Hi, this is probably a very basic question but it really puzzles me: is it possible to remove files and applications from Windows Mobile? For example, say I don't want that solitaire or bubble breaker games, or even the MSN thing. Is it possible to uninstall them? How?
On Windows XP there's an application called 'xp lite' that allows you to do just that.
I don't want the themes, I don't want the wallpaper, the sounds, the applicatins I didn't install like IE and Outlook and whatever else. All I want is the core windows mobile + whatever I install on it. Is it possible?
Any pointer or information would be greatly appreciated!
TIA!
Not really. It maybe possible to remove the theme, the wallpaper, but the applications (IE, Games, Outlook, MSN, etc) and some of the WAV files (e.g. Alarm1.wav) are in the ROM. Unless you are going to flash your ROM, there are no possible way to remove it.
I'm not sure why you want to do this, but if you are for space saving purposes, you are out of luck.
However, if you wanted just to disable the application, you may create a dummy exe and overwrite the original file. When the original (ROM) file is overwritten by a new file, the ROM one will not be visible. Of course, the person using it will just have to delete the file to reveal the ROM one.
Thanks for your reply. Is there a guide somewhere on how all this works? The rom, how files are handled, how the memory is used, etc?
Related
Hi
I just found a piece of software that claims to backup WM5 contacts it is 'ns contacts backup' from http://www.nyxbull.net/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownloaddetails&lid=10
Anyway, I have had to install .NET Compact Framework v2.0, another 'Microsoft Bloater' that forced me to remove programs from memory to install it as it wanted nearly 6MB of main memory.
Anyway I have it installed now, do I need to keep it on my Hard Drive? This lousy piece of software installs just "one 5MB CAB file", yet it takes 91.0MB of Hard Drive space, and demands over 130MB to install itself, all for a 5MB CAB file.
Does anyone know which CAB it actually installs, I could not make out the full name on my Phone during install?
I was just wondering, after Hard Reset can .NET Compact Framework v2.0, be reinstalled by a local CAB file on the storage card, rather than using this bloated installer again?
Thanks
This lousy piece of software installs just "one 5MB CAB file", yet it takes 91.0MB of Hard Drive space, and demands over 130MB to install itself, all for a 5MB CAB file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's Micro$oft - what did you expect? :lol:
Sorry I can't answer you question regarding cab name since I am avoiding .NET CF like fire.
I am sure though that if you find the cab you can use it to install after hard reset.
Try this:
Start the installer, while ActiveSync asks you if to install to default location go to ActiveSync folder on your PC (probably in program files) and look for a cab (any cab) it should be there, or at least an *.ini file that contains the path to it (maybe the cab is in temp folder).
As for backing up contacts, there is a simple and painless way that doesn't require any installation.
In the built in file explorer select "show all files" option. Then in the root of the device you will see a file named 'pim.vol'. Just copy that to your SD.
Also I read that the new version of .NET CF 2.1 lets you install most of it on SD to save memory, but like I said I didn't try it and I don't recommend it either.
levenum said:
Sorry I can't answer you question regarding cab name since I am avoiding .NET CF like fire.
I am sure though that if you find the cab you can use it to install after hard reset.
Try this:
Start the installer, while ActiveSync asks you if to install to default location go to ActiveSync folder on your PC (probably in program files) and look for a cab (any cab) it should be there, or at least an *.ini file that contains the path to it (maybe the cab is in temp folder).
As for backing up contacts, there is a simple and painless way that doesn't require any installation.
In the built in file explorer select "show all files" option. Then in the root of the device you will see a file named 'pim.vol'. Just copy that to your SD.
Also I read that the new version of .NET CF 2.1 lets you install most of it on SD to save memory, but like I said I didn't try it and I don't recommend it either.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for that, the contacts were the only thing stopping me Hard Resetting and reinstalling. I have spent the past few weeks installing and uninstalling trying different software and settings to get the phone the way I want it. Now I have everything, I can reset and install everything fresh, that should then be my phone finished, until something else catches my eye.
Sorry forgot to say, so what is the purpose of Outlook with relation to this phone?
As I said, it does not pick up the phone as a device or drive, and activesync says it cannot be used for backing up contacts, so what purpose does it serve?
Seems pointless to me, would have been better if Microsoft built in some proper contact management software, after all this device was designed for business use.
NewSPV said:
Sorry forgot to say, so what is the purpose of Outlook with relation to this phone?
As I said, it does not pick up the phone as a device or drive, and activesync says it cannot be used for backing up contacts, so what purpose does it serve?
Seems pointless to me, would have been better if Microsoft built in some proper contact management software, after all this device was designed for business use.
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Click to collapse
The fact that ActiveSync synchronizes contacts between the device and OutLook means that your contacts ARE backed up. Well that may be how they (M$) see it any way.
