VENDELETE.CMD - VENDOR.XML file Remover

I wrote this simple command file to detect and delete the BlackBerry VENDOR.XML files from the following Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 locations:

32-bit systems -

    *systemdrive*\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\AppLoader

64-bit systems -

    *systemdrive*\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Research In Motion\AppLoader

Win XP (32 and 64) -

    *systemdrive*\Documents and Settings\*username*\AppData\Roaming\Research In Motion\BlackBerry\Loader XML
    *systemdrive*\Documents and Settings\*username*\Application Data\Research In Motion\BlackBerry\Loader XML

Vista, Win7 (32 and 64) -

    *systemdrive*\Users\*username*\AppData\Roaming\Res earch In Motion\BlackBerry\Loader XML

With VENDELETE, you no longer have to hunt for and delete those pesky, hybrid-inhibiting Vendor.xml files yourself.

It's completely safe when used as directed as it looks for the Vendor.xml file only, in the specified locations only.

Please: I need testers of this, particularly Vista users. If you spot any problems with vendelete.cmd, please post them here and I will attend to them as soon as possible.

VISTA / W7 USERS: Please be sure to "run this as Administrator"

CREDIT TO ubersurfer (original creator)
CREDIT TO hyperyouth_firepower (forumer)

Upgrading Procedure for an Official OS release is as follows:

1. Download the OS and install it on your PC. (Make sure you have already removed any older OSes you have installed on your PC by going to Add / Remove Programs in Control Panel)

2. Delete the vendor.xml file (located in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\AppLoader)

3. Backup your 3rd party applications ( optional recommended step )

4. Connect your BlackBerry to your PC and right click on a file named Loader (located in the same place where you found the vendor.xml --- C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\AppLoader\Loader.exe) and select '' Run As Administrator ''

5. Follow the prompts and make sure you select the languages and applications you wish to be installed.
The Loader will backup and restore your data by default.

Still Having Issues !!?
I would recommend using BBSAK to Upgrade, so

- Uninstall the OS(s) you already have installed on your PC
- Delete the folder (research in motion) in ( c: \program files\common files\research in motion )
- Restart your PC

You can do an update without an active subscription by doing a "stealth" OS reload.

Delete the Vendor.xml file located at c:\program files\common files\research in motion\apploader

Run Loader.exe from that directory.

Pull the battery from your device, and put it back in. Plug in the USB to you BB device and IMMEDIATELY click the "next" button - here's where you want to make sure the port shows USB: UNKNOWN.

If it shows the PIN, you were too slow. Try again.

Basically, you're loading an OS from the bottom up. There is no "backup/restore" available for this. You'll lose everything on the device.

But it will work.

OS7 user, recently there are HIDDEN vendor.xml

Are you able to view the vendor.xml file in your apploader folder? If not..... click on tools --- folder options --- view --- make sure 'Show hidden files,folders and drives' is selected.

For all OS7 users, there is (it may be missing at times) another vendor.xml file at :

C:\Users\YOUR_COMPUTER_NAME\AppData\Roaming\ResearchinMotion\Blackberry\LoaderXml

Delete the 2nd vendor.xml too.

The above path is on 'win7/vista operating system'.

If above is not working, you can also use BB desktop manager to update. Remove all old os'es . Install the latest. Then, preferably, disconnect internet connection, then connect your phone and see if BBDM finds this new os as a suggested update.

In this case too, both vendor.xml need to be deleted.

So, you downloaded the newest, latest and greatest OS for your BlackBerry and have followed all the instructions found here.

1. Download and install Desktop Manager.
2. Download and install the OS of your choice for your device.
3. Delete vendor.xml located in c:\program files\common files\research in motion\apploader.
4. Plug in BB and open Desktop Manager.

However, when you open Desktop Manager you get no prompt to update. When you open Application Loader your new OS is not listed!!

This has been plaguing people for the last few months. I've never experienced the issue because of the way I've loaded Desktop Manager but Vasco at Horizon did and he and I together figured this out. I believe we've found the issue and will explain how to fix here.

