Microsoft replacing Remote Desktop app with Windows App in May

Microsoft announced that it will drop support for the Remote Desktop app (available via the Microsoft Store) on May 27 and replace it with its new Windows App.

"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, 202," Microsoft said.

"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."

The Windows App is designed for work and school accounts and helps connect to Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365, Microsoft Dev Box, Remote Desktop Services, and remote PCs.

According to Microsoft, it can be used from PCs, tablets, smartphones, and via web browsers to connect to cloud PCs, virtual desktops, and local PCs across Windows 365, Remote Desktop, Remote Desktop Services, Azure Virtual Desktop, or Microsoft Dev Box.

The app has been available in preview since 2023 and was officially launched in September 2024, when Redmond described it as "a unified gateway to Windows."

However, despite being under development for years, the new Windows App still doesn't support Remote Desktop Services and Remote PC connections on Windows, although it does on all other platforms (e.g., macOS, iOS/iPadOS, Android, Chrome OS, web, and Meta Quest).

Because of this, Microsoft advises Remote desktop and Remote Desktop Services users to use the Windows built-in Remote Desktop Connection app to connect to remote desktops.

"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," Redmond added.

"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."

To connect to a remote device using Remote Desktop Connection, search for Remote Desktop Connection in the Windows Start Menu, click its entry, then type the name of the PC you want to connect to and click "Connect."