What Is Windows App? Microsoft’s Replacement for Remote Desktop
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09 November 2026 -
Windows 365 -
Written by Editorial Team
Windows App is Microsoft’s single app for connecting to Windows 365 Cloud PCs, Azure Virtual Desktop, Microsoft Dev Box, Remote Desktop Services, and remote PCs, from Windows, macOS, iPhone and iPad, Android and Chromebook, web browsers, and Meta Quest. It replaces the older Remote Desktop clients that Microsoft has now retired for Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Dev Box. If you have been told to “switch to Windows App,” or your old Remote Desktop app stopped connecting, this is the app you need, and installing it takes a few minutes.
This guide explains what Windows App is, what it connects to, how it differs from Remote Desktop, the dates that matter, where to download it on every platform, how to set it up, which features work on which devices, and what administrators should do. It uses Microsoft’s own documentation throughout, linked in the sources at the end, so you can check any detail yourself.
Key Takeaways
- One app replaces several. Windows App connects to Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, Microsoft Dev Box, Remote Desktop Services, and remote PCs, and it runs on six kinds of platform.
- The old clients are retired. The Store Remote Desktop app was blocked from Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Dev Box on September 30, 2025, and support for the Remote Desktop MSI client and web client ended on March 27, 2026 in public cloud.
- It needs a work or school account. You cannot sign in with a personal Microsoft account, except that remote PC connections do not require signing in at all.
- Features differ by platform. Multiple monitors work on Windows and macOS, USB redirection works only on Windows, and Windows 365 Boot and Switch are Windows-only.
- A browser works with no install. The web version is a good fallback, with fewer features.
- Administrators have work to do. Move users off the old clients, apply Conditional Access to all three Windows 365 sign-in apps, and decide which redirections to allow.
What Is Windows App?
Windows App is a free client from Microsoft that connects you to remote Windows desktops and applications. Instead of juggling a different app for each Microsoft service, you sign in once and see your devices and apps in one place. Microsoft launched it in September 2024, and it has since become the supported way to reach Windows 365 Cloud PCs (if the idea is new to you, here is how a Cloud PC works), Azure Virtual Desktop, and Microsoft Dev Box.
The app is built around a customizable home screen. You can pin the devices and apps you use most to a Favorites tab, switch between several accounts, and search across everything you can reach. Microsoft lists the main features as multiple monitor support, custom and dynamic display resolutions, device redirection for webcams, audio, storage, and printers, Microsoft Teams optimizations, and easy switching between accounts. On Windows 11, you can also add favorite Cloud PCs to Task view so switching between local and cloud desktops takes one click.
One clarification avoids confusion: Windows App is not Windows itself, and it is not a way to run Windows software locally. It is the connection tool. The Windows desktop or application you open runs somewhere else, in a cloud service or on a remote PC, and the app streams the display, keyboard, and mouse to your device.
What Can You Connect To With Windows App?
Windows App connects to five kinds of destination. Which ones are available depends on your platform, as the table shows.
| Connect To | Windows | macOS | iOS and iPadOS | Android and Chrome OS | Web Browser |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 365 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Azure Virtual Desktop | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Microsoft Dev Box | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Desktop Services | Not yet | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Remote PC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Meta Quest headsets are also supported, currently in preview. Two details in the table matter in practice. On Windows, Windows App does not yet connect to Remote Desktop Services, and Microsoft’s guidance is to keep using the Remote Desktop app on Windows for that. And the browser version connects only to Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Dev Box, which is why it makes a good fallback for Cloud PCs and a poor one for remote PCs.
Windows App vs the Remote Desktop Client: What Changed and When
Many people arrive here because something stopped working. Microsoft has been retiring its Remote Desktop clients in stages, and each stage had a date. The timeline below shows what applies to Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Dev Box users.
