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Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC

Update: Microsoft has now publicly released the Beta 3 version of WMDC which you can get from here and you do not need to use the hack detailed below in this post. This beta 3 also supports Windows Mobile 2003!

WMDC (Windows Mobile Device Centre), is the new software in Vista that replaces ActiveSync and you cannot even install ActiveSync on Vista.

If you installed Vista RC1 and plugged in your Windows Mobile Phone (either Pocket PC or Smart Phone) and expected Outlook to start syncing you would be in for a rude shock. All Vista does is open the device in Explorer so you can browse it and get to explore files - but nothing to sync up. This is because the WMDC bits are not publicly released yet but are being dogfood'ed internally.

If you are like me and cannot wait then below are the steps you need to do to get your mobile sync between the device and Outlook / Exchange using WMDC (make sure you also read warning before you do anything):

  1. Add a new key called "WHOS" (without the quotes of course) in HKLM\Software\Microsoft. (See the image below on how this should look like with the blue circle around the key)
  2. Plug in your mobile to the machine (either via USB or your Cradle).
  3. Run Windows Update.

Windows Update should detect that you have a new update and download and install the WMDC bits. After which you can setup a new partnership to get this running with Outlook.

Warnings:

  1. This is not supported - so you are really on your own. If something breaks and/or you lose data please don't come crying to me or Microsoft. At the end of the day, there is a good reason why MS has not released this yet.
  2. Delete any existing partnership from your mobile and make sure there is nothing associating it with another computer. I had issues setting this up as a Guest or even as another one and had to restart all over (including installing Vista), so to be on the safe side, delete the partnership!
  3. Back up your data - both on the machine and the device.
  4. If you are not sure where to find WMDC – it should create a shortcut on your desktop. Also you can get to it via Mobile PC in the Control Panel (Control Panel\Mobile PC).

Below are some screen shots of this working on my machine. I also show the Control Panel and the Sync Centre.

 

Currently this is exposed via a MSI which essentially adds this key. Best of Luck!

Posted Sep 19 2006, 05:33 PM by Amit Bahree
Filed under:

Comments

SKassam wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-21-2006 8:56 AM

By this morning the driver said, Windows Mobile Remote Adapter. Also, it's very slow synching -- almost crawling. Did you also experience this slowness?

Blackakashi wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-22-2006 1:31 AM

Thanks a lot!

Greetings !

Amit Bahree wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-22-2006 2:22 AM

SKassam, no I don't see that - syncing up is as fast (or slow) when using ActiveSync on pre-Vista OS. Did you try and reset the device and then try again? As I mentioned, I also deleted the existing partnership in the device. Go to ActiveSync in the mobile and delete it from there and then try again.

nsa666 wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-22-2006 4:39 AM

It installed, but it doesnt sync with Outlook2k7.

Maxim wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-22-2006 4:49 AM

Thanks a lot!

Greetings !

Amit Bahree wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-22-2006 5:17 AM

nsa666 I have it working with Outlook 2007. Do you have the Beta 2 Technical Refresh installed? If not get that and then try after that.

nsa666 wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-22-2006 5:48 AM

Yes I have the B2TR installed. I have german versions of office and windows. I think it has something to do with localization.

Amit Bahree wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-22-2006 6:05 AM

I think that could be it. I have the English, which works fine. I can only guess, but localization issues might be one of the the reasons why MS did not release this (yet).

nsa666 wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-22-2006 6:30 AM

No, it seems to be general problem with WM2003 devices. I asked somebody with WM 5 and german versions and he says it works just fine.

Thank you for your help. It seems, I have to wait till official release.

Amit Bahree wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-22-2006 6:43 AM

Oh, right, I don't know if WMDC works with WM 2003 - I don't think it does.

heathen wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-22-2006 7:02 AM

I have a problem - it installed but did not make any Partnership and even did not give me chance to do it - only standard Media files sync (which is also cannot be make) showed in Sync Center. I tried with two devices - Qtek 9000 and Qtek 9100, all of that is wm5.

