Windows App Arrives Soon to Replace Remote Desktop

Announced at Microsoft Ignite 2023, the Windows App will be generally available for Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Web soon. It will be available in public preview for Android this fall as well.

“The Windows App is your gateway to securely connect to Windows on any device or app across Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, Remote PC, Remote Desktop Services, Microsoft Dev Box, and more,” Microsoft’s Hilary Braun writes. “Enjoy the simplicity of a unified client that securely connects you to your Windows workspace in the cloud from any device. Enhance productivity with customizable home screens, support for multiple monitors, and USB redirection. Benefit from advanced security features, including multifactor authentication, which ensure a seamless and robust connection to your Cloud PCs and enable you to work efficiently from any location, at any time.”

Or, if you’re a Microsoft IT pro, I guess, you can freak out a bit. It’s notable how many people have reached out to me this past week, confused and even angered by this change. This is partially my fault, I guess: We didn’t explicitly cover this app when it was announced at Ignite. But … yeah. It’s happening.

It’s also replacing an app you’re probably familiar with. On Windows, the new Windows App will replace the Windows 365 app, for example, and you can download it now from the Microsoft Store if you’re not already freaking out. On Mac, iPhone, and iPad, it’s replacing the Remote Desktop app, and is likewise available from the App Store and Mac App Store, respectively. If you’re using the web, there’s nothing to do: You’ll get the new experience automatically. And if you’re on Android, good news, the public preview is coming soon to the Google Play Store.

You can learn more about the Windows App from the Microsoft Learn website.

And yes, please do queue up the “you can run Windows on your iPhone now” jokes. It never gets old.