ActiveSync 4.1

With the recent release of Windows Mobile 5.0, Microsoft also introduced a new version of the desktop PC synchronization program that comes with all Windows Mobile devices—ActiveSync 4.0. More recently, Microsoft rolled out a slightly newer version of that program, ActiveSync 4.1. They offer it as a free download on their Windows Mobile Web site (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/downloads/).

ActiveSync 4.1 builds on prior versions of the program and has some significant changes for Windows Mobile 5.0 devices. These include support for synchronizing Media content, support for USB 2.0 devices, and Internet Explorer Mobile Favorites synchronization for Smartphone. These updates are only available for Windows Mobile 5.0 devices. ActiveSync 4.1 also addresses common problems users experienced with 3rd party VPN and firewall programs.

Backwards compatible with previous devices

ActiveSync 4.1 supports older Windows Mobile devices, including those incorporating the following software: Pocket PC 2002, Smartphone 2002, Windows Mobile 2003, Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition, in addition to Windows Mobile 5.0 devices. ActiveSync 4.1 can be installed on PCs running Windows 2000, Windows XP (Home, Pro, Tablet, Media Center, x64), and Windows Server 2003 (including IA64 and x64). ActiveSync 4.1 supports Outlook 2000, Outlook 2002 and Outlook 2003. If you are running Windows 98 or Windows NT you will not be able to install and use ActiveSync 4.0. Microsoft has focused on making sure that existing ActiveSync applications install and work correctly, and any application that use their synchronization providers will also work correctly with ActiveSync 4.1. Also, applications that close ActiveSync such as Killsync (http://www.pocketpcfaq.com/applications/) still work with ActiveSync 4.x.

New and missing features

As of early December, 2005 ActiveSync 4.1.0 Build 4841 was the most current release of the program. Unless your Pocket PC or Smartphone manufacturer recommends this version of the program, or you have a Windows Mobile 5.0 device, I do not recommend that you download and install this version of the program. Because some features have been removed, I see no reason for users of older Pocket PCs or Smartphones to upgrade to ActiveSync 4.1.

ActiveSync 4.1 offers Backup/Restore to pre-Windows Mobile 5.0 devices (top) but the option is no longer available when it is used with a Windows Mobile 5.0 device (bottom).

ActiveSync 4.1 has most of the features found in ActiveSync 3.8, with some exceptions. With ActiveSync 4.1, Microsoft has dropped support for synchronizing with TCP/IP (which includes Wi-Fi, GPRS, EV-DO, 1xRTT and Ethernet) because of known security issues (ActiveSync sends data as clear text and AirScanner Reports Possible Equipment ID and Password Hack via Network with ActiveSync 3.71 and 3.8. There's more on this on AirScanner's Web site: (http://www.airscanner.com/security/activesync371.htm). Also missing from ActiveSync 4.1 is the ability to back up and restore data on Windows Mobile 5.0 devices. (It is there, however, for devices running previous versions of the OS.) Developers of third party programs such as Sprite Backup (http://www.spritesoftware.com) are working on adding this ability to their products, so users of Windows Mobile 5.0 devices can make system-wide backups to their desktop PC.

Also, ActiveSync 4.1 no longer supports the ability for Windows Mobile 5.0 device users to import or export Microsoft Access database files to CDB format. This was removed because Windows Mobile 5.0 devices now use SQL to store the databases and Microsoft dropped support for the CDB database format. So any application that you use that depends on converting data into the CDB format will no longer be able to synchronize with ActiveSync 4.1 and Windows Mobile 5.0 devices.

Installation