There are several posts on different sites about WM6 Password return to today screen power-on, wake up, or after sleep mode. The problem is as follows: If password protection is enabled then the PDA will automatically return to today screen on each power-on, wake up, or after sleep mode. What ever program you were last working on is automatically minimized into the background. This only happens when Password is enabled. It does not have anything to do with the time out feature on the today screen and it is not an issue caused by conflicting programs. If you are not using the password feature you will not experience this problem. If you are not using WM6 you will not have this problem. It is only a WM6 issue. The only way I have found to stop the problem is to disable the password protection.

Does any one know of registry keys or files that are associated with password protection that can be tweaked to change this "feature"?

What I have tried so far, changing the time out feature on the today screen. In general, all sites mention trying changing this or unchecking the box. It does nothing regarding this problem. I have tried add on programs like BatteryStatusExt.1.04.build_0247.CAB, and psshutxp_eng.vga.xscale.cab, because they have a revert to today screen option and they do not make a difference either. The consensus I have seen on all the posts I have read is that this is a WM6 bug or feature.

I figured out a solution for this annoying problem:

Download HButton here HButton - PocketPC Button Enhancer
You can use any Alt-Tab style switcher. PMH AltTab.exe also works but HButton is the most effective for this purpose because you can program it so that no extra window pops up and you can eliminate the delay time.

In HButton Setup Tasks options set the "First app is" option to "last accessed" and uncheck the other boxes and have 0 delay.

use SKTools or another Notification editor (WakeApp.exe is a good free one, use the events tab in that program) and add a new notification for "wake up" and set the file path to the path for the HButtonTask.lnk (\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\HButton\HButtonTask.lnk)

Problem solved!!

The Today Screen will flash for a second and then you will be back to where you were when you turned off the device.

Just installed WM6.1 and in this release the problem is solved.

It works just as WM5 used to do, except that in WM5 it unlocked immediately after entering the PIN, in WM6 you have to hit "unlock" soft button after entering the PIN - not as convenient since it's smaller than PIN buttons and harder to hit when device is in a leather case. Must've been added to make brutal force attacks more time consuming ? In any case, it's not a biggie and the password utility is now useful, again (and none too soon, either !)

Now, I can set up an encrypted virtual disk using FreeOTFE, have it automatically mount on startup, and rest assured that my data is well protected !