[Q] Pull a XAP off a phone? - Windows Phone 7 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Is there a way to pull XAPs off of your phone? I'd like to pull a few apps with ugly icons off and edit their icons (it's fairly easy, I've done it before with stuff off of XDA).

... people keep asking this. The reasons vary but the question has been asked a lot.
The phone doesn't even store the XAP files, so no. It's like asking if you can get the "setup.exe" out of somebody's copy of a PC game.
However, the files in the XAP, and for your particular case the images in the XAP, are unpacked onto the phone's filesystem in \Applications\Install\<APP_GUID>\Install\. You can use an app like WP7 Root Tools to access them. I can't promise it'll work with marketplace apps (the binaries, at least, are signed and the signatures are checked every time the app is loaded) but it's quite possible there are no hash checks on content files.

Advanced Config allows you to change the icons for any app. If it's a free app there is a program floating around here that allows you to download the xaps to your computer from the marketplace then you can use winrar or whatever zip program you want and replace the app icon.

Related

running custom executable from zip files on wp7

I am trying to run a custom executable on my schubert. I can send the file to my email as a zip and then open it. Wp7 gives a warning saying 'do you want to run the executable' I click 'yes' but nothing really happens.
can we convert a silverlight xap file which is actually a zip file into an exeutable and run it?
Also is it possible to depoly an app from within the phone?
There are efforts underway to either run native apps (EXEs) or to install apps (from XAP files) on the phone itself. Currently, I don't think either is possible. Feel free to lend a hand, though. A little searching on the forum will turn up the relevant threads, but I know that a lot of work has been discussed in the DllImport Project thread on this sub-forum.
People have been able to make native apps, but they are DLL's, not EXE's. TouchExplorer/TouchXperience/a few registry editors, File Explorers are all Native. Although there a problem with native Apps & the Multitasking Registry Hack. Once one Native app is loaded, no other will start up unless you restart.

[Q] Renaming Files and Folders

Hi all,
Loving my Optimus 3D but can't seem to work out how to rename files and folders. I know once you have taken a photo it gives you the option to Rename, but I was wondering how I could go back and rename photos and video files, and folders from before (without connecting to my computer). Anyone know?
Also can you create folders within the phone for content? And can you organize content in the Applications section, e.g. sorting Downloads in order or placing them in different categories.
Any help would be much appreciated
Cheers
karlgent said:
Hi all,
Loving my Optimus 3D but can't seem to work out how to rename files and folders. I know once you have taken a photo it gives you the option to Rename, but I was wondering how I could go back and rename photos and video files, and folders from before (without connecting to my computer). Anyone know?
Also can you create folders within the phone for content? And can you organize content in the Applications section, e.g. sorting Downloads in order or placing them in different categories.
Any help would be much appreciated
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To rename files and folders and create folders on your phone you'd have to have an explorer app that allows you to browse your filesystem. I'm not aware of any browser apps that don't require root (ie. Astro or Root Explorer) but then again, I've never had the need for one and always had my phones rooted.
You might wanna be carefull when renaming folders and files though.
I don't think the standard launcher allows changing the contents of the applications drawer.
Thanks for the response, appreciate it. At the risk of sounding like a total noob, what do you mean when you say having your phone rooted? I'm total new to smart phones and always just had an old simple mobile.
Also, is the Optimus 3D like the iPhone in that you need to hack it to install apps downloaded from your PC for free or can you install any apps via PC
get "estrongs file explorer". it's free and does many many many more amazing things than just letting you rename files without root requirement.
karlgent said:
Thanks for the response, appreciate it. At the risk of sounding like a total noob, what do you mean when you say having your phone rooted? I'm total new to smart phones and always just had an old simple mobile.
Also, is the Optimus 3D like the iPhone in that you need to hack it to install apps downloaded from your PC for free or can you install any apps via PC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting a phone basically gets you super access, kind of like having an administrator account on Windows. It comes in handy for example when you want to use custom roms, get complete file access, use screenshot tools etc.
And an Android phone is in no way an iPhone when it comes to installing apps. There's an option that when turned on allows the installation of apps you didn't get from the Market (it's in the Application section of your options menu). Presuming you only use free programs you downloaded you can just put the .apk file on your internal or external sd card and install it, either by using a file browser (such as the mentioned Estrong) to find the apk or using a separate app installer which you can download from the Market.
Awesome, thanks for the reply really appreciate it, and I actually understand it now.
So if I downloaded and installed an app or game from the internet for free, that usually had to be bought on the Android market or from Gameloft for example, could you get in trouble or banned/blocked in any way?
Sorry if this is a noob/inappropriate question
Cheers
no. google actiually lets you do what you want with your device.
Awesome, good to know. I'm really wanting the Gangstar games from gameloft but they aren't available to purchase via Gameloft yet. I can download the pirated versions and install them, but would Gameloft cause any problems when I did so or would I always have to play in airplane mode?
Most pirated software works just like the original version, just check if there's any installation instructions. The biggest disadvantage in my opinion is not being able to update pirated software through the Market.
You can use Polaris Office included in the phone as file explorer for all the naming, copying etc.. The name is a bit misleading
Nice, I didn't know that Polaris was a glorified file browser. Works great for viewing, editing and removing files and folders.
So, to the topicstarter, this is all you need to do the things you want. You can edit your filesystem and browse to your downloaded apps to install them (for example create a map called DownloadedApps, connect your phone to your pc, copy any downloaded apps to the map you created, disconnect, use Polaris to browse to the DownloadedApps map and click on any app you want to install).
If you want to rename a file or folder just long press on it and you'll be presented with all the options you need.
Yeah, I just had a play around with it, looks and works really good. Thanks for all the help folks much appreciated.
PS - If anyone could provide instructions and a link on how to install the Gangstar games (hereby showing me how to install ripped games at the same time) I would very much appreciate it. Been having no luck getting it to work

