When you debug WinCE, how can I configure Visual Studio to always load the symbol files that it knows about?

Question

I am debugging a WinCE, C ++ program in Visual Studio through an ActiveSync connection. Every time I start a process, it cannot load symbol information. However, if I right-click on the module and click "Load Symbols", it will correctly find information about the symbol without any additional hints from me.

Is there a way I can install Visual Studio for:

• (a) automatically downloads this information symbol or
• (b) automatically interrupt the process in the debugger after loading (similar to what windbg does)?

I guess there is somewhere somewhere, but I have not found it yet.

Update: I forgot to mention in the original question that I am not debugging the instance of Visual Studio that created exe.

Answer 1

Visual Studio should automatically load characters. But it can be disabled. Go to Tools → Options → Debugger → Symbols. There should be a flag that says "Only download characters from these places when they are specifically asked." If this box is checked, clear it.