Windows RT

Windows RT
Version of the Windows NT operating system
DeveloperMicrosoft
Released to
manufacturing		August 26, 2012; 12 years ago (2012-08-26)[1]
Latest release6.3.9600 Update 3 (Windows RT 8.1 Update 3) with December 8, 2020 or later update rollup / December 8, 2020; 4 years ago (2020-12-08)[2]
PlatformsARMv7
Kernel typeHybrid (Windows NT)
Succeeded by
Official websitewindows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/rt-welcome
Support status
Unsupported

Start date:August 26, 2012

  • Mainstream support ended January 9, 2018
  • Extended support ended January 10, 2023[3]

Windows RT is a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft. It is a version of Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 built for the 32-bit ARM architecture (ARMv7).[4] First unveiled in January 2011 at Consumer Electronics Show, the Windows RT operating system was officially launched on August 26, 2012, with the release of three Windows RT-based devices, including Microsoft's original Surface tablet. Unlike Windows 8, Windows RT is only available as preloaded software on devices specifically designed for the operating system by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Normal apps such as Google Chrome can't be downloaded on Windows RT through any web browser, the only way to get apps on Windows RT is by using the Windows Store, which is an app store for Microsoft Windows, starting from Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 and is also compatible with some version of Windows Server operating systems, such as Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2.

Support status

Mainstream support ended on January 9, 2018. In 2021 Microsoft said it’ll stop providing security updates and support for Windows RT after January 10, 2023 (EOL date).

References

  1. ↑ LeBlanc, Brandon (August 1, 2012). "Windows 8 has reached the RTM milestone". Windows Experience Blog. Microsoft.
  2. ↑ LeBlanc, Brandon (August 14, 2013). "Mark your calendars for Windows 8.1!". Windows Experience Blog. Microsoft.
  3. ↑ "Microsoft Lifecycle Policy - Windows RT". Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  4. ↑ Gowri, Vivek; Lal Shimpi, Anand (October 25, 2012). "The Windows RT Review". Anandtech.com. Retrieved October 29, 2013.