Can you upgrade to another os from RT on Surface?

Unfortunately I don't believe this will ever be possible. Windows RT is a special kind of Windows. Its been built to run on the special kind of processor that is in the Surface and other mobile devices (ARM processors). Windows Pro however, is built to run on standard computer processors (x86 and x64).

With that being said, if you'd like Windows Pro on a surface, the best bet would be to purchase the Surface Pro when it is released. The Surface Pro will contain an x64 processor so it will run the full version of Windows, Windows Pro.

No. The Surface RT comes with Windows RT built in. There's no way to change its operating system to Windows 8.

The Surface RT uses a special chip designed for long battery life, and Windows RT takes advantage of that chip to provide give you many hours of computing time.

Windows 8, by contrast, requires a different chip.

Nope. Sorry.

Btw, my 10 year old laptop runs new programs just fine. Thanks

because your 10 year old laptop runs the same type of processor architecture as any other computer running windows.

your tablet has the same type of processor as found on most mobile phones - it cannot run traditional computer software because that software was not designed for that processor. that's why you have Windows RT, which was made for the processor on your tablet.

not going to happen.

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Barb

Windows Experience MVP

My Blog - http://digitalmediaphile.com/

Please mark as answered if this answers your question

No. Besides the fact that Zune is discontinued, Surface RT and Surface 2 use a different version of Windows and regular programs can't run on RT based computers. You can only download and install programs from the Windows Store.

1. you can't.
2. it runs all the apps that microsoft said it would, meaning: all the apps you can find in the windows store
3. it runs a dedicated charger and so charges in 2 hours instead of 8 hours like other tablets.

As MVP Roach stated: standard Windows won't run on an ARM chip. So, no you can't swap out the OS for standard/normal Win XP/7/8/etc..

Also I am not sure that Windows RT only supports Apps from the App Store because of its use of the ARM Chip. I thought I read that the reason we need to use Store apps only is that MS has written RT to require apps be signed to run on their RT platform --that makes them proprietary. (I think there are other ways to write apps for ARM chips that could be applied to Surface if that were changed.)

If you still are running Win 8.0 RT, you could check on XDA developers' website --there are hacks to allow some .exe (x86) architecture apps to run. Not possible for Win RT 8.1 (yet). Here is a link to their site:  http: //forum.xda-developers. com/windows-8-rt/rd-general

(delete spaces after colon and period).

Your situation is a bit confusing since there is much advertising (pro and con) that notes the RT

OS does not run standard windows apps because of the way MS has structured the implementation.  Maybe trade it in for a pro.. . recoup some/most of your investment., .

I got the Surface RT a few months ago, and i found this problem. I could not run .exe files. Thats a problem for me, concidering i spent €430 on a tablet that lacks apps. Is there any way around this? Can i upgrade my Surface RT to Windows 8? Please let me know

Windows RT only supports Apps from the App Store and because it runs on ARM you would not be able to run Windows 8.x as it is built for the x86 architecture.

Are there specific Apps you are looking for to run on your RT?

Hi,

no that is not possible.

This are two totaly different systems.

Ralf

I am afraid nothing is going to change. MS has provided the essentials, it is down to 3rd party developers to provide their products for RT if they ever will. You are going to have to push them yourself.

As for upgrade, the processor is not going to magically change to support Windows programs for x86. It's a Tegra and that's the way it will stay.

Yes you can, see: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/update-from-preview.

Edit: sorry, if you mean by "real" windows 8/8.1 that you might run X86/x64 programs, then no, but if you mean an upgrade to 8.1, then yes.

You can't upgrade it to a real version of Windows at all.  No matter what you do.

no, it is not possible. they use different processor architectures.

Hello AcostaFamily,

You shouldn't need an anti-virus for the Surface RT, it has an ARM processor, the combined system of RT and the ARM processor shouldn't allow a virus to install. While you can't install 3rd party programs, you can install apps from the Store that can do a lot of different things.

The ARM processor isn't compatible with Windows 8 or other x86 OS, so you cannot upgrade any RT device to Windows 8.

