Forum Discussion
Installing and configuring Windows App on Thin Client environments
I am seeking technical guidance on accessing the new Windows App from Thin Client environments, following the end of support for the Microsoft Remote Desktop client (27 March 2026).
Current Environment
- End-user devices: Thin Clients used by customers
- Thin Client OS types in use:
- Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, and/or
- Thin Clients running custom NComputing firmware
- Backend environment:
- Windows Server–based environment hosting a line-of-business application (accessed via RDP / RDS)
Current Access Method
- Users currently connect using the Microsoft Remote Desktop (RDP) client, accessing either:
- A full desktop session, or
- Published RemoteApps via RDS
- This setup is functioning today but is impacted due to Remote Desktop app end of support.
Issue / Challenge
- Microsoft is recommending migration from Remote Desktop app to the Windows App.
- However, during evaluation, we are facing blocking limitations on Thin Client devices, specifically:
- Windows App is not supported / cannot be installed on:
- Windows 10 IoT–based thin clients, and
- Thin clients running custom NComputing firmware
- These devices have:
- Limited hardware resources
- Restricted OS / firmware‑level constraints
- No support for installing modern Store / Windows App packages
- Windows App is not supported / cannot be installed on:
- As a result, users cannot access the environment using Windows App, creating a risk of service disruption.
What We Need :
We request Microsoft’s official technical and product guidance on the following:
- Confirmation
- Is the Windows App officially supported on:
- Windows 10 IoT Enterprise?
- NComputing or other firmware‑based thin clients?
- Is the Windows App officially supported on:
- Alternative Supported Options
- Are there supported alternatives for thin clients after Remote Desktop app end of support:
- Web-based access?
- Legacy RDP components still supported for Windows Server?
- Specific RDS client versions approved for IoT devices?
- Are there supported alternatives for thin clients after Remote Desktop app end of support:
- Best‑Practice Architecture
- Recommended Microsoft‑supported architecture for:
- Thin client environments
- RDS / RemoteApp access
- Scenarios where Windows App installation is not possible
- Recommended Microsoft‑supported architecture for:
- Risk & Compliance Clarification
- Guidance on continued use of RDP clients in end-of-support but still operational mode, and
- Associated security or compliance implications, if temporary continuation is required.
This information is critical to ensure business continuity for customers who cannot upgrade thin client hardware or firmware immediately.
4 Replies
We switched to IGEL and reinstalled IGEL OS on all Thinclients. One of the easiest migrations i‘ve ever did. Great to use with AVD 👌
How did you deal with redirection and not just searching files on a cd-rom but running an exe off the cdrom within the igel os?
We also use AVD and have been migrating to IGEL from Win10 LTSC thinclients. OS12 is great but we have run into a technical limitation with Yubikey where it works when authenticating to the IGEL AVD Client app but cannot passthrough the Yubikey webauthn needed for apps and browsers inside the AVD session. Apparently this is a limitation of the Microsoft API kit provided to 3rd parties like IGEL and they can't implement until MS does the thing to allow it. If our executives decide we need Yubikey everywhere we will have to do another migration away from IGEL as well 🙁
The Windows App is not supported on Windows 10 IoT Enterprise thin clients or firmware‑based devices such as NComputing. You may consider migrating to supported platforms (Windows 11, macOS, iOS, Android, or web browsers) for Windows App access. Thin clients that cannot install modern Store packages must use web‑based access or continue with legacy RDP temporarily, but this carries compliance and security risks after March 27, 2026.
https://www.itpro.com/software/microsoft-remote-desktop-app-end-of-life
