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Removing the Application Lock on HTC s740 Smartphone

January 26, 2009 1:30 pm By 27 Comments

Temporale-HTC-s740RemoveAppLockWindows Mobile has this concept of Application Lock that defines the amount of access an application has to certain parts of the phone. No Application Lock means that applications can do and access pretty much anything.  To the other extreme, full Application Lock means that no applications can even be installed.  Now, most devices ship with some level in-between. Where signed applications are allowed and some unsigned applications are also allowed. But not every unsigned application. Those that write to restricted parts of the device are no allowed to install. As most devices do, HTC’s latest non-touch screen device, the s740, falls somewhere in the middle.  Overall, this is a good thing because it protects the average user from installing harmful applications.  But for those of us that want more, it’s a pain. With the s740, it appears to be a little more restrictive than in the past. I’ve had problems installing some of my everyday applications that normally have not caused me any problems.

For whatever reason, removing the application lock on the s740 is not the same as past devices and requires a little more effort.  I’ve detailed the steps required below.  Simply follow these steps and you’ll be able to install any application you like.

 

  1. Download the Remove Security application from MoDaCo forums (You can use this one from the s710). Copy the CAB file to your device and then browse to it on the phone and run it.
  2. Download PHM Registry Editor, copy it to the device and run it.
  3. Browse to the following key: HKLM \ Security \ Policies \ Policies \ 00001001  The value should be listed as 2 by default. Change this to 1
  4. Now browse to the following key: HKLM \ Security \ Policies \ Policies \ 00001005  The value should be set to 16 by default. Change this value to 40
  5. Connect your device to your computer and let Active Sync or Windows Mobile Device Center make the connection. Then you need to download SDA Unlock Tool (from here) to your computer and run it. Click the Remove Lock button.
  6. When SDA Unlock is done running, disconnect your device and restart it. Once it finishes booting, you will have removed the application lock and will be able to install your applications.

I have not tested this on the new s743, but it’s the exact same phone as the s740, but with North American radio in it. So I don’t see any reason why this wouldn’t work on the s743 as well.  If you have an s743, please post in the comments and let me know how it worked for you.

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About Mike Temporale

Mike Temporale has written 498 posts on Mobile Jaw..

Mike Temporale grew up fascinated by computers since an early age. His first hands on with a computer came when he was 7 years old and a travelling lab of Commodore PET computers made a stop at his school. Hooked on the new world these devices offered, he took any chance possible to get in front of a computer. When Compaq launched the iPaq 3600, he was hooked again. This time on a whole new world of mobile computing. Today, Mike spends his day helping clients deploy and manage their mobile device around the world. From installing custom software, to locking and securing data, and everything in between. He is also the Editor in Chief at Mobile Jaw - a site focused on today's mobile world.

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  • DeWoert

    I tried this on my dutch S740, but the registry keys are not there.
    HKLM \ Security \ Policies \ Policies \ is empty.

    Any tips ?

  • http://www.MobileJaw.com Mike Temporale

    @DeWoert Sounds like the registery editor you’re using doesn’t show the values by default. (The registry editor I mentioned in the article would have this problem) When you browse to the above registry location, switch from Keys to Values and you should see a whole bunch of items listed.

    Let me know how you make out.

  • DeWoert

    @Mike:
    Thanks for this suggestion, i changed the registry keys, and application-lock is gone now.. Great job !!

    (Now i have to find a way to get the Gregory_HTCHomeN installed)

  • http://www.MobileJaw.com Mike Temporale

    Oh man! that’s one awesome home screen. What problems are you having installing it? I’m going to give it a try later today and I’ll watch out for any gotcha’s that might come along.

    Here’s a link for anyone that’s interested in checking out Gregory_HTCHomeN –> http://www.modaco.com/index.php?act=Print&client=printer&f=135&t=263855

  • DeWoert

    I also really like that homescreen. Had same one on my othter HTC’s, but those where touch version, no problem there.
    My problem now is installing the gregory_HTChomeN.cab. It stops at about 75% with an error (translated from dutch):
    Installation unsuccesfull, program can’t be installed or a setting can’t be processed because of not the correct systemauthorisation is available.

    http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=477134

    Allready extracted all the files from the .cab, copied them to the correct locations, and found soms conficts with the current (sliding)-HTC Home files on the S740. Perhaps that’s the whole problem. Have to find a (easy) way to import the registy-setting from the .CAB and registering some .dll’s also.

    Any help/tips would be great.. :)
    Really want to get this plugin working on the S740..

  • http://www.MobileJaw.com Mike Temporale

    @DeWoert – I installed that theme the other day and I didn’t have any problems on my device. Make sure the device is fully application unlocked.

    I copied all the files to the home screen folder and then copied the CAB files to my storage card. First I ran the monitorplug.arm.cab file and then ran the gregory_htchomeN cab file. No errors and no issues.

    In the end, the home screen doesn’t look as nice in landscape as I was hoping. :(

  • DeWoert

    I tried serveral times to app-unlock using your manual, but installing the htc_home doesn’t work :(
    So i’mgiving up on that one.
    No problem installing other software, just the one 1 wanted.. :)
    Thanks you the info.

  • Nathe

    Hello, Great guide, many thanks, I have a problem though…

    I’ve installed MoDaCo remsec & the regedit, but I can’t change the data value from 2 to 1. It lets me change it in the registry editor screen, but when I click “Done” & it tries to save the value I get a screen that says:

    Error
    Unable to perform this operation

    I also tried this reg editor: http://www.smartphone-freeware.com/download-mobile-registry-editor-v1-1.html

    This one gives an “Access denied” message when I try to edit the data value.

