Windows RT (Surface) USB Ethernet Driver Going Away 12/23

The driver that enables certain USB Ethernet adapters like the Plugable USB2-E100 to work with new Windows RT devices like the Microsoft Surface has been pulled from the chipset manufacturer’s site (ASIX). Microsoft is requesting that it be pulled from all downstream sites also. Microsoft did not intend for this driver to be distributed.

We’ve found that this driver works well and have posted full instructions for getting wired Ethernet working on the Surface. Customer feedback has been positive, but we want to comply with the request, so the driver has to be removed from our website.

On the other hand, we want to support those of you who have already purchased the Plugable adapter and want to use it with their Microsoft Surface (or Lenovo Yoga 11 or Samsung Ativ or Asus VivoTab RT or Dell XPS 10).

Amazon Super Saver shipping can take up to eight business days, so giving an extra day or two for people to install the driver yields a takedown date of December 23, 2012. After that point, Plugable will not be able to distribute this driver to you.

We at Plugable really like our Surface (this post was written on one), and think that supporting third-party device drivers could make it even more useful. We hope that Microsoft and ASIX can find a way to bring back official driver support for the Plugable USB2-E100 Ethernet adapter soon. If you want to get word to Microsoft, the Surface Community Forums are one good way.

In the meantime, we will keep the installation instructions up and continue to do our best to support our customers. Email support@plugable.com anytime, and we’ll do everything we can to help you.

Comments and questions below are welcome. Note we can’t speak for Microsoft, so there are lots of “why” questions and details that we don’t won’t have answers for, sorry.

14 thoughts on “Windows RT (Surface) USB Ethernet Driver Going Away 12/23”

  1. Pingback: Wired Ethernet Connectivity for the Microsoft Surface | Plugable

  2. Aaron Bergen

    I just gave my Mom a Surface as a gift with the USB Ethernet adapter because, like most offices, hers only allows hardwired Ethernet. I spent hours yelling at MS today over this ridiculous policy of theirs, and their response is that “no, you cannot return it because it’s passed the return period, and no, you cannot use it on a corporate network. But, it still works at home, if you have wifi.”

    Can anybody help me out and post the driver in a forum or some other place where I can download it?

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  4. Iman

    Hello,

    thanks for this. I checked out amazon and another ‘plugable’ came up. Just wondered if it will work also with RT surface: Plugable USB 2.0 to 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN Wired Network Adapter as for a few quid more it is faster???
    Regards

    Reply ↓
    1. Bernie ThompsonBernie Thompson Post author

      Thanks for asking! No, the above applies only 10/100 using the ASIX AX88772 chipset. Products using other chipsets like the 10/100/1000 (gigabit) AX88178 never had a driver in the wild for RT, and there’s absolutely no way to get them working on Windows RT.

      Reply ↓
  5. Heather

    Great info. Thanks!

    I just bought a Dell XPS 10. Amazon also has a Plugable USB 3.0 to 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN Network Adapter listed.

    Will the 3.0 work or do I need to buy the USB 2.0 adaptor?

    Reply ↓
    1. Bernie ThompsonBernie Thompson Post author

      Hi Heather, thanks for asking! For Windows RT, USB 3.0 or Gigabit adapters won’t work. The only ones that have a chance are ASIX AX88772 based 10/100 adapters, like the Plugable USB2-E100 mentioned in this post (http://plugable.com/products/usb2-e100/ ) However, Microsoft has pulled the drivers even for these devices, and we don’t have any reports specifically on the Windows RT based Dell XPS 10. So what I’d recommend is to make sure you can find a copy of the driver before buying any adapter (we’re not allow to distribute it). You might want to give Dell a call, as they may have advice specific to their system. Thanks!

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      1. Heather

        Thanks, Bernie!! Wonder why Microsoft is making this so hard for their customers. All of this extra work on our part is frustrating…

        Reply ↓
      2. Heather

        Bernie,
        I downloaded the drivers mentioned earlier in this thread thinking they should work with this Dell XPS 10 since it is running Windows RT. The drivers loaded just fine. I inserted the Plugable you recommended. Both flashing lights displayed on it– green is solid and yellow is flashing.

        Thought for sure it would work, but it just says “Unidentified network” and “Limited” under network connections. Can’t get it to do anything. Any thoughts? Thanks!

        Reply ↓
  6. mikeh75

    Thanks for all the advice in this post. I just received my plugable today and installed the drivers on my RT. Works perfect. Very strange that MS wont allow distribution

    Reply ↓

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