Windows RT Update 3 won’t bring universal app support, Microsoft explains

Microsoft prepares to release Update 3 in September for Windows RT, but the company warns that universal Windows apps won't be supported in the platform.

Surface RT with red cover

Microsoft spokesperson confirms that Windows RT Update 3 won’t include support for the new universal Windows apps. With the development of Windows 10, Microsoft is also bringing the concept of universal apps, which simply means that developers can build an app once and target millions of users running Windows 10 on a phone, tablet, desktop computer, or even on Xbox One.

However, the universal apps only work across devices running Windows 10, and even though Windows RT for mobile devices will be getting a new update in September to bring some of the Windows 10 features. The company warns that after installing Update 3, devices such as Surface RT, Surface 2, and the Lumia 2520 won’t have support for the new universal Windows app.

“Surface (RT, Surface 2 and third-party ARM-based Windows PCs and tablets) only run apps built for RT and not Universal Windows Apps. There are lots of apps that work on RT, so they’ll be able to continue to enjoy apps, games, music and movie content.”

“When a customer goes to the Windows Store, they should be able to buy anything they want for their device, not just universal apps. That includes movies, productivity software, games and more. Moving forward, the Windows Store will be the place where people can turn to get software, content and apps they want, in a simple and curated way. Today there are millions of software programs for Windows, and we hope to see as many as possible in the Windows Store.”

As you can see the future of Windows RT is already set, while the company plans to bring some Windows 10 functionality to the ARM-based operating system, it seems that there are no plans to bring more apps to the platform or even future changes beyond Update 3.

Source ZDNet

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.