System files moving not permitted

[mix]

Hi to everyone.

Before this HTC device I had others and also had a Motorola Mpx220 (WM2003 SE).

I was used to move the files within "\Windows\Start Menu" (mostly .lnk files to installed programs) into newly created subfolders, to be able to use and/or access the function I needed in a faster way.

I've tried doing the same on this WM5 device, but everytime I try I get an error message reporting it is not possible (File Explorer has greyed out options to cut and/or copy, while TotalCommander just reports it's not possible to "overwrite" ???).

Does anyone have an idea of how this can be done (registry ???) ?

Thank you.

Ciao

[mix]

Hi Mix, it's Mix answering (yes, I'm the same person...)...

First of all I would like to thank you ALL the people which knew the solution and were fighting to answer to my doubt...

You were so many, I wonder why the message has been read times and so many answers arrived: 0 (yes, ZERO).

Anyway, I came across the solution myself, by chance...

The problems seems being the smartphone versions of WM5 being protected against file modifications. This protection extends also to some files execution and to certificate installations (hence some problems may arise when connecting to an Exchange Server for syncronization).

Some tools are needed to remove this protection, and some experience of registry modification is required too (I will not help anyone beside what is in this message and I take no responsability for any mistakes and/or troubles you may produce or face).

First of all you need a special version of RegEdit (the tool from PHM): you should find an HTC digitally signed copy of it called RegEditSTG.exe.

Look around for it: there are many forums around which do hold a copy of it.

Place it in your phone's memory, not on the MicroSD card...

With this tool you should change the following values:

HKLM\Security\Policies\Policies\00001001 = 2 => 1 (RAPI)
HKLM\Security\Policies\Policies\00001005 = 16 => 40 (Cert)
HKLM\Security\Policies\Policies\00001017 = 128 => 144 (?)

The first is the value you will find, the second is the value you should enter. The third line has a question mark because someone says it should be made, someone not... It's up to you. I made it.

Then you should find another tool (with the same above method) called SDA_ApplicationUnlock.exe which has to be run on your desktop PC with the phone already connected with USB (and possibly with ActiveSync not in the middle of a sync...).

Once you run this, you will get a message that the unlock took place (if not, it may be the first operations did not complete well).

Disconnect your phone from the USB cable and power cycle it (switch it off and then on again).

Opla'... the phone is not APPLICATION UNLOCKED and you will be able to move file around the directories as I was looking to when I first posted my message.

Now I have a very quick Start Menu, as I wanted.

Please, be aware that this operation hacks the security policies of WM5 and then any other application which may be dangerous can now run on your phone.

If you wish to stay on the safe side, it could be useful to restore the registry settings to their original values, but I do not know if this could cause other problems, since I didn't on my phone.

I actually double check every single file by myself before launching it and I do not run anything which I'm not sure it is safe.

So, pay attention... (you have been warned...).

Hope this helps someone else out there.

Ciao

[vbi]

Thanks for the tips mate! I was searching around for the same problem.

Can a hard reset put all the files back as in the old WM2003? I'm asking that 'cause if you look at the windows directory, many exe and dll files are repeated, with a different code. I guessed they are for the many different languages the phone support and the code is the country code. Maybe when you switch from one language to another those files are renamed so you have the correct exe and dll for the language you need...
If I can erase all the files I don't need (I will never change the language or maybe have only italian and english) I can save lot of space.
Am I wrong? Was that ever tried before?

[mix]

Thanks for the tips mate! I was searching around for the same problem.

;-) I knew...

Can a hard reset put all the files back as in the old WM2003? I'm asking that 'cause if you look at the windows directory, many exe and dll files are repeated, with a different code. I guessed they are for the many different languages the phone support and the code is the country code. Maybe when you switch from one language to another those files are renamed so you have the correct exe and dll for the language you need...
If I can erase all the files I don't need (I will never change the language or maybe have only italian and english) I can save lot of space.
Am I wrong? Was that ever tried before?

In order:

- Yes, I suppose a hard reset of the device completely restores the original factory settings, hence, the device will appear as "brand new".

- You're right: all the localized files present there are just to be able to swithc to other languages (maybe following user's settings and maybe also following user's SIM settings too...).

- Erasing the unused files may appear as a "space saving" job. It is not. First of all you will not be able to remove ROM resident files, but provided you could be able to do this, you will not be able to use ROM space as you intend...

Finally then, it's completely unuseful to try to remove them, just a waste of time trying...

Ciao

[vbi]

Thanks Michele.

Are you sure the windows directory is in ROM?
I always tought ROM was only to store the "disk" image when you hard reset the device. I was so for the Qtek S100.

[mix]

Are you sure the windows directory is in ROM?

Yes it is. On the fact that it is then copied into RAM, well, this is a tecnique which was used up to WM2003 SE devices.

Starting from WM5 devices MS somewhat changed the behaviour of the whole system, hence I'm not then so sure.

Indeed, I have never been sure of anything, beside death, so you can imagine...

I'm not really so "expert".

Having used an MPx220 for over one year (with all its limitations, but exploiting it very much), using a WM5 device now is a much more relaxed experience (faster, more realiable and less troubly in terms of memory).

Just MHO

[johnocooper]

Thanks Mix - i followed your directions and it worked.

Got my QTEK (running i-Mate ROM) Application Unlocked