Month: June 2013

About the Device

The Microsoft Surface RT is a interesting device to test with. It has the new Windows 8 interface, but it also still has the traditional desktop interface because not all things can be accomplished on the Windows 8 side. This can make things a little confusing, especially if you are just starting to test with this device. So, here are some instructions to help you get ready to set up and back to testing in no time.

Installing Apps

When we are testing apps that are in development, they are not available in the Windows Store so we will need to manually install them. Usually, you will be given a zip file that contains all the files you need.

1. Download the zip file
2. Go to your Desktop and locate the zip file (Should be in your Downloads folder)
3. You can’t install directly from a zip file so you need to extract the files
4. Long tap/release (or right-click if you have a mouse) to open the context menu
5. Tap on ‘Extract All…”
6. Select the location where you want the files saved to and tap ‘Extract’
7. The extracted folder will open
8. Locate the Windows Powershell Script (should have a Notepad icon)
9. Long tap/release (or right-click if you have a mouse) to open the context menu
10. Tap ‘Run with PowerShell’
11. You’ll see a series of prompts, accept all of them
12. If this is the first time you’ve installed an app, you’ll be required to sign up for a development license. It’s free and it has just a few simple steps
13. After the application is installed, the PowerShell windows will just close. There is no indication that it was installed, but when you go back to your home screen, you should see the app on the far right

Uninstalling apps

1. On the home screen, drag the app icon down just a bit until a check mark shows up just above the icon
2. Release the app and the action menu will open from the bottom of the screen
3. Tap ‘Uninstall’ to remove the app

Error logs

The Surface RT essentially is a PC, so application errors and crashes will be logged in the Event Viewer just as they are on a regular Windows desktop or lap top.

How you access the Event Viewer on the Surface RT is more complicated than on a regular PC since there is no Start button or search function. Here is how you can add a link to the Event Viewer to your desktop:

1. From the Home screen, tap on ‘Desktop’
2. Long tap/release (or right-click if you have a mouse) to open the context menu
3. Select Personalize
4. In the ‘Search Control Panel’, search for Event Viewer
5. Tap on Administrative Tools(or Navigate to Control Panel > System And Security > Administrative Tools)
6. Long tap/release (or right-click if you have a mouse) on Event Viewer to open the context menu
7. Tap Send To > Desktop (create Shortcut)

Now that you have the event viewer open, you can view error messages and save the error files to attach to your bug reports.

1. On the left pane, tap on Windows Logs >> Application
2. On the right pane, tap on ‘Filter Current Log…’
3. Select ‘Error’ and tap ‘OK’
4. Select the error log(s) you want and on the right pane, tap ‘Save Selected Events’
5. Save the events wherever you like and you can attach them to your bug reports

Taking Screenshots

Screenshots are pretty easy to take. You need to press the home button (Windows icon on the front of the Surface) and the down volume button (left side of the Surface) at the same time.
The file will be stored in your Photos > Pictures library > Screenshots folder

Taking Video

A well-created external video is usually the best way to go as I’ve done in all the above videos. Check out this post for some tips to improve your external videos.
I haven’t found a way to create mirrored videos yet, but I’ll update this if I do.