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Windows App to replace Remote Desktop app for Windows

Hilary_Braun's avatar
Hilary_Braun
Icon for Microsoft rankMicrosoft
Mar 10, 2025

Editor's note 9.26.2025 – The date for blocking connections has moved. Now connections to Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Microsoft Dev Box will be blocked when using the Remote Desktop app starting September 30, 2025. Connections to Remote Desktop Services and remote PC connections will remain unaffected.

Editor's note 3.11.2025 – This blog applies only to the Windows App replacement of the Remote Desktop app downloaded from the Microsoft Store. It does not apply to the Remote Desktop client standalone installer (MSI), which can be downloaded from Download and install the Remote Desktop client for Windows (MSI).

Starting May 27, 2025, the Remote Desktop app for Windows from the Microsoft Store will no longer be supported or available for download and installation. Users must transition to Windows App to ensure continued access to Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Microsoft Dev Box.

Windows App provides several improvements over the Remote Desktop app for Windows, including:

  • Unified access to multiple Windows services, including Cloud PCs and virtual desktops from a single, streamlined interface.
  • Customizable home screens, multimonitor support, and dynamic display resolutions.

Enhanced remote work experiences with features such as device redirection, Microsoft Teams optimizations, and easy account switching. Connections to Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Microsoft Dev Box via the Remote Desktop app from the Microsoft Store will be blocked after May 27, 2025. For all other users, the Remote Desktop app will no longer be supported.

Prepare for the transition

Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Microsoft Dev Box users:

Remote desktop users: Users connecting to remote desktops from the Remote Desktop app should use Remote Desktop Connection until support for this connection type is available in Windows App.

Remote Desktop Services users: Users connecting to Remote Desktop Services from the Remote Desktop app should use RemoteApp and Desktop Connection until support for this connection type is available in Windows App.

Known issues: To understand if there are current feature gaps that may create challenges for migrating to Windows App, review Known issues and limitations of Windows App. Be sure to check this list over time as the feature gaps will be resolved.

Uninstall the Remote Desktop app: For uninstallation methods that align with how you manage your apps, visit our Uninstall your apps and Remove Apps documentation.

IT administrators can help prepare their organizations by encouraging users of Remote Desktop app for Windows to start their transition to Windows App, and by updating internal resources such as user guidance, help desk documentation, and administrative materials, as needed.

Continue the conversation. Find best practices. Bookmark the Windows Tech Community, then follow us @MSWindowsITPro on X and on LinkedIn. Looking for support? Visit Windows on Microsoft Q&A.

Updated Sep 26, 2025
Version 9.0
virtualization
windows 365

118 Comments

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  • techcommunity79's avatar
    techcommunity79
    Copper Contributor
    Jul 08, 2025

    This is awesome Hillary Braun. Good to know that there's still a bunch of major changes of the old tools for the better and future use.  Can't wait to try this out and share it on my Facebook and X account. Too bad I forgot my Linkedin Account.

    This is going to be fun. 

     

    #workeasy #easylife 

  • MARIAB1251's avatar
    MARIAB1251
    Copper Contributor
    Jul 19, 2025

    Hi Hilary_Braun,

    Thanks for sharing this important update about the transition from the Remote Desktop app to the Windows App.The new features like unified access, multimonitor support, and Teams optimizations sound like a significant upgrade for users working with Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Microsoft Dev Box. For those preparing to make the switch, I’d suggest starting with the get started guide you linked and testing Windows App in a pilot environment to identify any potential gaps, especially with the known issues list you mentioned.

    For IT admins, updating help desk documentation early and communicating the May 27, 2025, deadline to users will be key to a smooth transition. If anyone’s looking for additional guidance, the Windows Tech Community and Microsoft Q&A are great places to dive deeper into best practices or troubleshoot specific issues. Excited to see how App enhances the remote work experience.

  • abenedek's avatar
    abenedek
    Copper Contributor
    Jul 22, 2025

    Hi Hilary Braun,
    Thank you for the update.  I switched to Windows App about a month ago.  It seems that a few operating systems are already supported.  Are there any plans to release a version for Linux?  I'm currently using a browser when on Linux, but the experience is not the same as when using the native app on Windows.

  • gwalter83's avatar
    gwalter83
    Copper Contributor
    Sep 29, 2025

    For this app or the previous one, I dont need to worry because I am running on premisses servers, correct? 

  • Les_Brinkworth's avatar
    Les_Brinkworth
    Occasional Reader
    Oct 03, 2025

    I think that the most inappropriate thing in all this is the lack of response from Microsoft.  What happened to communication?

    Come on, you can do better than this...!