When you sync your Windows Mobile device with ActiveSync, a name appears for the handheld in the main screen: 

With Pocket PCs and Pocket PC Phones, it's easy to change this name by using the About utility in the Settings menu, but if you have a Windows Mobile Smartphone, changing the name is seemingly impossible. 

Windows Mobile Device Center, the ActiveSync alternative available to Windows Vista users, allows you to set the name of your smartphone the first time you sync, but ActiveSync assigns a name automatically, often something like "WM_Name."  In this tutorial, we'll show you show to change the name of your Windows Mobile Smartphone.

CAUTION: This tutorial involves changing the registry of your Windows Mobile Smartphone. The registry is the underpinning of the OS running on your smartphone, so make changes to the registry with caution. If you make a mistake, you could render your device unusable.  We disclaim any and all responsibility for loss of data or functionality.

 

Step 1: Get a Registry Editor

In order to edit your smartphone's registry, we need to have a usable registry editor. Registry Editors which run directly on the smartphone are available, but in the interests of simplicity, we recommend a registry editor that runs within Windows.  Mobile Registry Editor connects to your Windows Mobile Smartphone over USB and allows you to make quick changes to your handheld's registry right from your Windows PC.

Download Mobile Registry Editor here.  Be sure to read the download site's installation and usage instructions.  

Once you have the Mobile Registry Editor (or whichever editor you prefer, we're ready to proceed.

 

Step 2: Making the Change

With your registry editor open, find the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Ident\

Within this key, you'll see several strings and values.  One string is titled "Name" and its value is the current name assigned to your Windows Mobile Phone.  In our case, that's WM_Matthew:

 

To change the name of your device, you need to change the "Name" string's value.  In Mobile Registry Editor, right-click below the last string value (in a black space) and select New > String Value:

When prompted, enter the following without spaces:

Value Name: Name

Value Data: Your_Desired_Name (in my case "MotorolaQ")

 

There can be no spaces in your chosen name.  Click OK (or other confirmation if you're using a different editor).  As you can see, the value "Name" has been updated:

 

Step 3: Reset & Reconnect

Now, disconnect your smartphone from its USB cradle and perform a soft reset (if your handset doesn't have a reset button, simply remove and replace the battery). Reconnect the smartphone to your PC.  You'll see that ActiveSync now displays the new name:

 

You're finished!

 

Final Thoughts

This tutorial requires manually changing the registry of your Windows Mobile device. Registry changes, or tweaks, should be make sparingly unless you're an expert. 

There are third-party applications designed to make registry tweaks easier and safer, but these should also be used with caution. 

This tutorial deals with Windows Mobile Smartphones only, not Pocket PC Phones. To better understand the difference, take a look at this article in our Help Center.  A good rule of thumb is this:  if your phone has a touchscreen, it is NOT a smartphone.

 

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