Thought Leadership
Microsoft is pulling the plug on its Remote Desktop app: from May 27, 2025, the application will no longer be supported and will disappear from the Microsoft Store. The Windows app, which has been available since September 2024 and enables users to access services such as Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop and remote PCs, will be available as a successor.
The Windows app is not just intended to replace the Remote Desktop app, but to surpass it. Microsoft emphasizes that the new application provides a central platform through which users can control various Windows services – from cloud PCs to virtual desktops. Benefits include customizable home screens, support for multiple monitors and flexible resolutions. Collaboration with Microsoft Teams has also been optimized, for example through better device forwarding and the ability to quickly switch between accounts.
Countdown running
Users will have to switch by May 27, 2025 at the latest, as connections to services such as Windows 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop via the old Remote Desktop app will be blocked after this date. The Windows app will then be the only solution supported by Microsoft for these use cases.
Remote Desktop App vs. Remote Desktop Connection App
The similarity in name between the Remote Desktop App and the Remote Desktop Connection App is causing uncertainty for many users. Microsoft clarifies: Only the Remote Desktop app available in the Microsoft Store will be discontinued. The Remote Desktop Connection app, an integral part of Windows 11, will remain. This is primarily used to establish direct remote connections to other PCs and uses the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). Unlike the Windows app, it also supports private accounts and is not limited to work or school access.