PS. And I have no "Mobile PC" in my Control Panel. :(

Amit Bahree wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-22-2006 7:16 AM

hathen, quick couple of things, did you did run the Windows Update after making the registry changes AND while your phone was plugged in? And as you might have seen other comments, you are running Mobile 5, right?

heathen wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-22-2006 7:43 AM

Yes, I did it. Update was downloaded and installed (Microsoft Corporation driver update for Microsoft Windows Mobile Remote Adapter).

And my devices has wm5 on it.

Amit Bahree wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-22-2006 8:58 AM

Hmm, not sure what to do. I had the same thing as I say in my post and I had to do a hard-reset - after which it sync'd fine. Try that - of course back up your data first.

heathen wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-22-2006 9:14 AM

Thanks for your help, will try!

rocketshipwreck wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-22-2006 7:29 PM

hmm...i'm certainly not expecting support here, just ideas. I followed your suggestions - added the reg key, connected my device (treo700w/WM5), the update installed however all WMDC does is say "connecting" then "error" with a red X. any suggestions?

thnks in advance

rocketshipwreck wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-22-2006 7:34 PM
guest wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-23-2006 3:06 AM

hello, i tried it and it is working perfectly

ipaq 6915 german rom 1.47

office 2007 beta2 with technical refresh german

vista rc1 5600 german 64 bit

it is slowly but ok

Amit Bahree wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-23-2006 9:01 AM

rocketshipwreck, sorry no clue why it won't sync. Only thing I can think of is - do a hard reset and try that.

heathen wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-23-2006 9:44 AM

hello again! One more thing - when I try to install c:\Windows\WindowsMobile\wmupdate.msi by the hand, it takes me message "Either there is no default mail client or the current mail client cannot fulfill the messaging request. Please run Microsoft Outlook and set it as the default mail client." and canceling transaction.

As I see, Outlook IS the default mail and calendar client, but I can't change it back to Outlook after manualy change default mail client to Windows Mail. Did anybody know about that problem (default mail client)?

rocketshipwreck wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-23-2006 5:08 PM

well, for whatever reason a hard reset did the trick! Thanks a lot - RC1 is now worth having.

LESHA wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-23-2006 10:59 PM

SOR

Shawn wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-24-2006 11:35 AM

Followed Directions to the letter, windows Recognizes my mobile device, launches the base, I launch windows update, and no dice.  Anybody else having this problem ( I figure microsoft has pulled it from their servers)

Shawn wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-24-2006 11:38 AM

Retract my previous statement, my pc must have hiccuped, I restarted and it worked.

Amit Bahree wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-25-2006 4:05 AM

Heathen, I don't see that - but then I have not used Windows Mail and that is not even setup - I only have Outlook. If you go to Start => Default Programs - can you change it from there and then try?

Amit Bahree wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-25-2006 4:10 AM

Wanted to update you guys that this also works on Build 5728. Follow the same steps as above for getting this to work if you have a clean install.

If you upgrading from RC1 (Build 6200) and you already have this installed on RC1 then after the upgrade to the new build, go to "Control Panel\Programs\Programs and Features" and find "Windows Mobile Device Center". Right click on it and select Repair and after that it should be back up and working. (You might have to do a reboot).

Vincent wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-25-2006 9:05 AM

I can't get any Windows updates this morning, let alone the WMDC one.  Any chance that someone wants to post the .msi file somewhere?

Amit Bahree wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-25-2006 9:36 AM

Vincent, try again - I just checked and it seems to be up and working.

If it still does not work - contact me directly via the Contact page (http://desigeek.com/weblog/amit/contact.aspx) on the blog with the details where you can be reached and I'll see what I can do.

