When Microsoft announced that Windows 10 would be available as a free upgrade for Windows 7 and 8.1 devices, owners of those devices running Windows RT were understandably frustrated by the news that they would not be offered an upgrade path to the new OS. Instead, the company released Windows RT 8.1 Update 3 in September, adding a Windows 10-style Start menu for those devices, but little else.

But one developer is hoping to offer a new lease on life for the very first Windows RT device, Microsoft's own Surface RT tablet. Over on XDA-Developers, 'black_blob' is publishing details of his project to create an unofficial Windows 10 Mobile ROM that can be installed on the first-gen RT device.

Speaking with FraWin.com, the developer said that he has found a 'flaw' in Secure Boot on the tablet, the firmware-level security feature designed to ensure that a device only boots using the trusted software approved by the manufacturer.

While he did not provide further details of the flaw, he said that it will enable the installation of other operating systems, including Windows 10 Mobile. He also noted that the nature of the flaw may also make it possible to install other non-Windows OSes, including Android.

For now, the project is a work-in-progress, although black_blob says that he's already successfully ported Windows Phone 8.1 to the Surface RT. Assuming the Windows 10 Mobile efforts prove successful - subject to further testing - the project aims to create a 'general' ROM for other Windows RT devices too.

Source and lower image: XDA-Developers via FraWin.com

Many thanks to Cassim Ketfi (@NotCassim) from FraWin for the heads-up!