Can Chromium OS or Chrome be Installed on a Windows Surface RT?
When it comes to installing Chromium OS or Google Chrome on a Windows Surface RT, the answer is a definitive no. Here's a detailed look at the reasons why and some possible workarounds.
Security and Bootloader Restrictions
The Windows Surface RT is equipped with a secure-boot system that is signed by Microsoft. This means that only operating systems that are signed by Microsoft can run on the device. As a result, it is not possible to install Chromium OS or any non-Microsoft OS on the Surface RT.
Furthermore, the bootloader of the Surface RT is designed to only accept valid OS images. Installing a random OS would be considered invalid and would result in the machine not booting properly.
Hardware Support and Drivers
In addition to the bootloader and signing restrictions, the Surface RT does not have readily available board support packages (BSPs) for its hardware. This means that even if a Chromium OS or Chrome build were available, the necessary drivers for the Surface RT's specific hardware would be lacking, rendering the installation impossible.
While all ARM SOCs (System on a Chip) are similar to some degree, they are not fully interchangeable. The specific hardware components in the Surface RT are unique, which is why a generic ARM-based OS would fail to work properly.
Miscellaneous and Alternative Solutions
Using the Microsoft Store
One of the advantages of the Windows Surface RT is the ability to install apps from the Microsoft Store. This functionality is useful for many users, but it has its limitations.
You can install any app from the Microsoft Store, such as Google Chrome. However, due to the platform’s limitations, it is not possible to install any executable (.exe) files. This includes many common software applications that are not available in the Microsoft Store.
Upgrading to a Newer Windows Version
If the goal is to run Chrome or Chromium OS, one potential solution is to upgrade the device to a newer version of Windows that supports x86 applications. Microsoft is currently working on a version of Windows that can run x86 applications natively on ARM hardware. However, this feature is not yet available for the Surface RT.
Another alternative is to upgrade the Windows RT device to Windows 8. This would allow the installation of Chrome, but it would be an older and less supported version of the operating system. Upgrading to Windows 8 would require purchasing a new license and maintaining activation.
Future Outlook
Unfortunately, the likelihood of seeing Chromium OS or Chrome on a Windows Surface RT is very low. The Windows RT platform is designed to run Windows 8.x, and any software must be compiled for this specific target. The development of a version of Chrome compatible with Windows 8.x is not a priority for Google, especially given that they do not create Windows Store packages for newer versions of Windows, such as Windows 10.
Moreover, due to the platform's age and the fact that it is considered obsolete, even if Google were to provide a version of Chrome for Windows RT, the performance would likely be suboptimal.
Given these limitations, users who wish to use Chrome or Chromium OS on a Surface RT may need to consider purchasing a new device that supports these operating systems, such as a traditional x86 laptop or a newer ARM device with support for Chrome.
Conclusion
In summary, it is not possible to install Chromium OS or Chrome on a Windows Surface RT due to hardware limitations, security and bootloader restrictions, and the specific design of the platform. Upgrading to a newer version of Windows or purchasing a different device may be necessary to achieve the desired functionality.