How to Setup a Windows Mobile Development Kit

Install a Windows Mobile SDK.

The Microsoft Windows Mobile Software Development Kit (SDK) is available for each version of Windows Mobile including 5.0, 6.0 and 6.5. The Windows Mobile 5.0 SDK may be used to develop earlier versions of Windows Mobile applications. However, the reverse is not true; Windows Mobile 6.5 SDK should not be used to develop applications for the 5.0 version. Windows SDK packages include cell phone emulators, which are graphic applications that look and function like the mobile device. Emulators are utilized to test code on the device prior to actually installing the program on the device. Visual Studio is required for running the Windows Mobile SDKs. Trial versions of Visual Studio are available from Microsoft (see Resources).

Things You'll Need

• Visual Studio with Service Pack 1 installed

Instructions

1. Download the desired Windows Mobile SDK (See Resources).

2. Click the “Save” (Internet Explorer) or the “Save File” (Firefox) button to save the MSI installation file to the hard drive.

3. Double-click the MSI file to install the SDK. Click “Next” to install the software. If additional components such as the .Net Framework are required, the installation routine will put the installation on hold and prompt you to download and install the missing component.

4. Click “Next” at each prompt to accept the defaults for installation.

5. Click “Finish” when the installation is complete. The Windows Mobile SDK is installed.

References

• Microsoft: Installing Developer Tools for Windows Mobile

Resources

• Microsoft: Visual Studio Trial Downloads
• Microsoft: Windows Mobile 5.0 SDK Download
• Microsoft: Windows Mobile 6.0 and 6.5 SDK Download