Managing My Internal Memory

The Windows Mobile internal program and storage memory management has always been an issue from day one. Having only 32 megs for along time was a real limiting factor in the early days. Specially when installing programs directly via a CAB file which had no provisions for selecting internal or external memory installation. I would run low in internal memory very quickly with only 4 to 6 programs. New devices now have 64 megs internal with the ability to select either internal or external storage card when installing via a CAB file. Installing from the desktop while Activesync was never an issue as far as installing onto an external memory card but a few years ago, SD memory cards were expensive and not very large.

Nowadays I am installing as much as I can on my 1 Gig external mini SD memory card using a SD card adapter. The reason for the mini SD card is on occasion I would like to take the mini SD card and insert it into my Audiovox Smartphone. What I do install directly onto the internal memory are programs that are designed specifically for hardware access. These are some of the program categories I would install internally.

- GPS related - Except large maps are accessed via External memory.
- WiFi Sniffers or other Wi-Fi tools
- Bluetooth related hardware software

The reason for installing hardware specific software internally is to ensure optimum driver and application throughput and minimize intermittent issues. With this in mind, I try to maintain a minimum of 16 megs of free internal storage memory. If I need to install another program internally, I remove one that I no longer need or rarely required and install it again when necessary.

All other programs which consist of programming tools, database applications and games are all installed on the external memory card.

For years, it has been an issue with Windows Mobile not having an actual close button but an X which is in reality a minimize button only. Windows Mobile is designed to manage the memory automatically but to date is not 100% reliable. For this reason, I use an excellent freeware software called MAGIC BUTTON. This allows you to actually close the application and free up some needed program memory space after a program is closed. Without MAGIC BUTTON, I would be resetting the Windows Mobile device almost every time I use the device. Go HERE to download the free MAGIC BUTTON from TRANCREATIVE. Magic Button Blog Post

All in all, Windows Mobile 5.0 and now Windows Mobile 6.0 are certainly better over previous versions in minimizing program and memory issues.