J3ff wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-25-2006 12:28 PM

Seems I'm having the same issue as heathen now. Minus the default mail client part. Also as a side note, in control panel when I try to run "windows mobile device center" it crashes immediatly. Here is the call stack:

System.IO.FileLoadException: The located assembly's manifest definition does not match the assembly reference. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80131040)

  at Microsoft.WindowsMobile.DeviceManager.IForeman.StartFactory(Guid factory)

  at Microsoft.WindowsMobile.DeviceCenter.Program.Main()

Strange stuff man.. I guess it's expected though when your forcing a update that isn't realy released yet.

Amit Bahree wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-25-2006 1:13 PM

J3ff, a 0x80131040 is usually when it cannot find an dependent assembly. Can you run Fuslogvw and see what it is expecting which is missing? (Crash course on fuslogv: http://tinyurl.com/9r2f8).

Alternatively just goto Add/Remove programs and try doing a repair and reboot and then see if it works.

Moreno Borsalino wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-26-2006 3:31 AM

I installed WMDC on Vista RC1 and I installed also Office 2007 beta 2 + OneNote 2007 + TR

I cannot install OneNote Mobile on a jasjar with WM5 because i get the error that Activesync is non installed. It seams that OneNote 2007 is not yet compatible with WMDC. Anyone got the same error ?

Amit Bahree wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-26-2006 2:32 PM

Moreno, yes that is known limitation at this point as all the installer programs are looking for ActiveSync, but of course that is not present. I am thinking it should be an easy change as they are probably checking somewhere in the registry.

As a work around (which I don't know if it exists for OneNote or not), if you can a cab file then copy that to the device and install manually.

If someone knows how to get OneNote and other apps installed please let us know!

Adam ELphick wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-26-2006 3:21 PM

I get the same error as J3FF - i am clueless and totally peeved as my XDA Exec wont sync now!

Ive tried uninstalls and restarts - even flattened the XDA with a reflash just in case.  But still happens!

:(

Trent wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-26-2006 4:20 PM

This is working brilliantly with build 5728 with Outlook 2007 TR and my PPC6700 (with the AKU2 update).

I didn't even need to delete any partnerships.  It synced with my Outlook files nearly flawlessly (some holidays and birthdays doubled up).

xxdesmus wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-26-2006 7:28 PM

Dude I think I heart you....great find :)

Works on 5728

The Daily Ramblings of an SMS Engineer wrote Vista - Handwriting and Getting Your Mobile Devices To Sync
on 09-26-2006 8:26 PM

The first post (below) is about the handwriting in Vista. If you use Tablet this is worth the download

Todd wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-26-2006 8:57 PM

Thanks for the tip!

Chunk72 wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-27-2006 3:42 PM

Gracias!

Brian G wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-27-2006 5:08 PM

Any updates on WM2003 devices?  I just installed RC1 last night, installed the hack, but it won't sync to Outlook 07 BTR.

tia

Brian

Noni wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-30-2006 7:10 AM

AMIT - Jesus man... what did you say you did for a living.. what they don't pay you enough at work or something ? Where is meenakshi, I have to have a talk with her about what the hell you are doing playing around with all this stuff! I don't get the flipping time to read my email and you are off connecting gadgets to other things that in places that were never meant to be connected... :) Basically I am jealous!

hardcore wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 09-30-2006 12:43 PM

Just to add, this works with Vista 5728 and Outlook 2003 as well.

I found that I needed to have the PPC connected while running the update, or else the update would fail.

Daantje wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 10-03-2006 11:00 AM

lik me lul

Daantje wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 10-03-2006 11:00 AM

lik me lul

Daantje wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 10-03-2006 11:00 AM

lik me lul

Mike wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 10-04-2006 12:31 AM

I got this up and runing, however I can't get the sync to work over bluetooth.  Anyone having the same problems?

