Keeping ActiveSync Up To Date

If you've got a Windows Mobile device such as a Pocket PC or Smartphone attached to your computer, you might want to take a moment or two out to check that you've got the latest version of ActiveSync installed. I thought mine was up to date, but it seems we've been quietly releasing minor updates on a fairly regular basis, sometimes without bumping up the version number. I was running build 3244, but on upgrading in situ was amazed to find that the current build number has crept up to 4034. (This is Microsoft ActiveSync 3.7.1, incidentally). As well as updates to support new devices, I know that in the past there have been some significant improvements to stability and synchronisation quality slipped in. It's a shame the software doesn't offer to silently check for updates on a regular basis - or alternatively offer these updates via Windows Update - it would be a nice feature to add for the next major version.

To check the version you're running, double-click on the ActiveSync tray icon and choose Help / About from the window that pops up. You can update the software without losing any existing settings, although you will have to reboot your machine for the upgrade to be completed.