TheBrit said:
NewSPV said:
Sorry forgot to say, so what is the purpose of Outlook with relation to this phone?
As I said, it does not pick up the phone as a device or drive, and activesync says it cannot be used for backing up contacts, so what purpose does it serve?
Seems pointless to me, would have been better if Microsoft built in some proper contact management software, after all this device was designed for business use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The fact that ActiveSync synchronizes contacts between the device and OutLook means that your contacts ARE backed up. Well that may be how they (M$) see it any way.
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Click to collapse
But I am not getting anything in Outlook. It is just sitting there doing nothing, when I look down the device list my phone is not there, so how do I use it?
Thanks
Hi again
I have been doing some more digging and I have found that the CAB required is 'NETCFv2.wm.armv4i.cab', this CAB is 2.13 MB (2,240,512 bytes), so Microsoft requires over 130 MB to install itself, and hogs 91.0 MB (95,473,664 bytes) of Hard Drive space for a 2.13 MB CAB.
I found this info on http://blogs.msdn.com/netcfteam/archive/2005/10/11/479793.aspx
To save everyone the trouble I had, I tried uploading the CAB but for some reason it is not being accepted on this post, all I am getting is sending request to forum, nothing is happening. If it is wanted I will try again later.
Doesn't the latest version of .NET CF allow you to install into Storage or Storage Card?
Ultimate Chicken said:
Doesn't the latest version of .NET CF allow you to install into Storage or Storage Card?
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Click to collapse
I thought so. I had over 80MB left on my storage card, I selected storage card, but it kept giving me an error message saying I did not have enough main storage. I had to remove programs to install it, all I wanted to do was backup my contacts. Thanks to flaming Microsoft again, we get a business phone where you can not manage contacts. Microsoft the company that can never get anything right and makes Bill Gates the richest man in history, you couldn't make up such a story, could you?
Ultimate Chicken said:
Doesn't the latest version of .NET CF allow you to install into Storage or Storage Card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought so. I had over 80MB left on my storage card, I selected storage card, but it kept giving me an error message saying I did not have enough main storage. I had to remove programs to install it, all I wanted to do was backup my contacts. Thanks to flaming Microsoft again, we get a business phone where you can not manage contacts. Microsoft the company that can never get anything right and makes Bill Gates the richest man in history, you couldn't make up such a story, could you?
Why are my posts being sent twice?
I only submit once.
Little explanation about ActiveSync and Outlook:
Your device doesn't appear anywhere as a separate ... anything.
You get a folder in file explorer that lets you browse the device, but that's it.
As for Outlook, everything that is in there and you choose to sync is copied to the Outlook on the phone and viceversa.
You can choose to sync contacts, appointments, mail, notes and tasks. You can choose how far back the device will save mails and appointments to save space. You can also sync directly with an exchange server if you got one.
So just to be clear, you sync the stuff you got, there is no separation.
how do i get to the extended rom directory? i have a t-mobile mda and have total commander (reg editor) installed. I can't find the /extended rom/ directory and also don't really understand what is or what it is there for. i know this might sound like a remedial question to HTC Wizard experts, but if someone could help me I'd greatly appreciate it. Also, if it matters, I'm running xelecin's custom 2.26 ROM.
Thanks.
You won't see it by browsing.. just type in "/extended_rom" and TC will open it. Don't forget the underscore (_) character..
Gee - my first post!
thanks. i entered "/extended_rom" and it brought me to the directory. now that i know how to find it, what is it exactly there for? What is it's purpose. Also, can you access it from activesync? Thanks again for answering these questions.. i'm a beginner with PPCs, but I'm curious about how they work.
Thanks again.
Use the advanced search feature (under the search option tab) to look within the wizard updating forum for the term "extended rom", and you can start to understand how some of the rom developers utilize it (There are 12 pages of entries). These guys are the real 'wizards' - I could not begin to explain the way they do (I'm too new myself).
Your extended ROM contains all of your customizations. If it is a stock ROM it will have all of your carrier customizations. If you have a cooked Ext ROM it could have lots of things. One of the benefits is that if you have to completely clear out the storage it would re-install all the customizations that were in the ext rom.
barrydavisjr said:
...One of the benefits is that if you have to completely clear out the storage it would re-install all the customizations that were in the ext rom.
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Click to collapse
so, in simple terms, if you were doing a hard reset (or clear storage in settings), the extended rom directory retains the files, and installs them if they are .cab files.. am I getting warm? Thanks for the info.
you got it. The carriers put it there so that one wouldn't have to call into tech support if you had to do a hard reset.
ok. i get this now. just a couple more questions..
-Do the .CAB files have to be in the main directory (/extended_rom/) or can they be in any subfolder?
-I was reading somewhere that it's a read-only directory.. is there a way to delete files, if so, can you delete the files one at a time or all once?
