Running a .exe on Windows CE.

[Tiburon1186]

I'm trying to install an .exe file on Windows CE 6.0 and when I double click on the executable, nothing happens. Is there something specific that needs to be done on the CE OS to run an exe?

 

[Joe Average]

Windows CE (aka Compact Edition, aka PocketPC, etc) doesn't use .exe files for executable installers. While the actual program might be an .exe when it's installed, the installer format is a .cab file. You'll need to find the installer version of whatever app you're working with as a *.cab installer, copy it to the device or to a storage card you can put in the device, then use Explorer to locate and select it; that'll fire up the installation process.

 

[jeremyshaw]

and by default, the cab file is deleted after install (I dunno if that behavior has changed since 6.1), so keep a seperate copy

 

[Tiburon1186]

Thanks guys!

 

[YeuEmMaiMai]

and by default, the cab file is deleted after install (I dunno if that behavior has changed since 6.1), so keep a seperate copy

cab files are not deleted upon install. I still have all of mine on my sd card

 

[Joe Average]

It depends on the version of Windows CE - older versions (like the original PocketPC OS, etc) would delete the cab after installation, while newer versions are more forgiving. I had one of those craptastic 7" "Netbook" Windows CE devices a few days ago, did that very thing: downloaded the Opera Mini 5 cab installer to the desktop on the device, ran it from there, as soon as it was installed, *poof* the cab was gone...