For those using Continuum and who work from home or in the office, you'll be pleased to know that the Remote Desktop Universal app is not only happening but will be released soon as a Technical Preview. This follows up on the Remote Desktop preview, which is available now for PC (but not mobile).
The news came from the Microsoft Community forums where Jason[MS], a forum moderator, posted the info when asking about Continuum and what users want.
"We've heard a lot of buzz around being able to connect to a remote desktop from Continuum for phone. We are excited to share that the Remote Desktop Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app will be released very soon in Technical Preview."
While there is no firm date yet to reveal, just knowing that the app is coming soon should be enough to keep those who use Windows Phone and Continuum happy.
Currently, there is a preview of the Remote Desktop app but it is only for PC and cannot be used for phone and Continuum. That app can be found below.
Download Microsoft Remote Desktop Preview for Windows 10 PC
Windows Central will, of course, let you know when the mobile and Continuum ready version happens.
Source: Microsoft forums
Reader comments
Microsoft confirms Remote Desktop Universal app with Continuum is coming soon
Well im certainly looking forward to this app! Imagine a phone with a first class rdp-app that connects to corporate network via Direct Access. Now THAT would be seamless and a likely game changer! At least thats what i think and hope. But will it happen? Is it even a possibility? I hope so!
This is the game-changer for me. Other continuum features (eg Word, Edge etc on full size screen) are nice to show to friends who say "woo that's quite cool" and then go to look at something else with their iPhones. A proper HD-sized remote desktop experience is the one thing that would make them say "I want one of those".
The one thing that I used most though, that has now gone is the "Project my Screen". My job entails demonstrating our company's software running on Azure servers (which is where the RDP comes in) but also demonstrating the mobile experience, which I used to do on my Lumia 925 with Win phone 8.1. Weirdly, I can't do that any more and I can't find any way of displaying my phone's screen on the desktop without having to buy additional hardware. All I previously needed was a standard USB cable. Something like iOS "Reflector" would be nice but just making the existing app work with my 950XL would be great for now.
Spoke too soon, "project my desktop" is suddenly working now.
I can't wait!!!! This makes Continuum worth it!
Daniel... there is a reason why you are given the top most priority articles.. you are dedicated... you surf through as many comments as possible... and even try to respond to them.. keep it up... good work buddy.. I think we windows fans are almost close to realising the true integration of desktop and phone with this app.. the surface phone.. I dunno... how will they ever make the battery work if they allow the legacy apps to run... it might be great with build and all... but software wise I think this particular app will make all the difference. From ZDnet mary foley or somebody had mentioned a year ago that windows 10 (aka threshold at that time) will enable three key activities... one of them was task completion... with this universal app model for remote desktop they can easily integrate Cortana and voila ... there you have it... your task might get completed by your pc and the results delivered to your phone... we dont even need to keep the laptop running all the time... they know how to wake up a pc from sleep mode... all you need is not to shut down the pc and the moment it wakes up the net should be available.... that's all... apple and google... we are coming... just hold on for a while :)
but wait... project centennial has to take off before that..... if that does then we will have all the legacy apps on windows 10 mobile already... never mind :P
Don't Microsoft confirm most things as "coming soon"?
I kid, I kid :)
Having RD with Continuum will make the mobile workforce hardware a lot easier to use. Not only can you run the apps from the phone on a desktop screen, but also access company restricted data.
Great, now make it so I dont have to jump through hoops to make it work. If you have to enter port forwarding settings, and dynamic IP addresses, and / or have to use 3rd party DNS accounts to make it work - it will FAIL............make it easy like Teamviewer does - install it on Windows 10 PC, Install it on Windows 10 Phone - Boom, it works. They also need to make it so you can configure your own remote apps for use on Continiuum. Let us pin desktop applications to our start screen that automatically launch remotely - it needs to be more of a seemless way of working - that way people that dont know how to go into their router settings can use it as easilly as us power users.
Isn't the new Team Viewer supported by Continuum?