-finally, can you access the directory from active sync?
Thanks for all the help. I appreciate it.
As far as I know it is unable to be accessed through Active sync. And yes you can delete them off one by one. I would reccomend reading up on it. Faria has produced a wondrful guide on how to cook your extended ROM. When you delete a cab you also have to change the config settings in the notepad file. I have dabbled a little but Faria's guide will help you more.
!!!WARNING!!! if you delete the files from your ext rom and do a hard reset none of the carrier customizations will be installed.. furthermore.. you will not gain any extra space by deleting the cabs, it is a read only partition.. also with that being said, if you try to delete a file from there or add one you take a great risk of corrupting the ext rom and you will be forced to reflash the rom in order to get them back.
just one more question.. I have xelecin's 2.26 custom rom on my MDA. I'm thinking of switching over to either molski's or faria's latest rom. when i flash those roms, the extended rom from the current rom i'm using gets replaced with the custom rom's extended rom, right? does that make sense? Thanks for putting up with my dumb questions and actually answering them! Oh yeah, when i installed the rom i'm using now it did a CID unlock before flashing, so i assume my phone is still unlocked, right?
Thanks again for all the help. i really appreciate it.
thats right. - you'll get the new extended rom.
Extended Rom Contents
I only install a portion of the T-Mobile customization, which I accomplish by preventing the install of the extended rom. I have copied onto my miniSD the files I want to install, and then I just manually run the cabs from there. (Actually, that would erase them, so I copy them first.)
Then you can experiment with other ROMs, still getting the customizations that you need. Here is my thread on this topic:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=272613
I no longer install MP-Shorcut-MMS1-Voice-CV-TMUS-060404.CAB because that just adds MMS to the Messaging app and a shortcut for making voice tags and I don't use MMS.
By the way, it is really useful to install things like Total Commander, Memmaid, weather programs, RSS readers, Zagat, and so on to the miniSD, because then they don't need to be reinstalled after a hard reset. The only thing I have to do is add the shortcuts back, because shortcuts are erased after a hard reset. These programs will no longer auto-update, since nothing can run automatically from the miniSD, but with memmaid you can create automatic updates if you like.
Your backup program should always run from main memory! Also, programs that affect the today screen should also be run from main memory for increased speed. Pretty much everything else can go on the miniSD.
Hey all,
I have a question.
I have been playing with my 8125 a lot lately and am constantly resetting my device. What I want to know is I have one main machine that I do all my application installs via active sync that way when I hard reset my device I just have to go to add remove programs in active sync and re-check all the programs I want to put back on my phone.
Here is what I want.
I don’t want to have to tell the phone where to install the applications (I want it to default to storage card without any prompts.) and.. I don’t want any confirmation prompts ie: security unsigned, approve this application to be installed, this application was installed properly… etc.. I want to streamline the process so I can just tick the check boxes for my apps, let them download and that’s it. Currently after refreshing I have to spend quite a bit of time clicking “ok” … storage card…. Ok… storage card… ok… I think you get it.
Thanks much!
I've seen a lot of different reg keys out there that may accomplis this. Is there a way to disable the notifications and pre-set the install path peramaters?
sledwrecker said:
I've seen a lot of different reg keys out there that may accomplis this. Is there a way to disable the notifications and pre-set the install path peramaters?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can do this with WinCE Cab manager
If you really reset your device that often why don't you use SPB BACKUP? A reinstallation of all your apps wouldn't be necessary - just load your backup and you're ready to go!
Ya I did think of that but here is my issue.
the reason I am constantly hard reseting is because I am changing and playing with roms pretty much on a daily basis. I've been cooking my own roms trying to come up with what works best for me and what is closest to RTM. Thus why I am always re-installing apps.
So if I use SPB backup (which I have) it saves system settings and such right? So if I am switching roms all the time will it break my device?
Thanks guys! I'm new to the forum here I just got my first PPC phone a couple weeks ago but I've been an avid windows mobile (smartphone) user for years and have worked on WM platforms as beta tester.
Gotta love this stuff!!!
sledwrecker said:
So if I use SPB backup (which I have) it saves system settings and such right? So if I am switching roms all the time will it break my device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you are exactly right, and so many people seem to miss this... Spb Backup, Sprite Backup, etc are full backups that backup and restore the registry and all. If you restore this from one rom to a different rom you are likely to break something (may not be obvious at first, but you have a very good chance of things being broken inside the registry that you will trip up on at some point).
So yeah, the only way around this (without building your own extended rom and such) is to create a folder (or set of folders) on your SD card with all the cabs, files, and settings that you need for when your flash a new rom. Then run through that to set things up. You can also use ActiveSync to reinstall apps (just check them all and it will put them all back on) but you have to remember which ones (if any) require a reset of your device as that can cause probs with the others that are installing (if all done together).
