DFT and Orange Team together create HTC HD2 ROM which can be updated normally by Microsoft

The Dark Forces Team and Orange Team have combined their forces and achieved the seemingly impossible – they have created a ROM for the HTC HD2 which can be updated normally like any other Windows Phone 7 handset over the Zune desktop client.

Beyond this the ROM also retains Root and ChevronWP7 status, meaning users are both free to edit the registry and side-load applications.

Lastly the ROM also allows custom packages to be side-loaded via Zune, making for the ultimate custom ROM machine.

The teams report this hack could be a model for all other Windows Phone 7 handsets, throwing the door open for wide customization without the fear of losing future updates from Microsoft

At present the process of updating the HTC HD2 is long, complicated and tedious, and is not recommended for casual users. It will also lock your SD card to Windows Phone 7, which can only be undone by a Nokia N97, which would prevent dual booting with Android for example.  The teams are working on a simpler method, and suggest casual users hang tight for this.

Braver users can read more in this xda-developers thead.

Thanks Milad for the tip.