i dont wanna hear " use windows 10 " or "install linux". I want to use Windows 8.1 rt.

Today is the day that my Surface RT doesn't have to sit in its dead-as-nails life anymore! The charger should arrive today and I am excited.

Update 2 and TLDR: The solution that fixed error 8007000e on my Windows RT 8.1 Surface 1 is at the bottom of the post. Follow the instructions carefully.

Now some editorializing, feel free to skip to the instructions:

I’m always irritated when I clean-install Windows and have to figure out why Windows Update is broken this time. This is a problem for Windows 7 and Windows RT 8.1, not to mention long-forgotten Vista.

Of these, RT may be the worst. Windows RT on Surface 1 is locked down hard. It can only install some Windows Store apps, and nothing from the internet. It can’t even go onto the Microsoft Update Catalog website because of… processor incompatibility? The 32-bit ARM processor is naturally incompatible with most software you’re accustomed to using, including Chrome or Firefox (not even Edge). Microsoft also has no intention of releasing a 32-bit ARM version of Windows 10 (which a clean install often breaks locked-down OEM OSs), so support will probably run out next year.

There’s hubbub about x86 and x64 emulation for ARM-based Windows. Don’t get your hopes up, that’s all for the ARM64 Windows 10 version that isn’t public yet.

If I can fix the error, my Surface 1 tablet ought to meet my current needs as a study tablet if. Windows 8.1 turns out to be a pretty competent tablet OS, I really like the split-screen feature. I prefer Win10, though, because immersive apps irritate me. Win RT 8.1 came with Office RT 2013, and it does a lot of the regular things I need it to, but I’m disappointment that it can’t do more. With no 32-bit ARM versions of Zoom or Teams, the end-of-usability for this study tablet is within sight.

Update: A rando posted a comment on a Microsoft help forum with the direct links for the files to fix Win RT’s update problem from clean install, just a few separate standalone updates. It fixed my update problem.

It’s always randos that have the answers, never Microsft. Microsoft’s “solution” for RT’s broken Windows Update is to go onto your Windows Update app and download the latest updates. That is their unironic solution, even labeling it a “workaround”! Microsoft “helpfully” insists that these updates can only be downloaded via the Microsoft Update app.

I’ll share the update links here when I re-find them. Reddit seems to be the Google-able repository for fixit info, so think of this as an archival post. With the updates, your Windows Update should work correctly and your tablet can update, until support ends.

Update 2: Here’s the useful comment, posted by OvidioPR on 10 April 2020 and edited for Reddit:

I downloaded all of the following packages and installed them in this order, turning wifi off before each install:

1. Download and install update KB-2919442: http://download.windowsupdate.com/c/msdownload/update/software/crup/2014/02/windows8.1-kb2919442-arm_506ed7113697c597c2859d295d562fa4311834ec.msu

2. Download and install update KB-2932046:http://download.windowsupdate.com/c/msdownload/update/software/crup/2014/02/windows8.1-kb2932046-arm_fe6acf558880d127aef1a759a8c2539afc67b5fb.msu

3. Download and install update KB-2919355: http://download.windowsupdate.com/c/msdownload/update/software/crup/2014/02/windows8.1-kb2919355-arm_a6119d3e5ddd1a233a09dd79d91067de7b826f85.msu

4. Reboot when asked to do it

5. Download and install update KB-2938439: http://download.windowsupdate.com/d/msdownload/update/software/crup/2014/03/windows8.1-kb2938439-arm_4a536d9ddcd9993cbe4fbc309ebd50a18d65f954.msu

6. Reboot again

7. Download and install update KB-2937592: http://download.windowsupdate.com/c/msdownload/update/software/crup/2014/02/windows8.1-kb2937592-arm_860c83a0cccc0519111f57a679ae9f9d071315e5.msu

8. Reboot again

9. Download and install update KB-3173424: http://download.windowsupdate.com/d/msdownload/update/software/crup/2016/06/windows8.1-kb3173424-arm_e11b6837c0586d2b8d887f3bc33b3372fe83c8c7.msu

10. Download and install update KB-3172614: http://download.windowsupdate.com/c/msdownload/update/software/updt/2016/07/windows8.1-kb3172614-arm_3d918d6c809bf6f57c8fcefa5db5c739e1754426.msu

11. Reboot again

12. Turn on wifi and search for updates.

This worked perfectly for me, be very patient as some of these updates take several minutes to install.

I have an ASUS vivo tab RT running windows RT. Does anyone know if there is an app or other configuration that will enable me to use my tablet as a second screen for my laptop?

I know there are apps for ipad and android (air display, maxivista) this would be great for windows 8/RT

Hey everyone — I’m not sure if I’m allowed to post this here, and sorry if I’m not.

I just wanted to say I uploaded a video where I recreated the Surface RT ad in 2026 to celebrate the return of NVIDIA CPUs on Surface with the announcement of the new RTX Spark.

It was made on a $0 budget, using whatever I had.

If anyone’s interested, here’s the link: https://youtu.be/CndeWGRtJj8?si=lbL0MdfGJxWF8Gia

so ive got some apps and games (beach buggy racing, asphalt 8. etc) and (kindle, youtubeRT, google search. etc) so i have over 100 apps/games if you want them please comment on this post

Anyone know how to install the old RT version of UC browser on a surface RT? The one on the windows store now only support windows 10. I know it isn't that great but I'm pretty sure it's better than the stock browser.

Hi, I've been looking for a cheap tablet to run Teams on, does the RT have Teams?

Hey guys,

I was hoping your could give me some advice on using the windows RT for school (university).

I already have a computer at home I use for gaming, and all the "heavier" stuff, but carrying it to school is frankly too heavy.

Since the RT is cheap, light, and comes with office I was thinking it'd be perfect for note-taking, internet browsing and maybe watching a movie on long train rides.

Any experience you could share on this?

Thanks a lot!

My cousin is going to buy a new tablet. Her old iPad broke. Now she considers buying an RT but she is not sure.

I asked her what she used her old tablet for and she answered "Taking notes, mail, internet, reading articles and occasionaly gaming.".

Then I asked her which apps are a must and she answered "iAnnotate, youtube, netflix, banking stuff(bank of america), facebook and podcasts.".

So what do you suggest? Will RT provide her everything she needs?

Idk if anyone's interested, but the surface RT when the touch cover is connected makes the typing sound as if you type on the on-screen keyboard to compensate for the missing key travel. However, if you have the type cover there is a way to enable the keypress sound by essentially spoofing it as a touch cover. To get started:

• Open device manager (Win + R -> devmgmt.msc)

• Expand "keyboards" with the little arrow, and right click on Surface Type cover filter device.

• Select update driver, choose select from my computer (second option), then let me choose from a list of drivers, then uncheck show only compatible drivers and choose "surface touch cover filter device" tap next then ok and you're done! Now every keypress on your touch cover should make a sound!

Hi i made an installer app for appx files ( metro apps ) for windows RT 8.1

My git hub page :

https://github.com/WindowsLock/WinRTmetroAppInstaller