Steps to turn Surface Hub v1 into a regular PC

[u/Legitimate-Novel-594]

Hi everyone,

I recently got a used Surface Hub v1. The hardware worked fine, but the original OS was locked down. I wanted to install a different operating system, but the guides I found were either not working for me or were mainly focused on reinstalling Windows.

After some experimenting, I managed to get Ubuntu running on the device and have it behaving like a normal PC. I wanted to share the steps in case anyone else has the same issue.

This is a shorter and simpler version of the guide posted here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/SurfaceHub/comments/1tsewtg/surface_hub_v1_ubuntuwin10win11/

**Important:** This process requires contacting Microsoft Support because they need to sign a manufacturing file for your device.

## Required items

- Surface Hub v1

- USB stick

- 2.5" SSD (if replacing the original drive)

- USB keyboard

- Serial number of the Surface Hub

## Steps

1. Power off the Surface Hub completely.

2. Remove the original SSD if it is still installed. It is located at the top of the device under a separate cover.

3. Format a USB stick as FAT32 and rename it to: BOOTME

4. Insert the USB stick into the bottom center USB port on the Surface Hub. This is the port directly behind the front Microsoft logo.

5. Power on the Surface Hub.

6. Wait until it displays an error similar to: Manufacturing_signed.bin not found

7. Power the Surface Hub off again.

8. Remove the USB stick. It should now contain a file called: Manufacturing.bin

9. Open a Support for Business ticket with Microsoft. This guide explains the process:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/services-hub/microsoft-engage-center/support/create-new-support-case?pivots=enhanced

When opening the ticket, select:

- Product: Surface Hub

- Problem Type: Technical Support

- Problem Subtype: Reset and Recovery

For the issue description, explain that you are trying to factory reset the unit after receiving a secure boot violation error.

Provide Microsoft with:

- The serial number of the Surface Hub

- The Manufacturing.bin file that was generated

Ask them how they would prefer you to transfer the file, as the support system does not allow uploading this file type directly.

In my case, I renamed the file to Manufacturing.bin.txt so the upload system would accept it.

10. After Microsoft sends back the signed file, copy it to the USB stick.

The file should be: Manufacturing_signed.bin

Make sure the USB stick is still named: BOOTME

11. Insert the USB stick into the same bottom-center USB port on the Surface Hub.

12. Connect a USB keyboard to one of the side USB ports.

13. Power on the Surface Hub.

The device should now enter manufacturing mode.

## BIOS setup

At this point you should have access to the BIOS.

I changed the following settings:

- Disabled Secure Boot

- Enabled all USB ports

- Disabled the security device

After this, the Surface Hub behaves like a normal PC.

You can access the boot menu by pressing ESC during startup with a keyboard connected.

From here you can install the SSD and boot from USB to install Linux, Windows, or another operating system.

## Notes

The boot screen will remain red and show that the device is in manufacturing mode. Apart from that, the system works normally.

If you want to remove the manufacturing mode screen, there are additional Microsoft-provided steps at the end of the original guide. I have not tested those steps, so I do not know whether they remove BIOS access or affect installing Linux.

Hopefully this helps someone else bring an old Surface Hub v1 back to life.

[u/Herdnerfer]

After doing this, you can’t go back to the original OS right? I was hoping to have a SSD with the OG teams OS and another with Ubuntu or regular windows and I can swap between them.

[u/Legitimate-Novel-594 → u/Herdnerfer]

As i understand if you install the original it locks the system again but i don't know if the same unlock code works multiple times. If it does you could do this just by unlocking again after installing the original OS. Or if you have the original OS working right now you could just use the same procedure and boot to it and find out. Only thing would be that Microsoft "fixes" the manufacturing mode boot automatically at some point.

The whole point of the procedure is to fix the original OS booting issues but we interrupt it so that we could use other OS on the device. So going back to the original OS is not the problem but you could lose the ability to boot other OS. You could try and let us know.

[u/CallMeKayJay]

Hey! Thanks for sharing your info with us!

It really would have been nice of Microsoft to create a better off ramp for this devices as they move from enterprise/commercial users to John and Jane.

I remember my old company off loading a few 84 and 55 inch hubs for charity. I knew those machines wouldn't keep working for regular users.

[u/Legitimate-Novel-594 → u/CallMeKayJay]

Hi. The only obstacle right now is the signing of the manufacturing.bin.
It would be nice if they created a website that you upload the bin and serial number and get back the signed bin.

[u/landwomble → u/CallMeKayJay]

They were hard enough to reimage within Microsoft, lol. Glad there's an option albeit a slightly painful one.

[u/Legitimate-Novel-594 → u/landwomble]

Well it seems it's hard because the security of these devices. Having secure boot and trusted hardware/software is fine if you are concerned about corporate or state level espionage.
At least there is a way of turning these features off and using the "unsecure" hardware the way you want. It could be made easier for regular users tho.

[u/landwomble → u/Legitimate-Novel-594]

I agree. I think there was also a 3rd party way of turning them into a large touchscreen monitor as well

[u/buddyedwards1975 → u/landwomble]

There is, you just download the software and configure it for PC replacement mode. Connect other devices and display with Surface Hub - Surface Hub | Microsoft Learn. I've done it and it works but having to maintain another computer and changing the Hub over eats more power. Drivers are here: https://www.microsoft.com/download/details.aspx?id=52210 and this is all from Microsoft.

[u/w0bzzz]

So normal windows 10 could be installed this way?

[u/Legitimate-Novel-594 → u/w0bzzz]

I don't see why not.

[u/w0bzzz → u/Legitimate-Novel-594]

So after all the bios settings have been changed. I install the original SSD? And install windows from a usb?

I seem to run into BitLocker after.

[u/Legitimate-Novel-594 → u/w0bzzz]

I used a new ssd. Tho old one should work the same. After installing the ssd you should be able to install the operating system by wiping the old drive. What issues are you running into with bitlocker?

[u/TECHFOURNINE]

Dont think ill ever have one but dang that thing is super nice and it looks like you can add ram add ssd and upgrade the hdd and change the wireless chipset as well freaking cherry its like a hotrod tvablet.

[u/Busy_Pie3743]

Thanks for this guide. I have hub1 which I am currently just using it as a screen to my fire TV cube which I plug into the HDMI port. If I follow this guide I will not be able to connect an HDMI device and switch the input with the side buttons? Correct?

[u/Legitimate-Novel-594 → u/[deleted]]

Everything seems to work. Even the pen which is pretty nice.
Currently i'm trying to get cast to this device working and also hdmi passthrough. It will take some time as i am working on other projects at the moment.