How to Format & Reinstall WinCE on a GPS

Windows CE is a very basic, embedded operating system made my Microsoft. It is used in a number of mobile platforms such as cell phones, PDAs and many GPS systems. It lacks many key features of more complete operating systems, but it can provide support for applications, games and external file browsing. Formatting and reinstalling Windows CE is actually quite simple. The process should take no more than fifteen minutes to complete.

Navigate your Web browser to the Windows CE download page (see Resources).

Download the most recent revision of the Windows CE installation files, and save them to your local hard drive.

Open Windows Mobile Device Center. If you don't have Windows Mobile Device Center currently installed on your computer, you can navigate your Web browser to the Windows Mobile Device Center download page (see Resources). Save the installation file to your local hard drive, and run it when the download completes. Follow the on-screen instructions to automatically install Windows Mobile Device Center.

Connect your GPS device to your computer using a USB cable. A notification window should appear when Windows Mobile Device Center detects your GPS device.

Click on "File Management" in the Windows Mobile Device Center main menu, and then double-click your GPS system to open it in a new file browsing window. Drag and drop the completed Windows CE installation file onto the GPS device. When the file transfer is complete, disconnect your GPS device from the USB cable.

Click on the Windows icon located in the top left corner of the GPS screen. Click "File Manager," and then scroll until you see the Windows CE installation file. Highlight the installation file, and press "OK" to automatically initiate the Windows CE reinstallation process. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the format and reinstall. The GPS device should automatically restart when the process is complete.