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The Store Remote Desktop App
Microsoft first set May 27, 2025 as the date to stop supporting the Remote Desktop app from the Microsoft Store, then moved the blocking date. Since September 30, 2025, that app has been blocked from connecting to Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Microsoft Dev Box, and it is no longer supported or available to download. Microsoft noted that connections to Remote Desktop Services and to remote PCs were not affected by that block.
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The Remote Desktop MSI Client and Web Client
The standalone Remote Desktop client for Windows (MSI) and the Remote Desktop web client reached end of support on March 27, 2026 for customers in public cloud environments. For Azure Government, Azure operated by 21Vianet, and Azure Virtual Desktop (classic), support for the MSI client was extended to September 28, 2026, after which it is no longer supported or available to download.
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What Is Not Affected
The retirement concerns the downloadable Remote Desktop client apps used for Microsoft’s cloud desktop services. It does not remove the Remote Desktop feature built into Windows, which lets you connect to a PC you own.
Here is how the two compare day to day.
| Question | Old Remote Desktop Clients | Windows App |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Retired for Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Dev Box | Microsoft’s current client |
| Number of apps | Separate apps by platform and service | One app for several services |
| Newer Windows 365 features | Not supported, for example Windows 365 Reserve does not list the old client | Supports Windows 365 Flex, Reserve, and Cloud Apps, plus Boot and Switch on Windows |
| Updates | No longer maintained for these services | Regularly updated |
Where to Download Windows App
Windows App is free, and you install it from the store for your platform. Microsoft also offers standalone installers for Windows and macOS, which are useful when you cannot use the store.
| Platform | Where to Get It | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Microsoft Store, or a standalone MSIX installer from Microsoft’s release notes | Windows 11, Windows 10 version 1809 or later, or Windows Server 2019 or later |
| macOS | Mac App Store, or a standalone PKG installer | The store listing shows the minimum macOS version, and it has changed over time |
| iPhone and iPad | App Store, listed as Windows App Mobile | The listing shows the minimum iOS or iPadOS version |
| Android and Chromebook | Google Play | A device supported by its manufacturer |
| Web browser | No download needed | A modern browser, with fewer features than the app |
Microsoft notes that Windows 10 devices out of mainstream support need to be enrolled in the Extended Security Updates program to be supported, and that organizations with locked-down networks must allow access to the endpoints Microsoft lists for end-user devices. Always take the app from an official store or from Microsoft’s own download links, since a remote desktop client handles your credentials.
How to Set Up Windows App in Six Steps
The steps are nearly identical across platforms. This walkthrough uses Windows 365 as the example, and the same flow applies to Azure Virtual Desktop and Dev Box.
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Step 1: Get Something to Connect To
Your administrator has to assign you a Cloud PC, a virtual desktop, a Dev Box, or an app. Without an assignment the app opens empty, which is the most common reason a first sign-in looks wrong.
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Step 2: Install Windows App
Download Windows App from the store for your platform, then open it. On Windows, the Microsoft Store is the usual route, and a standalone MSIX file is available if your organization prefers it.
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Step 3: Sign In With Your Work or School Account
Select Sign in and use the account your organization gave you. If you are already signed in to a managed Windows device with a work or school account, Windows App can sign you in automatically. A personal Microsoft account will not work.
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Step 4: Open the Devices or Apps Tab
After you sign in, the Devices and Apps tabs show what you can reach. A tab is hidden when you have nothing of that type assigned, so a missing tab usually means a missing assignment, not a broken app. Use the search box and filters to find what you need.
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Step 5: Select Connect
Choose Connect on a device or select an app. You may be asked for your password or a multi-factor prompt, depending on your administrator’s settings. When the connection finishes, your Windows desktop or app appears.
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Step 6: Pin Your Favorites
Pin the devices and apps you use most to the Favorites tab, and on Windows 11 add your Cloud PCs to Task view. That turns a multi-step connection into a single click.