[Q] Delete integrated app.

hello xda friends!!
I've changed wp7 account with registry tweak.
But I faced with problem. Apps what downloaded by older account are can't update. these include integrated app (ex. Extra Settings (samsung-couldn't find in marketplace.))
I could update by delete old app and newly download. But can't delete integrated app. How can i solve this problem?
Please help me...
thanks!! good day~
Phone ROMs typically include some XAP files (and DRM licenses for them, more like marketplace XAPs than homebrew ones). They are stored in the \Windows folder on the phone. Using the Mango Webserver app you can view and downlod these XAPs. You could either try re-installing them (each one comes with a special provxml file that installs it) if you can process the provxml, or you can try to sideload it.
By the way, what do you mean by "integrated" apps? Do you mean the ones that came with the phone, or the ones that install into the Settings hub? If you're trying to delete apps from Settings, the easiest way is to install another app with the same GUID (downloading the XAP will let you see the GUID) that installs to the app list (will replace the copy in Settings) and then uninstall it from there.
GoodDayToDie said:
Phone ROMs typically include some XAP files (and DRM licenses for them, more like marketplace XAPs than homebrew ones). They are stored in the \Windows folder on the phone. Using the Mango Webserver app you can view and downlod these XAPs. You could either try re-installing them (each one comes with a special provxml file that installs it) if you can process the provxml, or you can try to sideload it.
By the way, what do you mean by "integrated" apps? Do you mean the ones that came with the phone, or the ones that install into the Settings hub? If you're trying to delete apps from Settings, the easiest way is to install another app with the same GUID (downloading the XAP will let you see the GUID) that installs to the app list (will replace the copy in Settings) and then uninstall it from there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thnks reply. Second point is what I wanna bring mean to u(install into the settings hub)

