Just recently, we learned about a way to run non-Windows Store apps on a Windows RT device via a circumvention method that requires tinkering with the portion of the RAM that instructs Windows RT on whether it should run unsigned code or signed code.

A jailbreak tool was also recently released which is based upon the circumvention method discovered recently. The jailbreak tool is simply a batch file that does most of the work for you so you can run unsigned apps, but will need to be re-applied every time the system is rebooted.

Now, we are learning that popular desktop apps such as 7Zip, Putty, TightVNC, and Notepad++ have already been “ported” over to work on Windows RT, thanks to this circumvention method. As you can see from the screenshot at the top of this post, 7Zip was recompiled and now works perfectly on Windows RT and you can use the desktop application to its fullest. An attempt was made to bring other popular desktop applications over to Windows RT, but unfortunately its not that easy due to conflicts. Apps such as Putty, Bochs, and Gameboy emulators have all been recompiled to work on Windows RT. Even Windows 95 was seen running on Windows RT. In fact, a Java based torrent client is also confirmed to be working on Windows RT, via this circumvention method.

While these applications may work and still require you to run the app as an administrator and run the jailbreak tool every time the system boots up, Microsoft may issue a patch and remove this ability. This jailbreak attempt was brought to Microsoft’s attention and the company issued a statement not only applauding the jailbreak attempt, but also hinting that this circumvention method will most likely be gone in the near future. This doesn’t mean that the smart XDA developer community will stop figuring out ways to recompile apps and have them work on Windows RT unsigned.

A unofficial desktop ARM store is also in the works, as well as minimal interface “Store” app (see screenshot below) that will house all these recompiled apps that will only work if you run the jailbreak tool. This “Store” is still being developed and has yet to be completed. In fact, the “Store” doesn’t even update in real time due to server restrictions but this will most likely change in the future.

We will not be providing download links to the jailbreak tool nor to these unsigned apps at this time, but you can always visit the XDA Developers forum and check out their hard work.

Credits to Vihar and Netham_45 for the details and their hard work!

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