Microsoft Surface 2, installing apps and programs outside of the store

The Surface 2 run Windows RT (Windows on ARM) and can install apps from the Windows App Store. It also includes Office 2013 Home and Student (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook).

It would not be able to install applications like Visual Studio or other Win32 x86 Desktop Applications.

If you primary reason for choosing the Surface 2 is a full x86 experience you will be disappointed. If you want to use Office, Browse the Web, Email and Apps on a All Day Battery Life Machine that is more secure than x86 Windows then the Surface 2 will be great.

The Surface Pro 2 is a full laptop in Tablet Form. There are ATOM CPU Tablets that are less expensive (read plastic) then the Surface 2, like the ASUS T100, Dell Venue Pro 8 or 11, Acer Iconia W4, Toshiba Encore, ThinkPad 8, Lenovo MIIX 3 or 10. All of these are backwards compatible but I don't think they have enough horsepower to run Visual Studio.

The Surface 2 is a RT class tablet just like the Surface RT.  It cannot install regular Windows software.  It can only install and run apps available through the Store.

That is also why you got a free copy of Microsoft Office Home & Student + Outlook because they are also a recompiled version to only run on RT class tablets.

Your tablet has an ARM processor that will not run regular x86 programs (standard DOS and Windows programs).

If you have a Surface RT or a Surface 2 (not a pro device) then it runs Windows RT. Although Windows 8.1RT looks and acts a lot like regular Windows (and lets admit it's hard to point out distinguishing features) it is very limited in the sense that it doesn't support ANY third party software like iTunes or say antivirus programs or your download copy of Call of Duty etc etc. There are a handful of apps in Windows Store that make some of these limitations slightly easier to deal with like VLC Player is a really great music library and video player, Torrex Torrent client etc etc but sifting through the rubbish apps is a different story.

why I cannot download from the internet and only through the app store which has much of nothing useful for what I need.

What do you need?  And do you have a Desktop that you could connect to?  In that case you might be able to use Remote Desktop Connection on the RT.  I'm doing that as an alternative to Mouse without borders and am amazed at how much functionality there is this way.  Definitely more flexible than Mouse without borders.  The biggest downside is that while you have a Remote Desktop Connection you can't physically use the machine you are connecting to.  In my case that means I lose the better pen and touch support in my Surface 2 Pro (with W10 CU).  Unfortunately, the RT cannot host Remote Desktop, just act as a client.  But at least I don't have to swap mouse and keyboard ownership or put up with the fiddle of using MWB.

FYI

Robert Aldwinckle

The only thing you can install are apps from the store.

On Mon, 4 Jan 2016 01:06:57 +0000, DorianDunlap wrote:

>>Is there a way I can either fix my Surface pro or to download iTunes?

Surface 2 has the RT version of Windows and regular programs like iTunes are not

compatible. There is nothing that can be done to change this. You mention

Surface Pro, but posted in Surface 2.

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On Mon, 26 Oct 2015 07:02:39 +0000, Aj Parker_91 wrote:

>>What about surface pro 2? Would I be able to download anything other then from the Windows App Store

The Pro line and the Surface 3 non pro are regular Windows computers and can

download like any other computer.

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Please mark as answered if this answers your question

No. You can only download Windows Store Apps on Surface RT/Surface 2.

Of course you can't. If you have a surface 2, you can only install apps from the store. It is not a normal computer.

I have a Surface 2 and am trying to download my kids LeapFrog program. It is called Connect and I can hit save but then a ribbon appears across the screen saying "This App can't run on your PC". Does that mean I can not download any programs? On everything I have tried to download this has happened. I find it very upsetting and this is supposed to help replace a laptop. Please let me now if there is some way to accomplish this task.

Thanks

It is the Surface PRO 3 that is advertised to replace a laptop. Your Surface 2  can only download apps from the Windows Store. So, no, you cannot download and install Connect.

My old programs specifically Adobe digital editions & everyday jigsaw by kraisoft won't install. If this is a full tablet I should be able to get these programs. I bought this tablet because it is windows based. Why won't these work?

RT tablets can only run programs from the Windows Store. Windows RT is compiled specifically for ARM based tablets like the Surface 2. You need a Surface PRO 2 or 3.

