Creating shortcuts in Windows Mobile

6 Mar 2009

There are several ways to create quick launch shortcuts to software applications in the Microsoft Windows Mobile operating system. Below are some of the shortcut methods available.

Launch Button

Some hardware buttons can be assigned to launch specific software applications when pressed. Once a button has been assigned, this should work while at the main Today screen and while in other applications that do not have the buttons re-assigned to functions used within that application.

To assign a button to launch a specific software application, follow the steps below.

  1. Tap on Start > Settings > Personal tab > Buttons icon.
  2. Highlight the name of the button that you want to assign, select the software application that you would like to launch using the button from the bottom drop-down menu, then tap OK.
  3. Press the assigned button to test that it successfully launches the desired software application.

     

Top Start Menu Item

An application can be added to the top section of the Start menu by following the steps below.

  1. Tap on Start > Settings > Personal tab > Menus icon.
  2. Check the box next to the application that you would like to add to the top Start menu (recommended to uncheck items that are not needed), and then tap OK.

     

Today Screen Item

Some software applications, such as ESRI Arcpad, include an optional Today screen item plug-in that can be installed with the application. This can allow the software application to be launched by simply tapping on text or a graphic icon contained within the item bar on the Today screen.

If the software application that you would like to launch does not include an optional Today screen item plug-in, some third party plug-ins that allow you to add shortcuts to other applications are available, such as SPB Pocket Plus.

Today Screen SIP Items

You can edit the Windows registry to change the options on the bottom Soft Input Panel (SIP) at the Today screen in Windows Mobile (replace the default "Calendar" and/or "Contacts"). The following Windows registry keys would need to be added/edited, and then a Reset may need to be performed.

Left Item[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Today\Keys\112\]Type=String, Name=(Default), Value=<Name of Application>Type=String, Name=Open, Value=<Path to main executable file>

Right Item[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Today\Keys\113\]Type=String, Name=(Default), Value=<Name of Application>Type=String, Name=Open, Value=<Path to main executable file>