Cool. To complement this, i hope Citrix updates their Receiver app so it can run as a universal app via Continuum.
I don't think they have money for that, they're almost selling their assets.
I've seen a friend running AnyConnect to do this via Andoid. What is the difference?
Continuum...
Goodbye, work laptop!
Where I work we use RDP a lot to manage servers and applications. We currently use some very naff and unstable thin client laptops which I would be more than happy to throw in a fire. I'll be suggesting this to my boss.
This is wonderful news as my dock is being delivered today. I too expected this to already be supported(especially for workplace env) but glad to know its coming.
This is the single and only request I have, and actually thought the current remote desktop app could do already!! So really pleased to see this when I just ordered my 950xl..
It is actually down to the point where this is the only reason I'm taking the switch back to wp :-)
Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
This is going to be awesome, this will make you realy work like a boss. you can connect any pc. do what ever you want. This app is going to one of the main use of continuum. Just take my word, MS will definate to come of with ads to use continuum with RDC app.
What does this do exactly
It's an app that lets you use your PC remotely, i.e. you get to see the contents of your PC's screen and get to use it with your local input devices (mouse and keyboard or even just a touch screen), while all the computing is actually done on your PC.
Cool stuff!
This sounds like very good news, my brothers company (freelance computer technicians) were thinking about getting Windows phone because of the echo system it provides, continuum was also a plus, but remote login for another PC via phone will come in very handy, he's always doing it for his friends who aren't so computer Savvy so I see this as being a plus, also if his company is thinking about it, then others might be as well!!!! And to the person who said they are late to the game with this one, isn't Windows 10 a continually updating service, plus I think it's better to add things along the way in a better condition than releasing them when they are not ready aka Surface Pro 4/Surface Book!!!! Anyways I'm looking forward to this App...
This is BADASS. This is what excites Microsoft users!
I hope this doesn't make Microsoft forget the potential of the phone hardware itself as an input device for Continuum. Think of the potential if UWAs have native Continuum support so that you don't have to use the Continuum app to control an app on the big screen.
BetaRelease,
Cisco AnyConnect already works. I use it all the time
Why ios outlook app has one ponsey feature more than Win 10 thread, 300+comments Microsoft announce game changer thread, 41 comments, that about sums up the WC forums...
This!
Finest analyst worldwide
Yes, it's always moaning and negativity here. Whenever an app disappears or there is bad news, it's the apocalypse but when a well-known app gets released for Windows 10 (which is not happening that rarely, actually) then there is barely an acknowledgement. I don't really get it, if I'm here it's because I like the platform, if I start to get fed up about it I just switch away and don't make a big fuss about how I hate it. Maybe that's just me, though. :)
Yeah don't understand why someone who has no intention of nevermind buying a continuum phone least try it.. Spend their lives bad mouthing it to people who actually own one. I have been warned by WC for challenging this point and trying to explain that life is to short to be wasting it on negativity and just move onto something they like. But they seem to have the attitude Microsoft constantly owe them something...
It's not even about Continuum. Right now I have no intention of buying a Continuum phone but I find the technology highly intriguing and I'd certainly like to try it and I'm excited to see how it develops. I agree life is too short to waste it on negativity. I also don't understand the attitude you describe that I see here quite often. You paid for a phone, you got a phone and MS doesn't owe you anything they didn't promise beforehand. No reason to be pretentious and pretend life revolves around you and MS needs to cater to your specific needs. If you aren't satisfied, get another phone next time. If you have lost faith in Windows Phone or simply don't like it anymore, that's fine, move on and follow your dreams or whatever. That's not to say you shouldn't be allowed to point out flaws, but what I don't get is the people who only seem to be here to proclaim doomsday, I mean, where's the fun in that? I'm on this site because I want to have fun. :P
Gotta try preview, tablet mode rdp is not really working well, need mouse and keyboard. The windows phone version of rdp on the other hand was brilliant use... Hope the preview just a copy of the phone one! :)
This was what I wanted show off on my work trip a couple weeks ago but couldn't. :(
This sounds interesting. Cool!