Chris J. Popp wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 10-04-2006 8:28 PM

Ok. I've tried this but when the Pocket PC connects I get this

-------------------- SNIP --------------------

System.UnauthorizedAccessException: Access to the path 'Backup.stg' is denied.

  at System.IO.Directory.DeleteHelper(String fullPath, String userPath, Boolean recursive)

  at System.IO.Directory.Delete(String fullPath, String userPath, Boolean recursive)

  at Microsoft.WindowsMobile.DeviceManager.Partnership.Delete(IWin32Window promptOwner, PartnershipDeletionOptions options)

  at Microsoft.WindowsMobile.DeviceManager.Partnership2003.Delete(IWin32Window promptOwner, PartnershipDeletionOptions options)

  at Microsoft.WindowsMobile.DeviceManager.PartnershipCollection.Delete(IPartnership partnership, IWin32Window promptOwner, PartnershipDeletionOptions options)

  at Microsoft.WindowsMobile.DeviceManager.PartnershipCollection.AddPartnershipFromRegistry(String partnerKeyName)

  at Microsoft.WindowsMobile.DeviceManager.PartnershipCollection.Refresh()

  at Microsoft.WindowsMobile.DeviceManager.PartnershipCollection.Initialize()

  at Microsoft.WindowsMobile.DeviceManager.PartnershipCollection.<.ctor>b__4(Object )

  at System.Threading._ThreadPoolWaitCallback.WaitCallback_Context(Object state)

  at System.Threading.ExecutionContext.Run(ExecutionContext executionContext, ContextCallback callback, Object state)

  at System.Threading._ThreadPoolWaitCallback.PerformWaitCallback(Object state)

-------------------- SNIP --------------------

Also, I have 4 "Guest" partnerships in the Sync Manager and have no way of removing them. I have read where I can right-click and delete in the Sync Manager, but this feature is not there.

My Pocket PC is running 2003 and has been Hard Reset.

OS is Vista 5728. Pocket PC is iPaq 2215.

Any insight would be great.

Thanks,

Chris

Chris J. Popp wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 10-04-2006 8:28 PM

Ok. I've tried this but when the Pocket PC connects I get this

-------------------- SNIP --------------------

System.UnauthorizedAccessException: Access to the path 'Backup.stg' is denied.

  at System.IO.Directory.DeleteHelper(String fullPath, String userPath, Boolean recursive)

  at System.IO.Directory.Delete(String fullPath, String userPath, Boolean recursive)

  at Microsoft.WindowsMobile.DeviceManager.Partnership.Delete(IWin32Window promptOwner, PartnershipDeletionOptions options)

  at Microsoft.WindowsMobile.DeviceManager.Partnership2003.Delete(IWin32Window promptOwner, PartnershipDeletionOptions options)

  at Microsoft.WindowsMobile.DeviceManager.PartnershipCollection.Delete(IPartnership partnership, IWin32Window promptOwner, PartnershipDeletionOptions options)

  at Microsoft.WindowsMobile.DeviceManager.PartnershipCollection.AddPartnershipFromRegistry(String partnerKeyName)

  at Microsoft.WindowsMobile.DeviceManager.PartnershipCollection.Refresh()

  at Microsoft.WindowsMobile.DeviceManager.PartnershipCollection.Initialize()

  at Microsoft.WindowsMobile.DeviceManager.PartnershipCollection.<.ctor>b__4(Object )

  at System.Threading._ThreadPoolWaitCallback.WaitCallback_Context(Object state)

  at System.Threading.ExecutionContext.Run(ExecutionContext executionContext, ContextCallback callback, Object state)

  at System.Threading._ThreadPoolWaitCallback.PerformWaitCallback(Object state)

-------------------- SNIP --------------------

Also, I have 4 "Guest" partnerships in the Sync Manager and have no way of removing them. I have read where I can right-click and delete in the Sync Manager, but this feature is not there.

My Pocket PC is running 2003 and has been Hard Reset.

OS is Vista 5728. Pocket PC is iPaq 2215.

Any insight would be great.

Thanks,

Chris

Amit Bahree wrote re: Syncing your mobile with Vista RC1 via WMDC
on 10-05-2006 4:35 PM

Chris, unfortunately you are out of luck for WM2003 - MS is still working on that. I have heard that an updated version of WMDC is publicly being released next week - hopefully that will have this.