Guide to Installing Programs on Windows Mobile Smartphones

Apart from inherent features such as PIM applications, gaming interface and unique software-based utilities, Windows Mobile smartphones are capable of enhanced value and increased usefulness when more software is installed. There are a plethora of software tools available in the market and it is worthwhile learning how to install software titles on a Windows Mobile smartphone.

Before actually commencing the software installation process, it is necessary to decide on the type of the file. Windows Mobile smartphone installation files are found in two types - files that are installed directly from the Windows PC and the files which are transferred to the smartphone prior to installation.

The first type of file is usually called an .EXE File (executable file) and is run and installed on the user’s Windows system. The second type of file is called a cabinet file or .CAB file which contains the desired files for installation that can be installed after they are downloaded to the smartphone without any PC connection.

First check whether the software to be installed is available as an .EXE file and if so download the file and save it in an easily identifiable location in the computer. It is also necessary to enhance connectivity of the smartphones with total flexibility of file synchronization. Double-click as soon as the downloading is complete. The installation program will enable the installed file to be located on the hard drive of your computer system. It will then get connected to the smartphone and copy the necessary files to the phone’s memory involved in installation (this will actually help you choose the device to be located to your internal phone memory card).

As regards the second type of file, if the user has a subscription package to a handy mobile data plan for Internet access, then it is possible to download CAB files directly to the smartphone via the Internet without any additional cost. Of course, one cannot neglect the option of downloading a CAB file to the windows-based PC system and then transferring it to the device using Windows Vista’s Mobile device center or a reliable component such as ActiveSync.

Disconnect your smartphone device once the CAB installation set up is complete and you have got the CAB file stored on to your PC. Go to File Manager in Start Menu and open it, and trace an easy-to-locate position for the CAB file (by default, it will locate it to the My Documents folder). Frankly, installing a CAB file is simple and convenient as it will automatically get unfolded (unpacked as you may call it) and then installed on the smartphone and also create a unique icon in the Start Menu. It is suggested that as soon as the installation is over, the CAB file should be removed from the smartphone memory.

It is advisable to regularly monitor how much memory is available on your smartphone for information storage and running the installed programs (including a number of uninstalled and old files). The procedure is quite simple.

• Click Start
• Go to Settings,
• Tap on the System tab,
• Finally switch to the Memory icon.

After doing all of this you will get the desired information you need about availability of space in program memory if you wish to play with its information storage system. This way you will get to know the quantum of memory that is in use and the free memory available. If the free available memory is low, the obvious course is to clean up the smartphone by deleting unwanted programs.

Software programs are available in abundance for Windows Mobile smartphones - thus providing the user with tremendous opportunities to customize and make the device work wonders. This is not all - the software companies always attempt to bring something new by writing a myriad of new software programs to make sure that the future possibilities are endless.

Author's own knowledge.