The transition to "Windows App" is complete — good luck searching for that name on Google

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Remote Desktop has reached its end of support, leaving people to use the unified but confusingly named "Windows App."

Windows App
The Windows App provides a unified way to access PCs remotely through several types of connections. (Image credit: Windows Central | Microsoft)

Microsoft's Remote Desktop is on its way to retirement, even for commercial clients. But you don't need to worry about losing the ability to access a desktop remotely. Instead, you'll just have to use the Windows App.

That app has grown significantly over the last year. For example, it now supports launching remote resources from the Start menu and Spotlight search and split-screen layouts when using Windows App through the web.

Article continues below
  • Connectivity & Reliability
    • RDP Multipath
    • In-App Health Diagnostics
    • Enhanced Connection Failover
  • Productivity & UX
    • Web-Based Split-Screen Support
    • Direct Clipboard File Transfer
    • Start Menu and Spotlight Integration
    • Native macOS Dock and App Switching
    • Surface Mouse Support for iOS
    • Automatic External Monitor Resolution
    • URI-Based Session Launching
  • Security & Admin
    • Intune Mobile Application Management (MAM) for iOS and Android
    • Client-Side Keyboard Input Protection
    • Remote PC connections (preview)
    • Shared Device Auto Logoff

The Windows App is a single app that allows you to access Windows remotely in a variety of ways. You can use the app to connect to a cloud PC through Windows 365, connect to a physical PC remotely, or use an Azure Virtual Desktop.

While the name "Windows App" can be a bit confusing, the app itself is a streamlined and unified experience for remote connections.

Before the release of the Windows App, accessing PCs remotely took several applications, such as Remote Desktop. Windows App supports more types of Windows connections as well as more devices.

Microsoft outlines these in a support document that includes the following chart.

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Connect to

Windows

macOS

iOS/ iPadOS

Android/ Chrome OS

Web browser

Meta Quest

Azure Virtual Desktop

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

Windows 365

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

Microsoft Dev Box

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

Remote Desktop Services

❌

✅

✅

✅

❌

✅

Remote PC

✅

✅

✅

✅

❌

✅

Migrating to Windows App

We just passed the end of support for the Remote Desktop client for Windows and the web-based Remote Desktop client (support ended March 27, 2026).

Azure Government and Azure 21Vianet Clouds users have a bit longer. Support for those ends on September 28, 2026.

Microsoft encourages users to start planning the migration to Windows App now to have ample time to switch. The tech giant plans to have Windows App reach feature parity with Remote Desktop client for Windows in the future.

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Sean Endicott
Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.

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