ActiveSync

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ActiveSync is a synchronization program developed by Microsoft. It allows a mobile device to be synchronised with either a desktop PC, or a server running Microsoft Exchange Server or Kerio MailServer. Only Personal information manager (PIM) data (Email/Calendar/Contacts) may be synchronised with the Exchange Server. (Tasks may also be synchronised with Exchange Server on Windows Mobile 5.0 devices.) The PC synchronisation option, however, allows PIM synchronisation with Microsoft Outlook, along with Internet "favourites", 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 platform. 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.

Alternative software that mobile devices to synchronise non-Microsoft PIMs with a PC is also available; such as FinchSync[2] 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.[3]

[edit] Major releases

ActiveSync 4.5 BETA 2 - microsoft.com
ActiveSync 4.2 - microsoft.com
ActiveSync 4.1
ActiveSync 4.0

ActiveSync 4.x no longer allow synchronization via exposed TCP/IP connections (such as WiFi, LAN or Dial-up). Wide Area synchronization is now only supported in conjunction with Microsoft Exchange Server under Windows Mobile devices. These changes have no effect on Personal Area synchronization such as Infrared, Serial, USB or Bluetooth. Also, ActiveSync 4.x only supports syncing with devices with Windows CE 3.0 and higher.