How to Use the Windows Mobile 6.1 Device Emulator

Friday, February 26, 2010
The Windows Mobile 6.1 Emulator is a software version of a Windows Mobile phone that you can use to test Windows Mobile applications, such as Exchange ActiveSync.  This tool is enormously helpful for testing, troubleshooting, and creating documentation.

The WM emulator has been around since about 1998, but disappeared for a while, due to some legal issues.  I remember using this tool at TechEd a few years ago in a session that taught you how to create applications for Windows Mobile.  It's back now, with improved functionality and ease of use.

The emulator runs on top of Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 (a free download).  Virtual PC 2007 provides the hooks to the host operating system to provide network access and resource sharing.  This makes the emulator much simpler to configure than in the past.

You will need to download the following two packages from Microsoft:
Install Virtual PC 2007 first, accepting all the defaults in the setup wizard.  No further configuration of Virtual PC 2007 is required.

Next, install Windows Mobile 6.1. Emulator Images, accepting all the defaults in the setup wizard.

To configure the emulator, run it from Start > All Programs > Windows Mobile 6 SDK > Standalone Emulator Images > US English > WM 6.1 Professional.  Click File > Configure.  On the General tab, browse to your Desktop as the Shared Folder.  This will make your Desktop the external storage card on the emulator.  Now check the Network tab and check Enable NE2000 PCMCIA network adapter and bind to checkbox and click OK.  By now the emulator should have finish starting up. 

Use your mouse to configure a network connection on the emulator, as follows:
  • Click Start > Settings on the emulator.
  • Click the Connections tab and Connections.
  • Click the Advanced tab and Select Networks.
  • Select My Work Network in the top dropdown box
  • If you use a proxy server to access the Internet click Edit.  Click the Proxy Settings tab, configure your proxy settings.  Use the Advanced button to configure the proxy port, user name, password, and domain.  Click OK to get back to Network Management.
  • Click OK to return to Settings.
  • Click Network Cards.
  • In the My network card connects to dropdown box select Work
  • Click NE2000 Compatible Ethernet Driver.  Check to see that the NE2000 Ethernet Driver has received an IP address from your DHCP server, or configure the IP address and name servers here.  Click OK twice to return to Settings.
  • Close Settings.
Now test your Internet connectivity by clicking Start > Internet Explorer.  Enter www.microsoft.com, which will redirect to mobile.microsoft.com, as shown.


You can now use the WM 6.1 emulator just like a real hardware mobile device!  Use it to test Exchange ActiveSync, your company's AutoDiscover record, or your custom applications.  The emulator runs the exact same code that Microsoft offers to device manufacturers.

There are several Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional (touchscreen PocketPC) emulator images:
  • WM 6.1 Classic
  • WM 6.1 Professional (used in the screenshots above)
  • WM 6.1 Professional 240x240
  • WM 6.1 Professional 480x480
  • WM 6.1 Professional Square
  • WM 6.1 Professional Square QVGA
  • WM 6.1 Professional Square VGA
  • WM 6.1 Professional VGA
The Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard (non-touchscreen SmartPhone) emulator images include:
  • WM 6.1 Standard (shown below)
  • WM 6.1 Standard 400x240
  • WM 6.1 Standard 440x240
  • WM 6.1 Standard Landscape
  • WM 6.1 Standard QVGA
  • WM 6.1 Standard Square
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6 comments:

  1. DLT TapesMarch 11, 2010 at 4:54 AM

    great tutorial Jeff... like your post and effort thanks for the share!

    ReplyDelete
  2. dell lto ultrium tapeDecember 30, 2010 at 4:18 AM

    Windows mobile is really good with its features but only problem is because of slow processing. so if your windows mobile processing is very slow so what can we do ?

    ReplyDelete
  3. jayApril 14, 2011 at 9:09 AM

    when i select my network card, I get the error: No VPC network adapters enumerated or no host network adapter with provided MAC address found.

    have you come across this?

    in my adapter settings in win7 i have the 'virtual machine network services'

    ReplyDelete
  4. mukaiJuly 30, 2011 at 4:09 AM

    A handy version of the windows mobile operating systems was Microsoft's Windows Mobile, Pocket PC edition. This version was released in 2000. The windows mobile operating system has a bundle of applications, software and windows CE 3.0. All windows mobile pocket PC edition smart phones and devices had to be based on an ARM CPU. This version of windows mobile OS was intended for pocket sized PC devices.
    http://www.techyv.com/article/windows-mobile-os

    ReplyDelete
  5. writing servicesMarch 24, 2012 at 3:05 AM

    Wow you remind me my good memories of my old phone. I remembered i was crazy about my windows phone time went so fast.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousAugust 31, 2012 at 4:50 AM

    I am still using WinMo devices. I have my HTC Touch Pro II still and in mint perfect condition and see no reason to buy or change to another mobile device. This phone is still getting people to ask me about it and want to buy one over the one they are using and that is no lie. I am using a custom rom and have been since i got it. This has been the best user friendly for professional people mobile device I have ever used period. That said i have the HTC G2 and the HTC MyTouch 4g Slide and have owned but got rid of after two weeks of use each the Nokia Lumia 710 and 900 both dismal in form factor and OS. The best mobile OS i have used has been the WinMo 6.1 and 6.5 respectively for its ease of use as well as it being customizable. Thank you for letting me be able to share that.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your comment! It is my hope that you find the information here useful. Let others know if this post helped you out, or if you have a comment or further information.

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