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ActiveSync 3.8 - how to get it, and why you need it
[Update 6:55 PM - as ScOObyDoo notes in the comments below, this post relates to pre-Windows Mobile 5 devices]ActiveSync might be one of Microsoft's most-maligned pieces of software. It's been around for years, and most of its users have a love / hate relationship with it. When it works, it's fantastic, and when it doesn't, well, it's downright painful.
Over the years ActiveSync got better and better, and in terms of usefulness really peaked at version 3.8. This is the last version in the 3.x line before Microsoft did a major overhaul for the release of 4.0. Now, I'm not going to try to tell you that ActiveSync 3.8 is more stable than the 4.x series. I'm sure it's not. But, in their infinite wisdom, Microsoft removed one of the most valuable features in ActiveSync for version 4: the ability to synchronize over a network, or wireless network. This ability was removed and replaced with the ability to sync via BlueTooth.
The sheer freedom that can be gained from being to be anywhere in your home or work office and check your email, or change the time for a meeting is completely destroyed if you install ActiveSync 4.x. So my suggestion is just don't. Luckily you can simply uninstall whatever version of ActiveSync you are using, then download and install version 3.8 from the fine folks at HPCFactor, and you're back in business.
Comments
4
Subscribe to commentsScOObyDooSep 18th 2006 7:54PM
Sadly this version will not work with recent WindowsMobile 5 devices. They use a different system to communicate with the desktop. I really wish Microsoft would consider enabling wifi syncing again for WM5/AS4 users...
RichardSep 19th 2006 9:39AM
Having used every HTC released device with varying versions of ActiveSync for several years, I can attest to the fact that it peaked at 3.8.
The entire 4.x range has been extremely buggy, often had problems with detecting that a device is connected, had features removed from it (you forgot to include backup) and annoyingly fails to sync with Exchange (and Outlook 2002) when you're using a VPN.
If I could stick with 3.8 I would but, as ScOObyDoo has rightly pointed out, you cannot use it with Windows Mobile 5 devices.
DaveSep 19th 2006 1:05PM
Apparently his has been added back in on version 4.5 beta 2 available here:
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Microsoft_ActiveSync/1032484934/1
Haven't tried it myself, so not sure ifit works
Jason ClarkeSep 19th 2006 1:08PM
Unfortunately, it doesn't look like 4.5 beta 2 adds this functionality back. In the description, it says "it can synchronize directly with Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 so that you can keep your e-mail, calendar data, tasks and contact information updated wirelessly when you’re away from your PC." This is very different from being able to sync to your PC wirelessly directly; Microsoft is now giving the wireless sync feature only to users that have access to an Exchange server to synchronize with.