Microsoft discontinues Marketplace for WM6.x. HTC Advantage kills self.

This is bad news if you happen to own a Windows Mobile device. Microsoft is definitely killing Marketplace for devices running it's very old operating system. Owners of Windows Mobile 6.x have to consider an upgrade to the newest and more modern Windows Phone platform. After May 9, Marketplace will just cease to exist. Therefore a hard reset of a WM6.x device now means no ability to re-download your apps and games.


Shortly after reading the notification email from Microsoft, my good old HTC Advantage reached the edge of my desk and dramatically threw itself into the void. I picked it up physically unscathed, but definitely brain dead. No more response, no power, the end of an era.


Read the full discontinuation notice after the break.





Dear Windows Mobile 6.x customer: 

Microsoft is discontinuing the Windows Marketplace for Mobile service for Windows Mobile 6.x. Please review the details below to familiarize yourself with the changes:

Windows Mobile 6.x Marketplace Service To Be Discontinued
Beginning May 9, 2012, the Windows Mobile 6.x Marketplace service will no longer be available. Starting on this date, you will no longer be able to browse, buy or download applications directly on your Windows Mobile 6.x phone using the Windows Mobile 6.x Marketplace application and service.

Applications and games acquired from the Windows Mobile 6.x Marketplace service installed on your Windows Mobile 6.x phone will continue to work after the service is discontinued on May 9, 2012. However, additional downloads of these applications and games from the Windows Mobile 6.x Marketplace service will no longer be available.

Take Action

Microsoft recommends you review the applications or games installed on your Windows Mobile 6.x phone and install any available updates in advance of the Windows Mobile 6.x Marketplace service shut-down on May 9, 2012.

Please note: All phone data, including applications acquired through the Windows Mobile 6.x Marketplace service, data and user-specific settings, will be deleted from your Windows Mobile 6.x phone in the event that your phone is wiped or "hard reset." Any data on a removable storage card, if present, will also be deleted if your phone is wiped or "hard reset".

Windows Mobile applications and games that are compatible with Windows Mobile 6.x may still be available directly from their developers or via third-party marketplaces.

Thank you for your continued support of Windows Phone.

-The Windows Phone Team