On Tue, 16 Dec 2014 16:52:12 +0000, MikeAston wrote:

>>When will a version of  "Words with Friends" be available for download to my Surface 2...

That is up to the developer, Zynga. If they want to produce a Windows Store

version. They have one for Windows Phone but not for tablets.

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surface 2? only apps from the store can be installed on it. it is not a general purpose computer.

what sdk do you think you've installed?

Hello PureGOODEvil,

Thanks for asking this question about installing Manga Studio 5 on your Surface 2. I'll do what I can to help you.

Because of the architecture of the Surface RT, the device runs Windows RT 8.1. Windows RT 8.1 can only install apps from the Windows Store, as you have already pointed out. You cannot install other programs.

Let us know if you have any other questions or problems. The Community is here to help.

Best Wishes,

Zack_T

My issue has been resolved. My password needed to be reentered, not sure why as I hadn't changed anything. Thanks for all your suggestions.

Why can't I download anything on my Surface 2? Also is there anyway I can change it.

Your Surface 2 is not a Windows 8 Computer (Intel/AMD Architecture) it is a Windows RT Computer (uses ARM Architecture and runs a mobile OS much akin to iOS and Android but includes a full desktop environment that allows execution of 1st Party Desktop Applications such as Office 2013 RT, Notepad, Calculator).

What does that mean? It is not designed to run legacy 3rd Party Win32 Programs (Desktop Applications such as Firefox or Chrome). The Surface 2 runs Modern UI Apps that are available from the Store.

Google, outside of a Search App has publically stated they have no intentions on supporting Windows on ARM (RT and Windows Phone), and honestly goes out its way to make it difficult. You can consume Google Surfaces via Internet Explorer.

No, you have to pay attention to what you bought.  The Surface 2 is running "Windows RT" and not the real Windows 8.  The processor class is called ARM and it will not install any Windows software.  That is why it is advertised that it can only install software from the Store.  If it is not available from the online repository (Store tile on your desktop taskbar/START screen), you cannot install it.

Apple will not make a version of iTunes for the RT model tablets - at least not now.  They may change their mind in the future if these tablets get more popular.  Xbox Live Music (the Music app on your START screen) will play the .M4A music format which is used for iTunes music.  All you have to do is copy your music onto the tablet and they play perfectly.  You cannot do that with the movies.

If you want movies, Xbox Live Video (Video app) has almost the same catalog of movies and TV shows as iTunes.

I will say that even though the Surface 2 is like a "canned" system and won't run anything, it will not get a virus like a regular Windows computer.  It is running the same processor used in Android tablets and cellular phones.  It uses the RISC instruction set to work where Intel processors use the x86 instruction set.  Now, you can see why installing regular software will not work.

You have a very secure, yet limited machine right there.

The Surface RT and Surface 2 only work with their pre-installed programs and apps from the store. They're designed that way, similar to how the iPad only works with apps from Apple's app store.

If you want the full Windows 8 experience, including the ability to run 3rd party desktop programs, you'll have to get a full Windows 8 tablet. There are lots out there, many less expensive than the Surface. Lesser build quality IMO, but you gain the ability to use desktop programs if you really need it.

The Surface Pro also runs full Windows 8, but costs more, as well.

VLC for Surface RT and Surface 2 (ARM version) is not available yet.  Only the x86 version is available.

To keep up with any updates for VLC, go to http://www.videolan.org.

On a surface 2 you can only install apps from the app store.

The Surface 2 and Surface RT cannot download and install anything.  If you attach something to the tablet and it cannot find a driver for it from the Windows Update repository, then that device will not work at all.

The ARM processor based Surface tablets (Surface RT and Surface 2) cannot execute x86 code which means they cannot run any software on the market.  That includes drivers and disk based software.  These are "canned" systems and that is the reason, also, why you got a free version of Microsoft Office 2013 + Outlook (they are recompiled to run on the RT tablets).

It states on the box that it runs apps from the Store and Microsoft needs to expand on that message to state that it only runs software available through the Store only.  They have a branding problem with the RT tablets because you see Windows 8 on the screen but it is actually Windows 8 RT.

You are getting that error because you are trying to download and install a driver that was compiled for x86 instead of an ARM processor.

