Desktop apps on Windows RT devices-maybe

I tried to find out if desktop apps(beyond the included ones) would be allowed on Windows RT devices. The response from an MS employee was:

Currently, the most detailed information about Windows RT is still the Building Windows 8 Blog post "Building Windows for the ARM Processor Architecture". Since the Windows RT devices have not been released, we are not prepared to go into details beyond the blogs yet.

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The post never directly refers to desktop development, and never states that WinRT apps will be the only way to develop on ARM devices.
Hopefully that means there's a chance that Desktop development will be allowed on Windows RT; otherwise, he could have just said no.

Create Desktop apps for Windows RT devices

Hello Phailyoor,

Yeah, while the Windows RT does have the desktop, you cannot install desktop software on it. Only Metro apps can be installed by users.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5757-compare-windows-8-editions.html

I think that that might be a misconception, because MS never describes the ability to develop desktop apps for windows RT devices. There is no MS source that says you cannot create desktop apps for RT devices(please correct me if I'm wrong).

Unfortunately, it's offiicial. I can't find the offical Microsoft page, but Microsoft is not allowing 3rd party desktop application development on Windows RT. Only for Metro apps and what is already included in Windows.

My understanding is the same as Brink's. MS is not going to allow 3rd parties access to the desktop on the RT devices. It's for MS software only.

The fact that they "allow" another Microsoft division to create "desktop" apps (Office) for RT is going to get them sued for anti-trust again if they don't rethink that position

Brink said:

Unfortunately, it's offiicial. I can't find the offical Microsoft page, but Microsoft is not allowing 3rd party desktop application development on Windows RT. Only for Metro apps and what is already included in Windows.

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I do believe you're probably right that there will be no desktop development in RT. I can't really agree with it being "official" unless there is an MS source saying so though.

This isn't "official" as far as MS reporting it, but you can find lots of claims from the 3rd parties that are outraged that they won't be allowed to provide their products for those running on RT versions.

Microsoft Is Pulling A Silly, Apple-Like Move With Windows 8 Tablets - Business Insider

pparks1 said:

This isn't "official" as far as MS reporting it, but you can find lots of claims from the 3rd parties that are outraged that they won't be allowed to provide their products for those running on RT versions. Microsoft Is Pulling A Silly, Apple-Like Move With Windows 8 Tablets - Business Insider

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I'm hoping that this is all FUD. It would be really cool to be able to make desktop programs for Windows RT. I don't expect it, but I can always hope for the beat.

I can guarantee that it's not all fud. Microsoft is not allowing 3rd party desktop software for Windows RT. Only Metro apps.

Yeah, people who expect that RT versions of tablets to perform like a regular Windows computer and support all of their applications will be sorely disappointed. I expect many will buy an RT surface table without even realizing it has an ARM processor and thus would require a new version of their software anyways. Then reality will set in that they are stuck with whatever is provided via the store.

From what I understand from asking around and looking around. WinRT doesn't support any legacy programs (meaning windows 7 and under) or any third party apps. But that doesn't mean we won't have any desktop applications at all. I think developers can develop desktop applications that WinRT devices can support and put it in the Store. This is just what I've heard. Doesn't mean its 100% true. Would be nice if someone can confirm this.

Hello Jyim, and welcome to Eight Forums. It's nice to have folks from Microsoft here.

I can confirm that Windows RT does not support installing any 3rd party desktop apps. It only supports Windows Store apps, and the usual apps (Notepad, Wordpad, Calculator, Paint, etc....) that come included in Windows.

Windows RT: Frequently asked questions - Microsoft Windows Help

Windows RT works exclusively with apps installed from the Windows Store so you never have to worry about whether the software you're installing is compatible.

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