Windows App Features Compared Across Platforms
Windows App looks similar everywhere, but support for individual features differs. Microsoft publishes a full feature comparison across platforms, and the table below pulls out the rows that matter most when you connect to Windows 365.
| Feature | Windows | macOS | iOS and iPadOS | Android and Chrome OS | Web Browser |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple monitors | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| External monitor | Yes | Yes | Yes | Depends on the device | No |
| Teams media optimization (WebRTC) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Clipboard, both directions | Yes | Yes | Yes, text and images | Yes, text only | Yes, text only |
| Printer redirection | Yes | Limited | No | No | Yes |
| USB and serial redirection | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Touch input | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Windows 365 Boot and Switch | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Windows 365 Flex | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Redirection of devices and resources always depends on what your administrator has allowed. Microsoft disables drive, clipboard, printer, and USB drive redirection by default, and when a setting is configured in more than one place, the more restrictive one wins. That explains many “it works for my colleague but not for me” reports, and it is the first thing to check when a feature seems missing.
Windows App on Each Platform
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Windows
Windows gets the fullest feature set, including multiple monitors, USB and serial redirection, Windows 365 Boot, and Windows 365 Switch, which lets you move between your local PC and a Cloud PC from Task view. The one gap is Remote Desktop Services, where Microsoft still points Windows users to the Remote Desktop app.
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macOS
Windows App on a Mac supports multiple monitors, Teams optimization, passkey sign-in, and screen capture protection, but not USB, scanner, or touch input. Our walkthrough covers setting up Windows 365 on a Mac, including printing limits and Apple silicon notes.
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iPhone and iPad
Windows App Mobile supports touch, keyboards, trackpads, and external displays on iPad. If an iPad is part of your plan, here is more on using a Cloud PC on an iPad, including the iPadOS requirement.
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Android and Chromebook
Windows App for Android and Chrome OS is distributed through Google Play and supports touch, a mouse, and external monitors where the device allows. Chromebook users have several routes to Windows software, and we compare your options for Windows on a Chromebook in a separate guide.
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Web Browser
The browser version needs no installation, which suits borrowed computers and locked-down devices. It connects to Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Dev Box, but it does not support external or multiple monitors, USB redirection, or Teams media optimization.
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Meta Quest
Windows App is available for Meta Quest headsets in preview, so you can open a Cloud PC or a remote PC in a virtual workspace. It is a niche option today, and Microsoft labels it a preview.
Windows App Rollout
Roll Out Windows App Without Disrupting Anyone’s Work
Start with a pilot group, confirm every platform and peripheral you rely on, then move everyone with clear instructions. Apps4Rent plans the rollout, sets the policies, and supports your users through the switch.
Connecting to a Remote PC With Windows App
Windows App is not only for Microsoft’s cloud services. On Windows, macOS, iOS and iPadOS, Android and Chrome OS, and Meta Quest, you can also connect to a remote PC, such as a computer in your office or at home. You can use the app for this without signing in. You add the PC by its name or IP address, make sure Remote Desktop access is enabled on that PC, and select Connect. On Windows, Microsoft turns all redirections off by default for a remote PC you add, so you choose what to share.
A word of caution: connecting to a PC over the internet exposes it to attack if it is set up carelessly. Never open a Remote Desktop port directly to the internet without protections. Our guide on how to lock down Remote Desktop access covers the essentials, and if you would rather not manage a PC for remote access at all, managed remote desktops hosted for you move that burden to a provider.
Windows App vs Other Ways to Reach a Cloud PC
Windows App is the main route to a Cloud PC, but it is not the only one, and the right choice depends on the person and the device.
- Windows App. The fullest experience on every platform, with the Devices tab, favorites, multiple accounts, and the broadest feature support.
- A web browser. Nothing to install, which suits borrowed or locked-down computers. Business users sign in at windows365.microsoft.com and Enterprise users at windows.cloud.microsoft, per Microsoft’s Business and Enterprise comparison. Expect fewer features, such as no external monitor support.
