Windows CE Services uses the registry on the desktop computer to store large amounts of information about the Windows CE–based devices that have created a partnership with the desktop computer. Windows CE Services uses the registry on the desktop computer to store configuration information. While most of these registry keys are documented, if you access them by name you are assuming that those key names always remain the same. However, this might not be the case, especially in international versions of Windows where registry keys can be in a different language.
The CEUTIL DLL exports functions that provide an abstraction layer over the registry keys that are used by Windows CE Services. Using this DLL allows a desktop computer application to query the devices that are currently registered, and to add or delete registry values underneath the keys that hold data for specific devices. The CEUTIL DLL does not communicate with a remote Windows CE–based device. Instead, it looks in the desktop registry for information that has previously been placed there by Windows CE Services.
You can use the CEUTIL DLL to manage desktop registry entries for Windows CE Services; register desktop file filters and synchronization services; access device-partnership settings that are used for both file filters and synchronization services; and add custom menu items to Windows CE Explorer.