Installing third-party programs on the Pocket PC

You can enhance the functionality of your Pocket PC by installing applications from independent software developers. Some of these are free, but most will cost you something. Most of these programs are designed to be installed from the PC to your Pocket PC through an ActiveSync link. Once you have downloaded the program to your desktop PC, install them as follows:

1. Make sure your Pocket PC is connected to your PC and that ActiveSync is installed and running on your PC. The latest version can be downloaded from Microsoft (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/downloads/pocketpc.mspx.)
2. Use File Explorer on your desktop PC to find the program you just downloaded and want to install. This program is usually a single program installer file with an EXE file extension. However, some programs come as a ZIP file (a single archive file with a ZIP file extension). If you download one of these, you have to "un-zip" it first, to find the program installer file.
3. Once you have found the program installer file, click on it to begin the installation process. A series of prompts will walk you through this.
4. During the installation process, a prompt will ask you if you want to install the program to the "default install application directory." If you have plenty of internal memory available, tap on OK. If not, tap on Cancel and the installer will let you select an alternate location to install the program. For example, you could choose to install the program on a CF or SD storage card if one was already in your Pocket PC's card slot. (Note: You may run into a few programs that do not work properly when installed on a CF or SD card. In most of these cases, the program will not allow itself to be installed onto the card. Note also that, if you install a program on a CF or SD card, and then remove the card, nothing will happen when you attempt to start the program.)
5. Once you've done this, there may be some additional prompts on the device that you will need to respond to before the installation is complete.

ActiveSync allows you to install programs in Main Memory (i.e., internal RAM), Built-in Storage (user-accessible flash ROM), or a storage card (if one is in the card slot).

Some Web sites offer Pocket PC programs in CAB-file format. (These have a CAB file extension.) Do not attempt to run this on your desktop PC; follow these steps:

1. After you have downloaded them to your desktop PC, transfer them immediately to your Pocket PC via ActiveSync's Explore function.
2. Then, use the Pocket PC's File Explorer to find the CAB file.
3. Finally, tap on the CAB file. This will complete the installation process.