Fresh from starting its release of Windows 10, tech giant Microsoft is also eyeing to update its Windows RT platform by next month.
Microsoft has already stated that users of the RT platform will not be able to fully upgrade to the new Windows 10. However, the micro-update will hopefully bring the Windows RT 8.1 version much closer to the Windows 10 interface, as the targeted September update is expected to add an improved Start Menu and lockscreen functions to Windows RT.
However, Microsoft reiterates that although the update will bring a Windows 10-like atmosphere to the window interface for RT users, the platform itself will still be limited to RT apps. This means that users of the RT platform will not be able to use some Universal Windows apps, particularly those configured to run on Windows 10.
According to a company spokesperson, via Mary Jo Folley of ZDNet, although there are a number of apps to be made available via the new Windows Store, some Universal Windows apps will only be applicable for Windows 10-run cores, which rules out the Windows RT platform.
"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," said the spokesperson for Microsoft.
In addition, although next month's update intends for the RT platform to be much closer to the Windows 10 interface, the design is expected to only be superficial. For example, since the Start Menu for the Windows 10 requires specific APIs that is only available to the platform, it is unlikely that the new RT Start Menu will work the same way. In addition, it is also unlikely that Windows RT will be getting Continuum support – the "tablet mode" that switches between a full-screen and condensed Start Menu – since the feature also requires Windows 10 APIs.