I never doubted there would be a Universal RDP client. If Microsoft didn't bring one, a developer would. Anybody remember "Itap" back in 2007-8?
That was (is?) a fantastic RDP client for Ipad. It changed everything for IT. With a 3G Ipad, we were finally on-the-grid from anywhere. Little league games, fishing, ...etc.
Can't make people happy, you are all glad its coming but want to B#i@C& that its not here yet. I would rather have something now with the promise of more to come, verses holding out and giving us nothing until everthing is ready. I like where this whole continuum thing is going.
About **** time.
TeamViewer then RDP. Maybe LogMeIn please.
TeamViewer is already available
Citrix receiver please!
Well, duh. Remote desktop was the first thing that came to mind when they announced continuum. It's perfect for developing on remote VM's without carrying your laptop around
Victory!
Finally it's here!!! This gives Continuum great potential to use on workplace.
A business could issue phones to employees. They come in in the morning, find a cube to dock with, open rdp to server and login to work phone. Now you have a new agent/worker without all the old problems and without buying everyone a full pc and cell phone
Yeah! This can make Windows 10 Mobile devices useful as a company phone. If they're serious about productivity then this is a great way to push it too.
At least in this way, they can also make people familiarize about W10M and hopefully developers find this as an incentive to develop more quality apps and invest on the ecosystem because of userbase, at least in work related purposes.
I think this is also a time for OEM to make monitors that is well designed for Continuum too (sure it can be used as a normal monitor too). Basically the base have NFC and Wireless Charging that can activate Continuum automatically and also automatically connects wireless peripherals.
This IS a game changer...
This is a game changer... Soon!
Always coming soon.
Only when its feature complete to it's w7 like client
When Citrix Client as UWP?
isnt it already available?
Great for IT folks!
Nice
"Very soon in Technical Preview" New build coming really soon?
Unrelated. Technical Preview is in the name of the RDP app, hence just for the app.
Is there currently a RDP solution on Xbox One? If this app is truly "universal" then it will be, but I'm wondering about right now
This is great news! This way I can run modern apps on my 950XL, and then RDP or teamveiwer to my home PC running an i7 for x86 or x64 apps. Also, my old 1998 BMW runs Windows 10 home on the Infocus Kangaroo. Its been running 5 days nonstop, and the car still starts up fine!
I tap into the DVI port on my work monitor and if the boss walks over, one touch on the monitor, and its back to my work PC.
The IT dept thinks they are "monitoring me" at the front desk of the hotel (with websense and CCTV)
, but with nothing to do from 12pm to 7am, I can do just about anything now on the "guest WIFI"
LOL.
Stan, what is to say your IT isn't also monitoring the Guest Wifi? ;-
I wasted my few seconds reading this :p. oh wait. I wasted more by commenting under it. gowwwddd :p :p
Deceiving like a Boss...
I just can't believe that they didn't have this to start with.
What is it like 3 weeks since release... Dear me We should create a petition to get Microsoft to apologise for being 3-4 weeks late... It is a seperate App that is brand new so what do you mean by 'from the start' this will be the start.
Actually MP3Mike has a point. Windows phone doesn't get much attention beyond the initial buzz. This would have been a great product for the tech reviewers to have had an opportunity to test when they were first doing their reviews. I'm not finding fault of MSFT, just saying that I suspect that it is hard to get folks to take a second looks at windows phone so it would have been an extra bonus to have had such an app to make a splash at launch. I'm sure that if Microsoft was able to get it ready on time they would have - but I agree that it was a golden moment. Personally, this is likely my best use case for getting the dock. I vote for Cisco Anyconnect next!!!!!!!
You have to remember microsoft is launching the phone also in another place called the 'rest of the world' with most not getting their phones and boxes yet so it will be ready at the start... Considering the american market share is only 3 % and the 'rest of the world' is near 15 % The majority of customers will have this app on release of continuum... People should be happy to get the device early in the USA :) None of the phone Journo,s dared slag off continuum as it went straight over their heads at worst they trivualized it. They will revisit Continuum I have no doubt...