- Windows 365 Boot and Switch. On Windows devices, Boot starts the PC directly into a Cloud PC, and Switch moves between the local PC and the Cloud PC from Task view. Both are Windows-only.
- A dedicated device. Windows 365 Link connects straight to a Cloud PC with no local apps or data, which suits shared desks. We explain a purpose-built Cloud PC device in a separate guide.
What Administrators Need to Do
If you manage Windows 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop, the retirement of the old clients turns Windows App into an operational project. These are the tasks that matter.
- Find and replace old clients. Audit your devices for the Store Remote Desktop app and the MSI client, and deploy Windows App in their place. Windows App is available from the Microsoft Store and as a standalone MSIX file on Windows, and as a PKG on macOS.
- Allow the required network endpoints. If your network restricts internet access, allow the endpoints Microsoft lists for end-user devices so downloads and connections work.
- Apply Conditional Access to all three sign-in apps. Microsoft recommends matching policies for Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Windows Cloud Login, tested in report-only mode first. Our steps for hardening Cloud PCs walk through it.
- Decide on redirections. Review clipboard, drive, printer, and USB redirection by role, and prefer alternatives such as Universal Print and one-way clipboard where you can.
- Use Intune controls where they exist. Microsoft Intune mobile application management can control some Windows App settings, such as camera, clipboard, drive, and microphone redirection, on iOS and Android, and screen capture protection too, but not on Windows or macOS.
- Keep clients updated. Windows App updates arrive through the Microsoft Store or Windows Update on Windows, the App Store on Apple devices, and Google Play on Android, and updates include security fixes.
If you are weighing Windows 365 against Azure Virtual Desktop as the thing Windows App connects you to, here is how Windows 365 and AVD differ on cost and control. Developer teams moving from Dev Box can read what the Dev Box retirement means for developer teams.
Not Sure Which Devices Still Use the Old Remote Desktop Client?
We will help you find them, deploy Windows App, and set the access and redirection policies, so nobody loses access to their desktop.
Common Misconceptions About Windows App
- “Windows App is a version of Windows.” It is not. It is a connection tool, and the Windows desktop you open runs in the cloud or on a remote PC.
- “It only works with Windows 365.” It also connects to Azure Virtual Desktop, Microsoft Dev Box, Remote Desktop Services, and remote PCs, depending on your platform.
- “It is free, so I do not need a license.” The app costs nothing, but you still need a Windows 365 license, an Azure Virtual Desktop setup, or another service assigned to you, or there is nothing to connect to.
- “It is the same as the Windows App SDK.” That is a developer toolkit with a similar name. It has nothing to do with connecting to remote desktops.
- “It replaces the Remote Desktop feature in Windows.” It does not. The retirement affects the downloadable Remote Desktop client apps for Microsoft’s cloud services, not the Remote Desktop feature built into Windows.
- “Every feature works on every device.” Support differs by platform, so check the feature table before you promise a user that a peripheral or setting will work.
A Practical Plan for Moving Users to Windows App
If you still have users on the old clients, a short, deliberate plan avoids support spikes.
- Inventory. List which users and devices still use the Store Remote Desktop app or the MSI client, and which platforms and peripherals they rely on.
- Pilot. Give a small group Windows App first, including at least one Mac, one mobile device, and anyone who needs printing or USB devices, and record what breaks.
- Prepare policies. Confirm Conditional Access covers all three Windows 365 sign-in apps and that redirections match what each role needs.
- Deploy and communicate. Push Windows App through your usual tools, and send short, platform-specific instructions that explain what changes and where to get help.
- Verify and clean up. Confirm every user can connect, remove the retired clients, and keep the troubleshooting table handy for the first weeks.