Now the answer to your question is, drivers for Windows RT are released by Microsoft using Windows Update or by the manufacturer directly something that probably will not happen because there are requirements that need to be achieved for those to be released and when those requirements are achieved most likely the drivers are released as a Windows Update instead of being released by the manufacturer.

So essentially, if I want a tablet running Windows for coding, I have pretty much zero options?

No, you have several options. Those options just don't include the Surface 2 or any other tablet that runs Windows RT 8.1.

Instead, you need a Windows tablet that runs Windows 8.1, like the Surface Pro 2. You'll find several other Windows tablets that run Windows 8.1. You can install any Windows program on those Windows tablets.

If you want to install traditional Windows programs, you just need to stay away from any tablets that include the initials "RT" in their specs.

Hi,

if you are using a Surface 2 you can only install Apps from the Windows Store. And there are no other browsers available at this to download.

If you want to use classic applications (like other Browsers) you must use a Surface Pro or Pro 2

Ralf

No, it is not compatible with traditional desktop software (it uses an arm cpu, much like that of a phone). Only apps from the windows store will run on it.

To use AutoCAD you will need a tablet with a traditional x86 CPU running windows 8. There are loads to choose from. Pretty much all of them except for the surface 1/2 and the Lumia 2520 which use windows rt.

I bought turbo tax deluxe on amazon as I do every year to download but got a message that there is no app to support it... has anyone else had this happen?

Are you trying to install this on your Surface 2? If so, it will not work as Windows RT can only install applications through the Windows Store. TurboTax is for x86 Computers and the Surface 2 is an ARM based Computer.

The Surface 2 runs Windows RT, you will not be able to run any external programs just like the Surface RT.

The Surface Pro and Pro 2 are full fledged PCs just in tablet form. You should be able to run most x86 software without any problems.

Hope this helps

I'd suggest going to the Microsoft app store and doing a search for the ones you're looking for:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/apps#Cat=t1

Hello 4Lyons,

Thank you for posting in the Microsoft community. I understand that you'd like to install Samsung Kies on your Surface 2. As James comment mentioned it, this is not possible on a Windows RT based device. Only apps from the Windows Store can be installed on Surface RT and  Surface 2.

Please let us know if you have further questions.

Cheers,

On Thu, 2 Jan 2014 04:22:47 +0000, MatthewWoods1983 wrote:

|I have a surface 2, can I use chromecast with my device.? And if not, can I

at some point

No, but you CAN use Miracast. Purchase a Miracast adapter (I recommend the

Netgear PTV3000)

See

http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/windowsexperience/archive/2013/11/12/windows-8-1-on-your-big-screen-with-miracast.aspx

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I have a surface 2, can I use chromecast with my device.? And if not, can I at some point?

That's up to Google, they have publicly stated that they have no intention of creating Apps for Windows 8.x/RT. If you want Chromecast Support it would be beneficial to contact Google and request they add support.

There is a thread attempting to organize a request drive with contact info here:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/surf2-surfgetstart/recruiting-new-surface-2-owners-to-request-apps-at/9d0fef8f-c81e-461f-b6fb-38147585b74c

If its NOT from the windows store... you cant...

The RT version of the Surface is ONLY apps from the  windows store.

The surface 2 has the same restrictions as the original surface RT. Unless it is installed through the windows store you can not install it.

You would need the pro version to install and run any game.

You have a Surface 2 which is an ARM processor based machine.  It will only install programs from the Store, nowhere else.

The program you are trying to install is a regular Windows program (x86 based).  If that is a program you need, you needed the Surface Pro/Pro 2 instead.

The Surface and Surface 2 are what are called "RT" tablets which run a recompiled version of Windows 8 and include a recompiled version of Microsoft Office.  Both look and function like the real thing but they are limited to the sphere of its' own world.  The file formats they use are exactly the same but you just cannot run any other program on them except what is available in the Store.

Well the app isn't in the appstore as far as I know, but since Surface 2 supports Flash in the browser you can play it through Internet Explorer no problem! Works fine. :)

If it is not in the Store, no.  You can contact the makers of the program and ask them if they will make it for Windows 8.  They could be working on it already.