The Surface with Windows 8 Pro will be available February 9th, it has full PC functionality.

hi

I buy in china and asked for windows pro , but unfortunately they don't understand what I mean , now I took my surface to return but they are not accepting to return as I needed the windows pro because of my job ad the must software not working with RT , please help me if there is any helpful way to return it .

thanks

 

I think that your best hope is to somehow convince the store that you originally asked for a Surface with Windows 8 Pro, but by mistake, they sold you a Surface RT instead.  If you had a witness with you to verify your story, I think it would help.

hi

I buy one surface windows rt

1- I can not install any thing software , how can I install ?

2- how can I upgrade my surface windows rt to windows 8 pro or can I buy windows 8 pro and install on it ?

Depending on when and where you bought your Surface RT,  if you are within the time frame of the "no questions asked" refund policy or the return policy of the retail outlet of purchase then you can return it for a refund and upgrade to a Surface Pro that way.

Windows 8 Pro will not run on your Surface RT

Hope this helps!

Sparroah

No, the Surface tablet that you have will only run Windows 8 RT due to the hardware configuration.  The upcoming Surface Pro will be able to run full Windows programs.

No, sorry you can't. Windows 8 Pro runs on an Intel processor and Surface RT has an ARM processor. You could return it and purchase a Surface with Windows 8 Pro when it becomes available.

Surface Pro specs:

http://www.microsoft.com/Surface/en-US/surface-with-windows-8-pro/specifications

Kate

A subject that has been done to death but it is not possible to upgrade Windows RT to Windows 8 of any version.

The Surface has an ARM processor and Windows RT has been specifically written to run on that processor. Windows 8 is intended for the x86 platform and cannot be run on the current Surface.

The new Surface Pro has the required processor and will be supplied with Windows 8.

This stated on the Surface Product web page, No plug-ins or ActiveX Controllers are supported and only applications sold/downloaded from the Store are available and supported.

Windows 8 only runs on x86 architecture and will not run on the ARM Platform. I personally remote into a Windows 8 Enterprise Desktop to overcome any limitations of the RT Platform.

BTW - Bill Gates left his day to day duties at Microsoft in 2006 and works fulltime at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Steven Sinofsky ( who left MS in November) was the executive who is responsible for Windows RT and Windows 8.

Windows 8 and Windows RT are not cross compatible and are built on a completely different core code. Some updates for 8 may not be applicable to RT and vice versa. This does mean that additional features may also not be available on both platforms, there are already differences as RT gets Office 8 does not.

There is no 3G/GSM capability in Surface anyway so it will not support 4G

Hi David_0!

  The SurfaceRT doesn't run from the same type of processor as your desktop computer, or laptop. it uses the ARM processor, which is the same type of chip as cellphones, or most other models of tablet. Its power efficient, and gives you long battery life, and a lighter device. Software has to be developed specifically for the arm processor or ported over by developers, incuding Operating Systems which is why it must be downloaded from the Store App.

  Windows RT is the distro of Windows that is specialized for the ARM chip, and it gives you smooth, efficient performance, and also gives you great battery life. Windows 8 simply is ported for the ARM chipset, so it wont be able to run on the Surface RT. Although there are constantly being apps released for it, and several workarounds for the things you need.

What are you most interested in using your surface for?

Hello Martinhavens,

No, the Surface with Windows RT, runs on the ARM processor, where as the Surface with Windows 8 Pro runs on an Intel processor like a Desktop or Laptop would.

No this is not possible since Windows RT is built for ARM processors and Windows 8 is built for Intel processors. The benefit of ARM is thinner devices with better battery life. The benefit of Intel is that all old Windows 7/Vista/XP applications can be run. So this really comes down to what you need.

Hope this helps.

I have an Windows RT surface tablet and was wondering if the software can be updated to Windows 8 Pro when it I released?

When is windows 8 pro going to be released?

No,You can not update or upgrade to Windows 8 Pro.The ARM processor of Windows RT is not designed to support that.

Windows 8 Pro may be released after three months- most probably sometime in January,2013

Windows RT is Windows for ARM processors. Which means better battery life but no working legacy desktop apps.

Windows 8 is Windows for Intel processors. This means worse battery life but you can run all old desktop apps from old Windows versions.

Since they are two different platorms, there are no way to migrate between them. So the answer to your question is: no, Windows RT can't be upgraded to Windows 8.

Note, however, that Windows 8 is not a more "full" Windows version than Windows RT. They are just versions for different hardware.

Hope this helps!