    Any ideas?

  • http://www.MobileJaw.com Mike Temporale

    @Nathe – The error you’re getting is an indication that the RemoveSecurity cab file from MoDaCo either wasn’t run, or failed to install. Make sure you download the cab file and copy the entire CAB to the device. Then on the device, browse to the file and run it. You should get a message on the device after it’s run saying that it installed successfully.

    If you’re still having problems at this point, you might want to try a reboot of the device before editing the registry settings.

  • Nathe

    The Remove Security file gave an “installed ok” message, but didn’t appear to be running in the task/process list even after reboot. I reinstalled/rebooted a few times to make sure I wasn’t being a plum! Not sure what was causing the problem, but I found another solution:

    I did a bit more digging & discovered that Orange have addressed this problem, & you can get an official orange .cab file to application unlock most orange smartphones from:

    http://spvunlock.rd.francetelecom.com/

    Took them a few hours to send an email with a link to a cab file dedicated to my HTC S740. This looks like a French hosted site, but my phone was bought in the UK, so I assume it’s international. I assume that this file is imei specific rather than a generic one, but I can forward the link to anyone interested…

  • http://www.MobileJaw.com Mike Temporale

    To clarify, there should be no new running process after installing the MoDaCo RemoveSecurity CAB file. It doesn’t actually install any programs. It makes some changes to selected settings.

    I’m not sure why it didn’t work for you. Where did you get the s740 from? Perhaps HTC or the operator has changed something.

    Anyway, glad to hear it’s working for you.

  • Nathe

    The handset came from ebay, but I’m pretty certain it’s exactly as Orange (UK) delivered it. It shipped from Orange a month or so ago, so maybe they’ve changed something on the ROM.

    I did this to get TomTom 7 working on it, (with fakecursor), but it was terribly clunky & just about unusable. I’ve just installed McGuider & it seems much better, with a decent interface for non touch screen systems. You live & learn…

    Thanks for your help though, much appreciated!

  • Bob

    I’ve also tried installing this ‘Remove Security’ app – it seems to go through ok but then doesn’t show up in the start menu! Am I missing something?

    (on Orange S740)

  • Henry

    I have the same problem as Nathe. After I successful install the ‘Remove Security’ app. Then I start to run ‘PHM Registry Editor’, however, it give me the same error (Unable to perform this operation) when I try to change the value.

    Worstly, I also went to the http://spvunlock.rd.francetelecom.com/ website to enquire help from Orange, and they website seems crashed after you answer those questions.

    Can anyone help?

  • http://www.MobileJaw.com Mike Temporale

    I’m sorry to hear that there are so many issues with Orange devices. I can only guess that they made a change someplace that breaks this hack.

    I’m working on something else that will app unlock any Windows Mobile Standard device. I hope to have it posted soon. I’ll reply here once it’s up so you can test it out.

  • lars

    I’m having the same problem as Nathe.
    Dutch S740… Remove Securty App installd oke. but i can’t make a registery edit… hopefully you coming soon with a solution… please mail me than.. thnks :P

  • http://www.MobileJaw.com Mike Temporale

    Hey guys, I have posted an article that details how you can remove the application lock on ANY Windows Mobile Standard (non-touch) device. It’s quick and easy, and there’s no messing around with the registry. :)

    Check it out over here:

    http://www.mobilejaw.com/articles/2009/09/removing-application-lock-on-windows-mobile-standard-devices/

  • http://www.nextlab.co.il iphoner

    why it’s so hard to install a simple app on those HTC machines??

  • http://www.nextlab.co.il תיקון אייפון

    hi
    i think 00001005 should be changed to 127 instead of 40.

    but, there’s a much faster and easier way to remove the sucurity lock from the S740.

    go to this link and enter your IMEA. Orange will email you the CAB to copy to your device and install the unlocker free of charge.

    Cheers,
    Gery

  • http://www.nextlab.co.il תיקון אייפון
  • http://www.MobileJaw.com Mike Temporale

    This method of removing the application lock is old and outdated. Please visit the link I posted above (and I’ll post it again here) for a quick and easy way to remove application lock on any Windows Mobile Smartphone (non-touch).

    The Orange method does work, I have done that in the past, but it’s limited to Orange devices and they’re slow. ;)

    http://www.mobilejaw.com/articles/2009/09/removing-application-lock-on-windows-mobile-standard-devices/

  • nandhu

    hi! i’m havg HTC P3450 mobile,i want to unlock the mobile(sim lock).how should i unlock.
    give some tips!!!!!!!!!

  • http://www.MobileJaw.com Mike Temporale

    @nandhu – SIM unlock is very different than application lock. I don’t have any information on how you can SIM unlock your device. There are a number of paid services available. That’s how I do it. Best of luck.

  • http://www.nextlab.co.il תיקון אייפון

    Actually the P3450 (ELF) is not a Smartphone, but a touch screen WM6 pda phone.
    to sim, cid and spl unlock it, just follow this link – the xda-dev team did the unlock a few years ago. I would recommend you to use the Blue Touch Rom V4, it was very light and easy to use in the last 2 years for me.

    http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Elf

  • Craig

    I tried the above method on a Orange phone but it failed to edit the values.

    Lucky I have a Orange phone number tried the link

    http://spvunlock.rd.francetelecom.com/

    worked first time.
    Cheers