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ActiveSync is a synchronisation program developed by Microsoft. It allows a mobile device to be synchronized with either a desktop PC, or a server running FirstClass Collaboration Suite, Microsoft Exchange Server, PostPath Email and Collaboration Server, Kerio MailServer, Zimbra or Z-Push. Only Personal information manager (PIM) data (Email/Calendar/Contacts) may be synchronized with the Exchange Server. (Tasks may also be synchronised with Exchange Server on Windows Mobile 5.0 devices.) The PC synchronization option, however, allows PIM synchronization with Microsoft Outlook, along with Internet "favorites", files, and tasks, amongst other data types. Supported mobile devices include PDAs or Smartphones running Windows Mobile, or the Windows CE operating system, along with devices that don't use a Microsoft operating system,[1] such as the Symbian and iPhone platforms. ActiveSync also provides for the manual transfer of files to a mobile device, along with limited backup/restore functionality, and the ability to install and uninstall mobile device applications.
At a special iPhone SDK launch event in March 2008, Apple announced that it would use ActiveSync technology to allow for synchronization between iPhones and Microsoft Exchange Server.
Alternative software that allows mobile devices to synchronize non-Microsoft PIMs with a PC is also available; such as FinchSync and BirdieSync for Thunderbird, or Intellisync.
Starting with Windows Vista, the latest release of the Windows Operating System, ActiveSync has been replaced with the Windows Mobile Device Center.[2]
[edit] Release history
| Version |
Operating systems |
Release date |
Major changes |
| 1.0 |
Windows 95 |
1996-09-10 |
- Initial version (under name H/PC Explorer)
|
| 1.1.7077 |
Windows 95, NT 4 |
1997-03-19 |
- Renamed to Windows CE Services
- NT4 support
- Stability and compatibility fixes
- Revised EULA
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| 2.0 |
Fall 1997 |
- Support for Windows CE 2
- Windows CE 1 support dropped
|
| 2.1 |
1998-02 |
- Support for Windows CE 2.1x
|
| 2.2 |
Windows 95, NT 4, 98 |
1998-09 |
- NT4 installation easier
- 33% faster than 2.1
|
| 3.0.0.9204 |
1999-08-16 |
- Renamed to Activesync
- Faster, simplified, and vastly improved.
- Removed the association between RAS/DUN and the Windows CE connection stack
|
| 3.1.9386 |
1999-11-24 |
- USB synchronisation and the inclusion of the AvantGo host client
- Auto-adjusting baud rate
|
| 3.1.9439 |
Windows 95, NT 4, 98, 2000 |
? |
|
| 3.1.9587 |
2001-07-31 |
- Added synchronisation support for Microsoft Exchange Server 2000
- Fixes for Outlook 98 / 2000 Security updates
- Fixed a problem with the USB sync option
|
| 3.5.1176 |
Windows 95, NT 4, 98, 2000, XP |
2001-08-06 |
- Integrated support for new Windows and Office XP releases and Pocket PC 2002
- Improved USB functionality, security and sync performance
- New connection sounds
|
| 3.5.12007 |
2002-03-01 |
- Revised high colour program icon
|
| 3.6.2148 |
Windows 95, NT 4, 98, 2000, XP, 2003, Home Server |
2002-11 |
- Support for the new range of Smartphone devices
- Customary security updates and synchronisation performance improvements
- New Get Connected Wizard
- Improves on remote synchronisation by preventing error messages and dialogues from halting sync process
|
| 3.7.3083 |
2003-05-06 |
- Minor updates to internal icon set
- Corrects a discovered security flaw in ActiveSync
- Improvements to the synchronisation wizard, other UI changes and general enhancements
- Improvements to support forthcoming Microsoft Office 2003 release and Windows Mobile 2003
|
| 3.7.1.3244 |
2003-10-10 |
- Improvements to USB drivers and issues related to synchronisation
- Get Connected Wizard's interface modified slightly.
|
| 3.7.1.4034 |
2004-03-26 |
- Fixed reported bugs with Windows Explorer and XP Firewall integration.
|
| 3.8 |
2005-01-06 |
- Secure functionality and provide updates for Windows XP SP2 systems
- Performance improvements in synchronisation
- Circumvents XP Firewall prompts that users experienced with other program versions upon first run.
- Disables the Ethernet (LAN, BlueTooth) and RAS (Modem and WAN) connection method by default
|
| 4.0.4343 |
Windows 2000, XP, 2003, Home Server |
2005 |
- Users able to specify installation directory
- Removal of on-personal area connectivity options from the synchronisation mix.
- Services for connections with Microsoft SQL server are included, along with a synchronisation update for Windows Media Player 10
- GUI refresh
|
| 4.0.4358 |
2005 |
- Retail version included only on Windows Mobile 5 device CDs
|
| 4.1.0.4841 |
2005-11-18 |
|
| 4.2.0.4876 |
2006-06-06 |
- Microsoft Outlook Improvements: Resolves issues relating to error code 85010014
- Proxy/DTPT interaction Improvements: Improved auto configuration of device Connection Manager settings when desktop has no proxy path to the Internet
- Improved Desktop Pass Thru behavior with ISA proxy failures
- Partnership improvements: Better resolution of multiple devices with the same name syncing with the same desktop
- Connectivity Improvements: Better handling of VPN clients (resolve unbinding of protocols from our RNDIS adapter). New auto detection of connectivity failure with user diagnostic alerts
- New troubleshooting utility
|
| 4.5.5096 |
2007-02-13 |
- Faster file transfer speed and photo sync via Outlook are only available for Windows Mobile 5.0 powered devices.
- Customers using Microsoft Exchange 2003 Service Pack 2 with devices running the Messaging and Security Feature Pack for Windows Mobile 5.0 will benefit from the following feature enhancements included in ActiveSync 4.5: Direct Push Technology, local device wipe, and certificate powered authentication to Microsoft Exchange.
- Microsoft Office Outlook 2000 not supported
- Conversion of database files for use on a mobile device is not supported
- Conversion of font files for use on a mobile device is not supported by ActiveSync 4.5
|
[edit] Compatibility
[edit] Office Compatibility
| Office Version |
Use ActiveSync version |
| Schedule+ 7 |
1.1/3.0 |
| Outlook 97 |
3.1 |
| Outlook 2000 |
3.8/4.2 |
| Outlook 2002/2003/2007 |
3.8/4.5 |
[edit] OS compatibility
[edit] Device compatibility
The software is free to download from the Microsoft ActiveSync website. Support is usually provided by the device manufacturer and the cost for that support depends on its policy. In addition, Microsoft offers email support for USD $99 per request, as well as telephone support for USD $259 per request.
[edit] References
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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Windows Mobile |
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| Device software |
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| Desktop synchronization |
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| Server utilization |
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| Hardware |
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