Remap Windows Mobile 6.5 Soft Keys via Registry

This guide explains how to change the default actions and labels of the left and right soft keys on the Windows Mobile 6.5 home screen by directly modifying registry values. By utilizing a mobile registry editor, you can assign custom applications and shortcuts to these hardware-linked buttons without installing heavy third-party interface launchers.

Prerequisites

To perform this edit, you need a mobile registry editor installed on your device (such as Resco Registry, PHM Registry Editor, or Total Commander) or a desktop-based remote registry editor connected via ActiveSync or Windows Mobile Device Center.

Registry Locations

The soft key assignments for the Today/Home screen are stored within the HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive. Navigate to the following path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Today\Keys

Under this key, you will find two subkeys:

  • KeyLSK: Controls the Left Soft Key.
  • KeyRSK: Controls the Right Soft Key.

Values to Modify

Within either KeyLSK or KeyRSK, locate and edit two specific string values (REG_SZ):

  1. (Default): Change this string to the text you want displayed on the screen above the physical button (for example, "Inbox", "Opera", or "Tasks").
  2. Open: Change this string to the exact file path of the executable application you want to launch.

Example: To map the Left Soft Key to launch a custom file explorer:

  • Path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Today\Keys\KeyLSK
  • Value Name: (Default)
  • Value Data: Explorer
  • Value Name: Open
  • Value Data: \Windows\fexplore.exe

Applying the Changes

Once both values have been modified:

  1. Close the registry editor to ensure all database transactions are committed.
  2. Perform a soft reset on the device (rebooting the system) to reload the Windows Mobile shell.

Upon reboot, the new text labels will appear above the soft keys on the home screen, and pressing the corresponding keys will execute the newly assigned applications.