Setting Up the Source Files for a Custom Shell
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8/28/2008
This topic describes how to add unique shell source code to your Windows Embedded CE installation while preserving the original shell source.
By default, all Windows Embedded CE-based OS designs compile the shell source code in the %_WINCEROOT%\Public\Shell directory. Thus, changes made to the shell source code in this directory affect all OS designs.
The source files that create the shell are in %_WINCEROOT%\Public\Shell\Oak\Hpc. It is recommended that you leave this file and directory structure intact. This preserves clean source code for future reference. More importantly, preserving the original H/PC code in its original path enables you to successfully install future product updates from Microsoft.
The file %_WINCEROOT%\Public\Shell\Oak\dirs is the only file in the update path you need to alter.
To setup your source files
Copy the files and directories in %_WINCEROOT%\Public\Shell\Oak\Hpc to %_WINCEROOT%\Public\Shell\Oak\<Shell Name>.
The shell name should have no spaces and must be unique compared to all file, directory, and subdirectory names within your %_WINCEROOT% directory.
Back up the file %_WINCEROOT%\Public\Shell\Oak\Dirs by saving it as dirs_original in the same directory.
Replace the existing code in the dirs file with the following code, which allows you to optionally build your custom shell.
OPTIONAL_DIRS= hpc \ <Shell Name>If you want to build other shells, such as the default shell in %_WINCEROOT%\Public\Shell\Oak\Hpc, list them as optional directories.