Yep,
but at least you can import contacts, email and pim data that way quite easy!
Since you continiously flash your device: there will be no other solution but reinstalling your applications again and again. You might want to look around for a CAB extractor and then create your own CABs with all the progs you would like to have in one large CAB ???
One such CAB Installer Creator is: WinCE CAB Manager
Take a closer look at MolskiBiz_DevPack and you will find a utility to extract CAB files. It will be a bit work to add all the registry values to the Installer you're going to create but finally you might save a lot of time since you only run 1 installation instead of xxx ...
This is good, I have been playing with wince cab and it is a solution.
Now I'm going to work on making my extended roms.. will this work? I did a full recover of my apps through active sync just an hour or two ago and it reported total size of all cabs as just over 112megs. That means I'd be flashing a MONSTER rom and would it even be possible?
2gig mini SD card.
thanks
I tried before to add some apps (cab installers) to a personalized extended rom but it never worked the way I wanted it to. You might have seen that you always have to give some inputs when ever you install programs, sometimes you get ask if you really want to install the app, sometimes you need to choose a location. So, if you add CAB installers UNCHANGED to the extended ROM it just won't install because during extended rom installation you have no way of providing that information.
Hi
Does anyone know if it is possible to somehow save CoPilot and F-Secure which came preloaded in my device and I have since activated the subscriptions.
I thought about copying the program files, but im worried that I wont be able to revalidate the software after the handset has been flashed with a different ROM than of T-Mobiles.
Has anyone ever faced this before?
If you install another rom, cooked or backed you will loose all programs and data on your phone memory.
Just copying the program files folder won't do the job for saving the programs, you will need the registry settings also.
You can install the programs you need afterwards or try to find a cooked rom with those program pre-installed.
Hi Everyone,
Great wealth of info on here so congratulations to the site developers and maintence guys as well as all the contributers.
I am a complete newbie to HTC phones and i would be really grateful if someone can let me know the following so i can start to enjoy my new HTC HD2 Phone. It seems like the networks limit the glory of this phone and you guys have been able to make changes possible so keep up the good work. having read a few post i've managed to change the stock 1.43 version to a stock 1.66 and i will hopefully try to build some confidence to use a customised one in the future.
Here's the questions:
1) How do i install application such as TOM TOM/Co-PILOT from my PC to the device? - Do i have to transfer the whole folder of the program to the SD Card? i have a licence TOM TOM copy so how would i use it on the phone? i have read cab file and registry modifications being mentioned but i really don't know what this means! would be grate if someone could explain.
2) in the same way if i have a movie on the PC can i drag and drop it into the SD and it will play on the phone?
3) Can i download Apps other than from Market place? again is it the case of drag and drop onto the SD card once the application has been downloaded?
I am a heavy email user who needs a device where i can access emails on the go, watch a few movies and use sat nav. I refrained from purchasing the iPhone as i wanted a windows based application for outlook and office compatibility.
please excuse my ignorance and apologies if the questions are very basic but i want to get to know more and i would be grateful if anyone can offer some good advice.
Hope someone out there can help!
Thanks in advance!
PS. Is this really the daddy of HTC Phones?
1) to install apps from your pc to your device, just start the installer on the pc. if you have your hd2 connected in "active sync" mode, the app will be immediately installed to your hd2. else, you get a notification that the app will be istalled as soon as you plug your hd2 in. cab- files are installed by running then from your hd2.
2) not really. the hd2 does not support many video formats out of the box, you will need to install tcpmp, for example. i use "TCPMP Tech1 Enhanced TP1_TP2 Digital Play HD CineVisionScope Version", this version of tcpmp supports most formats.
3) you can install apps from anywhere. for example, if you download a .cab in this forums, copy it to your sd card an run it from your hd2.
Thanks for your reply wergor,
I've found a website with the TCPMP Tech1 Enhanced TP1_TP2 Digital Play HD CineVisionScope Version cab file.... would it just be a case of installing this onto my pc and syncing with HD2?
will this allow me to play movies on the phone?
surely you'd think a device like this could play movie out of the box!
look forward to your reply.
cab files are installation files that must be run from your hd2. copy the .cab file to the sd card, open the file manager on the hd2, navigate to the file and execute it. follow the installation process (needs some time) and you are ready to go. (i think on the site are one or two things mentioned you have to set up to get the best performance)
this version of tcpmp supports most video formats, so you shouldn't encounter any problems.
The easiest way to install apps downloaded to your PC is to use CABviaActiveSync.
I have uploaded it for you. Just install to your PC and it will add an option when right clicking any .cab files.
This way you don't need to transfer to the storage memory first.
HTH
Bixx
also, you can try the software "xmedia recode", this software allows to convert any video file to a format that the hd2 can play without any additional software.