Like I stated in the title I have figured out a way to image the Surface RT, this should work for all Windows RT systems (theoretically). I wonder if this means I can image a windows pro OS to a windows RT device?

Is anyone interested in this, am I doing something illegal, do I go against any M$ terms? I ask this because Microsoft has not released the image I speak about below and they make it extremely difficult to do anything to these devices. Also, one of the processes I used completely bypasses the bitlocker and allows you to completely restore a tablet owned by someone else (if someone steals your tablet they can completely clear it out and restore it regardless of bitlocker and any passwords).

I have a full image of Windows RT 8.1 in an "out of box" state, I know this was previously not released by Microsoft.

I know many schools in the U.S. have come to the issue of Microsoft making it "impossible" to image this hardware after they sold it to thousands of schools at an incredible price and then dropped the program.

Basically the whole point of this is that I have the Windows RT 8.1 image and proper files to make it work, this made it possible for me to upgrade 600 tablets from the original Windows RT OS to Windows RT 8.1 within 1 week time with all updates already installed and all apps working perfectly.

If you're a Surface RT owner you know downloading the 8.1 update alone will take hours upon hours even on the fastest internet connections, they also make you complete all updates you have not done, checking for updates alone takes about 20 minutes, downloading and installing could be hours added on! I literally had to leave only ONE tablet downloading the update on a 50up/down fiber connection overnight, my old assistant got about 28 tablets done in 2 months, do the math.

Any one care to chime in?

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.

Is a Surface RT or Surface 2 worth it in modern day? I currently have a Surface pro 2, and im considering getting the RT model to play around with, but is there really any benefits? Especially with the limited/nonexistent desktop apps

I recently bought an Asus Vivotab running Windows RT. I have enjoyed the tablet so far and have a few questions about the operating system.

Why is it that legacy programs will not work with Windows RT? Is it that they are blocked, or is there a fundamental difference in the system that makes them incompatible?

I have a rooted Android phone. As far as I know, windows has allowed the device owners to do whatever they wanted to the software, but with the app store only on Windows RT this seems to no longer be the case. Is it possible that root access could be gained to allow installation of apps that are not on the Windows app store, the ability to change aspects of the system that you can't change normally, or even to allow for dual-booting of linux or android?

I'm the kind of guy that likes to tinker with my tech and I don't know what I can do with this tablet, but I would like to find out.

Audios good, videos good I wish I could mirror and be able to utilize this software I will link in to revamp its life. I know it’s possible, but I don’t have enough coding knowledge to do so. Open to jailbreaking as well. Also have a windows Surface Pro2 with a bad hard drive. Was trying to get it to run on an external hard drive And reboot it with the 8.1 software I have from my first gen RT then try to upgrade it to its latest software. I talked to someone about it and they said that since I didn’t have a bridge port I couldn’t do it. I’m willing to learn and YouTube doesn’t have enough info on revamping these old yet very capable devices.shadow game changer

I would love to be able to use Google chrome and VLC on my tablet

Rework Store is a project for Windows 8 and Windows RT that revives the store. You can install apps, customize your store, and it has live tiles.

Project Discord server:https://discord.gg/fCjGPmbpRp

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?

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

go to this link and click "install on store app" Then in the store click GET or download the appx file

1. Can I reinstall Windows RT from settings?

2. Do I have to activate?

3. Is there a way to update from 8 to 8.1?

4. Can I sideload appx files?

Thx for answering :))

it is going to be over 10 hours to fully upload

so i got a surface RT and it took me so much time to get minecraft on my surface RT. And two days after i got it. SOMEONE!! uploaded a archive of minecraft 1.16 .appx file. if you want minecraft bedrock edition on your surface RT (with windows RT) its impossible but you can get classicube (minecraft clone) download it here https://www.mediafire.com/file/bcw26v79v40chuq/ClassiCubeARM32.zip/file