Windows RT will get some elements of Windows 10

Microsoft's current plans do not include a full Windows 10 upgrade for Windows RT based systems but they will receive a couple of the more visual aspects of the recently released OS from Microsoft.

Richard Hay, Senior Content Producer

August 10, 2015

2 Min Read
Windows RT will get some elements of Windows 10

Over this past weekend there were several reports about an update to the Windows 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) website that revealed details about the expected Windows RT Update 3 that Gabe Aul verified on Twitter last month.

At that time there were not a lot of details about what that update would contain but it now seems based on this updated FAQ page  it will deliver only a couple of Windows 10 features to those users on Surface RT, Surface 2 and any other straggler Windows RT based devices that made it to market.

The question on the FAQ was a simple one - What about Windows RT?

The answer is not going to make many RT users happy who may have been expecting a full Windows 10 upgrade for their devices:

"If you’re running Windows RT, your device won’t upgrade to Windows 10. We will have an update available in September 2015 that will improve the Start menu and lock screen. Check Windows Update on your Windows RT device to make sure it is ready to download the update when available."

That last line, check Windows Update on your device, led me to brush the dust off my Surface 2 and check for any updates on the device to see if there was something specific relating to this upcoming update to Windows RT.

I did discover KB3075853 was pending as an optional update and it was labeled Windows Update Client for Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2: August 2015. It is listed as containing some improvements to the Windows Update client but there are not any other details.

Whether this update is directly related to Update 3 for Windows RT remains to be seen.

Right now we have no details on how Microsoft will deliver this update. The Windows 8.1 Update was pushed to end users through the Windows Store but other system updates since then have been distributed through Windows Update.

An updated Start Menu and Lock Screen sound like simple cosmetic/visual updates so it is very likely these basic updates to Windows RT will be received over Windows Update.

So are you still using Windows RT? Are these offered updates enough for you or would you prefer to see Windows 10 on these ARM devices running Windows RT?

But, wait...there's probably more so be sure to follow me on Twitter and Google+.

About the Author

Richard Hay

Senior Content Producer, IT Pro Today (Informa Tech)

I served for 29 plus years in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer in November 2011. My work background in the Navy was telecommunications related so my hobby of computers fit well with what I did for the Navy. I consider myself a tech geek and enjoy most things in that arena.

My first website – AnotherWin95.com – came online in 1995. Back then I used GeoCities Web Hosting for it and WindowsObserver.com is the result of the work I have done on that site since 1995.

In January 2010 my community contributions were recognized by Microsoft when I received my first Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award for the Windows Operating System. Since then I have been renewed as a Microsoft MVP each subsequent year since that initial award. I am also a member of the inaugural group of Windows Insider MVPs which began in 2016.

I previously hosted the Observed Tech PODCAST for 10 years and 317 episodes and now host a new podcast called Faith, Tech, and Space. 

I began contributing to Penton Technology websites in January 2015 and in April 2017 I was hired as the Senior Content Producer for Penton Technology which is now Informa Tech. In that role, I contribute to ITPro Today and cover operating systems, enterprise technology, and productivity.

https://twitter.com/winobs

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