How to remove the operator and get your Windows Phone Updates (HTC ONLY)

Mar 23 2011

Howdy!

So NoDo was finally released this morning. Well, for the EU people anyway (don’t get me started).

Windows Phone 7, by default, stores your operator identifier in a sneaky registry key, which is checked by the Windows Update Client running on the phone. This identifier is then used to check if the updates have been approved for your operator. If they are slow, like Telstra here is in Australia, you’re going to be waiting a long time.

So, let’s tell you how you can “un-brand” (this won’t remove the boot splash screen) your phone so it appears to be a generic handset to the Update Servers.

Your device needs to be dev-unlocked for this to work. Sorry folks.

Download this zip file and deploy the 3 xap files onto your device.
Run the ChevronWP7.Ringtones.xap and wait till it displays “Ringtones added… and CustClear.provxml underneath”
Run the TouchXplorer app, navigate to My DocumentsMy Ringtones click on CustClear.provxml and select Copy from the Application Bar.
Navigate back inside TouchXplorer to the Windows folder.
Select paste from the Application Bar, this should scroll right to the bottom and put a copy of CustClear.provxml in the Windows folder.
Now run the Connection Setup application and click on the Ok button (it’s the one with the tick).

And now you’re done and free to re-connect to Zune and check for updates.

Again, this is ONLY for HTC devices.

Thanks to Rafael for his help.

windows-phone-7

Posted by: Chris Walsh
Last revised: 19 Apr, 2011 10:23 AM History

Comments

techSage

23 Mar, 2011 01:08 AM

Considering that from Microsoft''s update log there seem to be carrier-specific versions of NoDo, would hacking this update onto our phones perhaps put getting those device-specific benefits at jeopardy?

RowdyBullGaming

23 Mar, 2011 01:15 AM

Worked on my HTC HD7 on TMobile in the United States. I installed the 7008 update fine, but my device is not sewing NoDo yet.

Awesome Guys

Sataris

23 Mar, 2011 01:31 AM

AWESOME!

Waiting for vodafone to get it''s act together, will try this once I get back from the office!

polychromenz

23 Mar, 2011 02:27 AM

Thanks for that - works for my HTC Mozart (bought from Telstra) running here in NZ. Onlyupgraded me to 7008 though - still no nodo love :(

Eric Matinez

23 Mar, 2011 04:01 AM

Hi! I followed the instructions above but only received the 7008 update, is there any way to repeat the process to receive NoDo? I have tried again and again, but the update check tells me that I have the latest software. Thanks in advance for your help!

Beau Giles

23 Mar, 2011 04:11 AM

Thanks for this! Used ChevronWP7 on my HTC Mozart (running build 7004) and was able to have Zune happily update to 7008 - no NoDo for me however. Not sure whether it''s because the Mozart hasn''t been updated or some other reason....

Either way, thanks for this! Can''t wait for Microsoft to verify I am who I say I am so I can legitimately sideload XAPs.

Rohan

23 Mar, 2011 04:12 AM

Thanks this worked for me but I only got the Feb update. No NoDo yet.

devGOD

23 Mar, 2011 04:02 PM

thanks worked flawlessly on my TMO HD7 installing Feb update right now.

Question, there is an updated Tmobile radio ROM you think its possibly to grab the backup that zune does, install the new radio then restore that backup. In order to keep all my setting and text msgs

vangrieg

23 Mar, 2011 04:08 PM

Hey, a manual for turning a Chevron-unlocked phone into a locked phone that requires Chevron unlock. Nice! :)

On a serious note though, wasn''t there some rumor about a new MS-sponsored mechanism for homebrew apps a while ago? I seriously want copy/paste AND a Russian keyboard (which is impossible without unlocking). Don''t give a damn about pirating apps.

cipres

23 Mar, 2011 04:25 PM

i''ve got a branded german t-com htc7mozart and use it with an austrian carrier but i haven''t gotten any update, but after your little trick i could at least download the first one :D

Chris

23 Mar, 2011 08:58 PM

No it won''t.

deans

23 Mar, 2011 09:02 PM

Hello I have a HTC 7trophy(Vodafone au) ,when i select The connection setup it shows Vodafone ,is that alright.:-)

Gpx

23 Mar, 2011 11:11 PM

Thanks for your work. Tried your tutorial in Germany with an unbranded o2 HD7 with original developer unlock but was unable to receive any further update then 7008.

bigw

24 Mar, 2011 02:43 AM

On my phone, I flashed to the unbranded 7389 build from xda devs, and then when connected to zune checked for updates and got updated to 7390 (i.e. NoDo).

On my wife''s phone, I used your method instead so didn''t have to loose the device settings and content, this successfully updated to the pre update (from 7004 to 7008) but as of yet hasn''t found the NoDo Update.

They are both HTC Mozarts, so unclear why one got it and not the other?? Hopefully NoDo shows up on hers within the week eh?

Mike

24 Mar, 2011 11:27 PM

Hey, thanks so much for this... useless Telstra here in Australia hadn''t even given us Mozart owners the basic January update yet - but now, thanks to you I have it and now I''ll also get NoDo sooner (with any luck).