Create a Windows Mobile 6.5.3 project in Visual Studio 2008

Question

What do I need to install so that I can develop applications for Windows Mobile 6.5.3 devices, using Visual Studio 2008?

Answer 1

Since it took me like 3 days of research to figure out how to actually do this I'm creating this article to hopefully ease some others pain.

Firstly, have Visual Studio 2008 installed. Secondly, install these add on pieces:

1. Windows Mobile 6 Professional and Standard Software Development Kits Refresh http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=06111a3a-a651-4745-88ef-3d48091a390b&displaylang=en
2. Windows Mobile 6.1.4 Professional Images (USA) http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=1A7A6B52-F89E-4354-84CE-5D19C204498A&displaylang=en
3. Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional Developer Tool Kit (USA) http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=20686a1d-97a8-4f80-bc6a-ae010e085a6e&displaylang=en
4. Windows Mobile 6.5.3 Professional DTK http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c0213f68-2e01-4e5c-a8b2-35e081dcf1ca&displaylang=en

You may not need to install all of these but I did and it won't hurt anything most likely. nextly

1. Open Visual Studio 2008 and create a new project for Smart Device click ok

2. Select Device Application on the main window with the icons and change the target platform to Windows Mobile 6 Standard SDK. Click OK.

3. Right click on the the Project Name in the solution explorer and select Change Target Platform and choose Windows Mobile 6.5.3 Professional SDK. Click Ok.

4. The project will need to be closed and reopened.

That simple!