but I am more of a hardware gy than software.   I am willing to hire this hel pout if anyone knows a contractor that works with embedded windows.     Thanks so much for reading!!

Brian