The problem lies in the new Desktop
Manager's automatic "Check for Updates" feature. This feature uses your internet connection to look for OS updates for your device from your carrier. When it does this it loads a second virtual vendor.xml file in the temp folder on your computer (Vista users look in C:\Users\Username\appdata\virtualstore.) So, even after you delete the normal one that is installed with the OS and Desktop Manager, the automatic "check for updates" feature loads another one based on the brand of device you've got plugged into the PC.

To prevent this from happening this you need to install Desktop Manager WITHOUT this Automatic Update service. Below are the steps to remove this service.

1. Go to Control Panel >Add/Remove Programs.
2. Click on "BlackBerry Desktop Software" and select "Change/Remove."
3. When prompted, hit "Next" and then you should get options for Modify, Repair, or Remove. Choose "Modify."
4. On DM 4.7 and higher, in the list of installed items, you should see "BlackBerry Automatic Update." Click the icon next to it and change it to "This feature will not be available." That should put an "X" next to "BlackBerry Automatic Update." If you are using DM 4.6 or lower and don't see this option in this list then just continue with the install and the installation will ask you a few screens later. A screen will be shown where you will be asked to check the boxes for:

A) "Start BlackBerry Desktop Manager automatically each time the computer starts."
B) "Create a shortcut for BlackBerry Desktop Manager on the Windows Desktop."
C) "Check for software updates."

Be sure number 3, "Check for software updates," is NOT checked.

5. Finish the installation.

(Note: If you're doing a fresh install of Desktop Manager, be sure and choose the "Custom" install button so that you get the prompt for what features you want installed. Otherwise all the features will be installed as normal and you'll likely run into this issue.)

Once that is complete, you'll need to go back and search your computer for vendor.xml. When you do the search, make sure you click on "Advanced Options" and make sure that you search Hidden files and folders. This is important as some operating systems create a virtual store in the temp folder that this vendor.xml file is located in. You will not find this particular vendor.xml if you don't have hidden files/folders selected for search. Once the hidden vendor.xml is deleted it won't come back if you've reinstalled Desktop Manager without the Automatic Update Feature enabled.

Now, make sure your OS is installed (you may need to install the OS again, if you actually remove Desktop Manager and then reinstall Desktop Manager again. Make sure that you delete the normal vendor.xml file LAST before updating the device.

Tip of the day: Desktop Manager is not even required for doing an OS upgrade. In the same folder as the vendor.xml file is a file called Loader.exe. Running that will run apploader without Desktop Manager. It still makes the full backup and restore, but without all the DM stuff running in the background. I use this for all my OS upgrades. Then later I connect to DM to start my BES activation.

Here's my short-version OS install guide if anyone needs a refresher...

- (Optional) Uninstall any previous OS from your PC.
Download OS to PC. Use Internet Explorer to do so, not Firefox or Chrome. (For leaked versions, the browser is irrelevant though.)
- *If 100% certain you've previously used FF or Chrome on same PC to DL an OS successfully, feel free to use FF or Chrome again.
- Following successful DL, run OS file to install OS on PC.
- On BB, go to BBM Options, scroll down to Backup section. Ensure Remote Backup is enabled AND also conduct a Local Backup to media card.
- Go through any 3rd party apps that have option to save settings to media card, and conduct Backup to media card from menu within each of these apps. (Examples: all Bellshare apps such as BerryBuzz & BerryWeather; QuickLaunch; Shao's apps such as Wallpaper Changer & SixTools; Show Me The Images; etc).
- Connect BB to PC. Open DM and backup device. Close DM.
- (Optional) Use desktop program like BBSAK or BBMCP to backup 3rd party apps.

- On PC, navigate to
•64-bit: Computer/C:/Program Files (x86)/Common Files/Research In Motion/AppLoader and delete file therein called Vendor.
•32-bit: Computer/C:/Program Files/Common Files/Research In Motion/AppLoader and delete file therein called Vendor.

- (Optional/Recommended) Run BB Boss v2.2 or Shrink-A-OS/BBH+ Tool.
- In same AppLoader file where you deleted Vendor, double-click on Loader to initiate OS upgrade. Follow onscreen instructions.
- After OS install is complete, perform several physical battery pulls over first 1-2 days for OS to "settle in." Perform first batt pull very soon after OS is installed.