[Q] Repacking .XAP on the phone

Hi
I have big problem with wp7 PC Softwares like 7market OR ezDeploy because it doesnt run on my pc
Now,is there any way to repack apps in the phone (like in File Explorer) ??
It's not really practical at all, no. One app can't (legitimately, without hacks or a custom ROM) access the filesystem enough read another app's install location. Rebuilding a XAP file (assuming you can access the install directory) is theoretically possible, but I'm having a hard time seeing many legitimate reasons to do so.
Thanks 4 your answer my friend
But how Private Marketplace repacking after download the app???
XAP files are just ZIP archives; they're easy to unpack, modify, and repack. As I said, you *could* re-create them from the install location (you'd have a to tweak a few things, but it woulnd't be that hard).
As for "Private Marketplace", I'm not familiar with this tool but, from your description, it sounds like it downloads the marketplace XAP from Microsoft's servers, then repackages it so it can be sideloaded. That's interesting (and potentially sketchy, but I'll assume these are only free apps) but I don't see what it has to do with repackaging XAPs on the phone.
What is your goal, here?
By the way, the "re-package a XAP on the phone" thing has come up several times before. Please use Search before posting.

xap deployment mechanism?

Hello everyone,
I'm new to wp7 and wince. I want to know what happened when I deploy a xap to my wp7 phone. Because my phone has not been unlocked, I could not see files on the phone. How about the XML files in the xap? Where do they go? If there are any registry values that will be changed? Thanks.
Roughly speaking, the process goes like this (I might have the order wrong in a few steps, this is based on observation not reverse engineering):
First, the phone verifies that installing unsigned apps is allowed and that you haven't hit the app limit.
Second, it unpacks the WMAppManifext.xml file from the XAP and p****s it.
Third, it checks whether the app's capabilities are allowed (in particular, if you aren't interop-unlocked, ID_CAP_INTEROPSERVICES will be prohibited).
Fourth, it copies the XAP into a temp folder (under \Application Data\<something>\GUID, I forget exactly where).
Fifth, it registers the app in the AppMgr, a database that contains info about installed apps and shows them in the app list.
Sixth, it creates a "chamber" (basically, a user account) specifically for the app, with permissions specified by the manifest CAPs.
Seventh, it creates a folder at \Applications\Install\{GUID} and one at \Applications\Data\{GUID} where GUID is the app's ProductId.
Eighth, it unpacks the XAP into that Install\{GUID} folder.
Ninth, it adds policies to the PolicyEngine (security system) that allows the app to read its install folder, read/write its data folder, and to be launched into its chamber.
Tenth, it deletes the temp folder where the app was unpacked.
The registry should not be affected during this process. Files in the XAP are unpacked onto the filesystem mostly unmodified.
GoodDayToDie said:
Roughly speaking, the process goes like this (I might have the order wrong in a few steps, this is based on observation not reverse engineering):
First, the phone verifies that installing unsigned apps is allowed and that you haven't hit the app limit.
Second, it unpacks the WMAppManifext.xml file from the XAP and p****s it.
Third, it checks whether the app's capabilities are allowed (in particular, if you aren't interop-unlocked, ID_CAP_INTEROPSERVICES will be prohibited).
Fourth, it copies the XAP into a temp folder (under \Application Data\<something>\GUID, I forget exactly where).
Fifth, it registers the app in the AppMgr, a database that contains info about installed apps and shows them in the app list.
Sixth, it creates a "chamber" (basically, a user account) specifically for the app, with permissions specified by the manifest CAPs.
Seventh, it creates a folder at \Applications\Install\{GUID} and one at \Applications\Data\{GUID} where GUID is the app's ProductId.
Eighth, it unpacks the XAP into that Install\{GUID} folder.
Ninth, it adds policies to the PolicyEngine (security system) that allows the app to read its install folder, read/write its data folder, and to be launched into its chamber.
Tenth, it deletes the temp folder where the app was unpacked.
The registry should not be affected during this process. Files in the XAP are unpacked onto the filesystem mostly unmodified.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank u for ur excellent reply! I am trying to find ways to interop unlock my nokia phone. Thanks a lot!
Good luck! I've been looking for interop-unlocks for months now (sometimes in Nokia, sometimes in other OEMs like my HTC, sometimes in the OS itself) but more people is always better. Sometimes a new perspective is all it takes.

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