Anyone who has a Pocket PC can tell you they are great machines and have wonderful potential.  Nevertheless, let us face it; the software that is preloaded often leaves much to be desired.  There are huge limitations to what that software can do, which makes the need to use 3^rd party software huge.  While there are sites all over the internet, where you can purchase software for your PDA or Pocket PC how on earth is a beginning Pocket PC user supposed to know how to install it?  I am going to help the technologically challenged and beginners out with the important steps necessary to install .exe, .cab and .tsk programs for their PDA or Pocket PC. 

For the purposes of this explanation this is for the newest OS for the Pocket PC’s which is Windows Mobile 5.0, and I am assuming that to install the software you are using either a sync USB cable, OR a sync cradle which was included or purchased separately that is compatible with your PDA or Pocket PC.  Before you begin any installation, please make sure your PDA or Pocket PC is synced to your computer.   

We shall cover the most popular form; this is the .exe, which stands for executable.  You should install in the following order. 

Step 1.  Find the trial or software that you want to purchase.  Click either download trial or Purchase, or even Buy Now, depending upon the web site that you are at. 

Step 2.  A window will open and ask if you want to RUN the file or SAVE the file.  Select SAVE, then use the explorer window to select an easy to find location on your computer to save the file.  Most people use either My Documents or their Desktop to make the files easiest to find. 

Step 3.  Once the .exe is downloaded onto your computer, which depending upon the size of the .exe and the speed at which your ISP allows you to download can range from a few seconds to a few minutes you want to double click on the .exe icon.  This will now install the software on your computer.

Step 4.  Make sure you have access to your Pocket PC or PDA, because most during the installation process from the computer moving the necessary components to the Pocket PC or PDA will require you to accept a certificate on the device before the installation will be complete.  If you do not have access to the PDA or Pocket PC, you will be unable to click on the YES. 

Step 5.  Once the installation on the computer as well as PDA or Pocket PC is complete click OK. 

Step 6.  You should now unplug your PDA or Pocket PC from the sync cable, and browse through the programs file to ensure the software is installed.  Click the software to launch, many programs will require you to enter a registration key if you have purchased a full version, most trial versions will not require a key, but will require you to click a button accepting the trial.

Step 7.  Sit back and enjoy your success at installing your software on your own and without the need for the expensive Geek Squad team.