Then I would argue that given the 3% that you quoted (possibly less in the US) that it should have been even more critical that the launch generates buzz to help grow market share. Though I recognize that the stated goal of the 950s was to satisfy the enthusiasts. I can't say that I'm a fan of that strategy nor do i believe it. I think that they had to launch a phone and was obvious that this phone wasn't going to garner many converts so in my opinion, that was a PR line. To your point that "they will revisit", it is far better that you hook 'em the first time when they write their reviews rather than hoping they revisit. Please keep in mind that what they write is what's being disseminated to the public via blogs and other news channels. Again, this is not the end of the world but boy it sure would have been nice had it been ready at launch.
Cisco AnyConnect is available. Not sure its universal but it should still work.
I figured we would need a pacifier for the whiners at some point, congratulations!
It supplements the dock by allowing you to run apps that can't run natively on Windows Phone. If the allow seamless mode, it will make phone seem even more like a desktop.
For the obe who is not updated.. Continuum does not require a dock... Its needed only for 60 fps.. I still waiting the Brazilian launch
Se sim.. Ae eu vi vantagem... :)
This negates the need for a continuum dock?
Um, no. It's about using Remote Desktop with Continuum to access a remote computer. How would it negate the need for the Display Dock?
There's no reason why it would negate the use of the dock, which you technically don't need since you can use continuum via Miracast.
For continuum via miracast is laggy for doing things lik office . ou ned the dock for certain things.
I cant help but to agree. I believe you can use a micro usb3 to mhl adapter(with usbotg in-between)
With one difference though, dock will allow you to have two independent interfaces with phone and connected monitor while Miracast will work with screen mirroring principle having the phone screen mirrored on Monitor.
No, with the new 950/XL hardware also Miracast can be used for continuum with 2 screens. So you could be totaly wireless, BT keyboard and mouse + Miracast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMfmaWESYzQ
Well you didnt use miracast and continuum yet, right ? :)
I see it more as you can have a full PC with continuum and the remote desktop right?
But your pc must be turned on 24/7.
It would be very useful if you could wake up pc with this app remotely
You can use voice wake app for that!!
The intention would be a managed VM in the cloud. I'm sure MS would love it if you used Azure for this, but AWS also offers the service.
This is great, as you can use an ARM-based phone to accomplish Win32 tasks via the cloud. It'll help keep costs down if they introduce Continuum in a budget device like the 550 (I know the 550 doesn't have Continuum, an oversight, IMHO), and make provisioning and workstation maintenance much easier.
Don't forget, for many people it means they will be able to access their PC that is on their desk at the office, which can often be left on 24/7 or be configured to wake when trying to connect like this.
This will definitely have it's biggest usage out of business and enterprise users for sure, but there are a number of computer enthusiasts who are just waiting for this to happen so they can use it for personal stuff as well.
Having it available may also make more people think about using it that never would have used something like this before. Imagine a photographer, while on a shoot on-location, able to use this remote desktop to fire up PhotoShop on his computer back at home and do some serious editing from his hotel room in the Bahamas using his mobile device (yeah, he's doing a photo-shoot for the SI Swimsuit edition). A device (could be a phone or small tablet) that may not have the processing power required for such tasks, but using this it can be transformed into the most powerful of workstations to handle high-end processing. I can imagine myself using something like this the next time my family takes a vacation to the beach even. While the children sleep, I can edit the videos I've taken during the trip, put them together, and compile a DVD or Blu-Ray memory of our trip, saved as an ISO on the computer at home, ready to burn when I get home.
It's called RDP and it's been available for years now.
"This negates the need for a continuum dock?"
Nope! Actually this will be one of the leading reasons for using continuum / display dock.
Infact, it is just the opposite. RD on Continuum could be THE main use case for Continuum. If you want to work from home, you can connect to office desktop on your phone and free up the personal laptop/desktop (you need a spare monitor, though)