Free the Windows RT desktop
"Due to the different architecture of ARM-based devices compared to x86 devices, Windows RT has software compatibility limitations. Although the operating system still provides the traditional Windows desktop environment alongside Windows 8's touch-oriented user interface, the only desktop applications officially supported by Windows RT are those that come with the operating system itself; such as File Explorer, Internet Explorer, and Office RT. .... Developers cannot port desktop applications to run on Windows RT, since Microsoft developers felt that they would not be properly optimized for the platform." (source: wikipedia)
With the release of Visual Studio 2013, Microsoft has enabled developers to easily port desktop applications to the Windows RT platform. However, the signing restrictions on the platform do not allow developers to distribute or use these ported applications.
We are petitioning for Microsoft to provide a mechanism to enable the execution of non-Microsoft signed desktop applications. This will open up the platform and enable 3rd party application developers and hobbyists to write Windows desktop software for the platform. Moreover, this will extend the life, value, and usefulness of all existing Windows RT & RT8.1 tablets that have been released in the last 2+ years.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
May 31, 2015
Reached 100 supporters
February 3, 2015
282 Comments
With Microsoft stating that they are discontinuing the RT platform, Allowing third parties and hobbyists to develop for the platform would prolong the life for those of us that have these devices!
life-long Microsoft product user. Please grant the request. My Surface RT is simply the best tablet at an affordable price but it is limited by the lack of development. Thi is easily a tablet I can use for ten years without an expensive upgrade.
While this policy made sense when RT was new and confusing, there is no longer a reason to lock down the desktop. It also removes our ability to recompile all the available open-source software to improve the productivity of these Windows machines.
Please open up Windows RT. Its great that it has desktop office, but would be 100% better If I could run apps that I created for work experiment. Please open it up.
i enjoy my surface rt and find it easy to use. but it's lack of apps and restrictions due to this make it so that it cannot, and will not, replace my laptop. as time goes by, this gap is becoming increasingly evident and making me regret purchasing this device.
Freischalten für alles
I feel conned by MS. It was less than 2 years after I purchased a surface rt it was dead. I don't think I'll every purchase a MS product again
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Free the Windows RT desktop
"Due to the different architecture of ARM-based devices compared to x86 devices, Windows RT has software compatibility limitations. Although the operating system still provides the traditional Windows desktop environment alongside Windows 8's touch-oriented user interface, the only desktop applications officially supported by Windows RT are those that come with the operating system itself; such as File Explorer, Internet Explorer, and Office RT. .... Developers cannot port desktop applications to run on Windows RT, since Microsoft developers felt that they would not be properly optimized for the platform." (source: wikipedia)
With the release of Visual Studio 2013, Microsoft has enabled developers to easily port desktop applications to the Windows RT platform. However, the signing restrictions on the platform do not allow developers to distribute or use these ported applications.
We are petitioning for Microsoft to provide a mechanism to enable the execution of non-Microsoft signed desktop applications. This will open up the platform and enable 3rd party application developers and hobbyists to write Windows desktop software for the platform. Moreover, this will extend the life, value, and usefulness of all existing Windows RT & RT8.1 tablets that have been released in the last 2+ years.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
May 31, 2015
Reached 100 supporters
February 3, 2015
282 Comments
Since Microsoft has decided to effectively abandon the RT platform, by opting not to provide an upgrade path to windows 10, the responsible thing for them to do is to unlock the platform that some developers can revitalize the platform on their own.
With Microsoft stating that they are discontinuing the RT platform, Allowing third parties and hobbyists to develop for the platform would prolong the life for those of us that have these devices!
life-long Microsoft product user. Please grant the request. My Surface RT is simply the best tablet at an affordable price but it is limited by the lack of development. Thi is easily a tablet I can use for ten years without an expensive upgrade.
While this policy made sense when RT was new and confusing, there is no longer a reason to lock down the desktop. It also removes our ability to recompile all the available open-source software to improve the productivity of these Windows machines.
Please open up Windows RT. Its great that it has desktop office, but would be 100% better If I could run apps that I created for work experiment. Please open it up.
i enjoy my surface rt and find it easy to use. but it's lack of apps and restrictions due to this make it so that it cannot, and will not, replace my laptop. as time goes by, this gap is becoming increasingly evident and making me regret purchasing this device.
Freischalten für alles
I feel conned by MS. It was less than 2 years after I purchased a surface rt it was dead. I don't think I'll every purchase a MS product again
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Since Microsoft has decided to effectively abandon the RT platform, by opting not to provide an upgrade path to windows 10, the responsible thing for them to do is to unlock the platform that some developers can revitalize the platform on their own.