Surface RT Firmware Updates

Microsoft has started rolling out new firmware updates for Surface RT. The updates are available to all Surface RT devices running Windows RT and Windows RT 8.1.

The new firmware update increases battery life, enhances the Windows RT 8.1 update experience, and enhances the use of Type Cover 2 or Surface Touch Cover 2. The update is listed as an “October 8 release” on the Surface RT Update History page.

Changelog for October 8, 2013 Updates

Below is the complete changelog provided by Microsoft for the new updates.

For Surface RT with Windows RT:

  • UEFI firmware updates.
  • System Aggregator firmware updates.
  • Device driver updates enhance the Windows RT 8.1 update experience and enhance the use of Type Cover 2 or Surface Touch Cover 2.

For Surface RT with Windows 8.1 RT Preview:

  • Migrates all existing Windows RT drivers and firmware to Windows RT 8.1.
  • Multiple updates that take advantage of improvements in Windows RT 8.1 include:
    • Increased battery life.
    • Optimizations for using Type Cover 2 or Surface Touch Cover 2.

Getting the Updates via Windows Update

You can get this new Firmware Update via Windows Updates, as we detailed here:

  1. Swipe from the right or move the mouse cursor to the right edge of the display and select Settings.
    Windows 8: Swipe from the right and select Settings.
  2. Select the Change PC Settings.
    Windows 8: Change PC Settings
  3. Go to the Update and recovery tab. On the Windows Update page, click the Check now button.
    Windows 8: Update and recovery and check now

Surface RT Update History

2015
Mar
10
  • Surface RT Image
    Improve the audio and video experience and enhances system stability.
    View
2014
Aug
12
  • Surface RT Image
    Enhance overall system stability.
    View
Jul
08
  • Surface RT Image
    Enhance system stability in both the active state and the sleep/wake transition state.
    View
Jan
01
  • Surface RT Image
    Improve the experience of using a second-generation Touch and Type Surface Cover on your Surface RT running Windows RT 8.1, including touchpad performance and overall product stability.
    View
2013
Dec
01
  • Surface RT Image
    Optimize available system memory and enhance trackpad sounds for Type Cover 2.
    View
Nov
01
  • Surface RT Image
    Allow the use of Japanese Touch Cover 2 and Type Cover 2.
    View
Oct
08
  • Surface RT Image
    Increase battery life, enhance the Windows RT 8.1 update experience, and enhance the use of Type Cover 2 or Surface Touch Cover 2.
Aug
01
  • Surface RT Image
    Enhance stability, reliability, and the audio experience at low volumes and remove a perceived pulsing in audio volume for some content.
    View
Jul
01
  • Surface RT Image
    Enhance system performance and reliability.
    View
Jun
01
  • Surface RT Image
    Improve the reliability of the devices waking up immediately on the first button press and improve Surface Touch and Type Cover Functionality.
    View
May
01
  • Surface RT Image
    Enhance Surface RT speaker volume, improve system stability, and enable interaction with the Trackpad Settings app for Japanese customers.
    View
Apr
01
  • Surface RT Image
    Resolve certain “Limited” connectivity issues, improve Wi-Fi to handle a wide range of access points, and more.
    View
Mar
01
  • Surface RT Image
    Improve Wi-Fi connectivity, fix volume buttons and muting issues, improve the Touch and Type Cover, and improve the performance of the trackpad.
    View
Feb
01
  • Surface RT Image
    Resolve Wi-Fi connectivity issues and improve performance for all hardware buttons.
    View
Jan
01
  • Surface RT Image
    Enhance the capability for handling firmware updates and resolving specific audio playback issues.
    View
2012
Dec
01
  • Surface RT Image
    Enhance Wi-Fi connectivity and support access point names with non-standard ASCII special characters.
    View