Windows App Security Notes
Because Windows App is the front door to your cloud desktops, a few security points are worth knowing. Sign-in requires a work or school account and goes through Microsoft Entra ID, which means your Conditional Access and multi-factor policies apply. Passkeys and Microsoft Authenticator are supported as sign-in methods on several platforms. Microsoft also lists screen capture protection and watermarking as supported on Windows, macOS, and mobile platforms (on iOS and Android, screen capture protection needs Intune app protection), and watermarking in the browser, although both depend on how your administrator configures the session. A few protections are narrower: token protection is a Windows-only feature, and the preview Input Protection and Display Protection features apply only on Windows.
For users, the practical advice is simple. Install the app only from an official store or Microsoft’s own download page, keep it and your operating system updated, and treat any prompt to enter your work credentials in an unfamiliar window with suspicion.
Troubleshooting Windows App
| What You See | Likely Cause | What to Try |
|---|---|---|
| My old Remote Desktop app will not connect to my Cloud PC | The old client has been retired for Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Dev Box | Install Windows App and sign in with your work or school account |
| I cannot sign in | You used a personal Microsoft account, which Windows App does not accept | Use the work or school account your organization gave you |
| The app opens but shows nothing | Nothing is assigned to you, so the Devices and Apps tabs are hidden | Ask your administrator to assign a Cloud PC, desktop, or app |
| I cannot reach Remote Desktop Services on Windows | Windows App on Windows does not yet support Remote Desktop Services | Use the Remote Desktop app on Windows for that connection |
| Copy and paste or printing does not work | Clipboard and printer redirection are disabled by default | Ask your administrator to allow them for your group |
| A feature is missing on my device | Support differs by platform, for example no USB redirection on macOS | Check the feature table above, or use a Windows device for that task |
| I cannot connect to a remote PC | Remote Desktop is off on that PC, or the network cannot reach it | Enable Remote Desktop on the PC and confirm network access |
The Bottom Line
Windows App is now the standard way to reach Microsoft’s cloud desktops and apps. It brings Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, Dev Box, Remote Desktop Services, and remote PCs into one app on six kinds of platform, and it replaces Remote Desktop clients that Microsoft has retired for those services. For users, the job is simple: install it from an official store, sign in with a work or school account, and connect. For administrators, the work is in finding old clients, applying consistent Conditional Access, and choosing which redirections to allow. Whatever platform you use, check the feature table before promising a device or peripheral will work, because support is not identical everywhere.
Talk to a Windows 365 Specialist
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Our Microsoft-certified consultants will plan the client rollout, configure access and redirection policies, license and provision your Cloud PCs, and support your users around the clock.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is Windows App?
Windows App is Microsoft’s free app for connecting to Windows 365 Cloud PCs, Azure Virtual Desktop, Microsoft Dev Box, Remote Desktop Services, and remote PCs. It runs on Windows, macOS, iOS and iPadOS, Android and Chrome OS, web browsers, and Meta Quest.
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Is Windows App the same as Remote Desktop?
No. Windows App is the newer client that replaces the Remote Desktop clients for Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Dev Box. It is a single app for several services and supports newer features that the old clients do not.
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Is the Microsoft Remote Desktop app still supported?
Not for Microsoft’s cloud desktop services. The Store Remote Desktop app was blocked from Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Dev Box on September 30, 2025, and support for the MSI client and web client ended on March 27, 2026 in public cloud. Azure Government, Azure operated by 21Vianet, and AVD Classic MSI support ended on September 28, 2026.
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Is Windows App free?
Yes. You download Windows App at no cost from the Microsoft Store, Mac App Store, App Store, or Google Play, or use it in a web browser. You do still need a Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, or other service license to have something to connect to.
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Where do I download Windows App?
Use the Microsoft Store on Windows, the Mac App Store on macOS, the App Store on iPhone and iPad, and Google Play on Android and Chromebook. Microsoft also provides standalone MSIX and PKG installers for Windows and macOS, and the browser version needs no download.
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Which platforms does Windows App support?
Windows, macOS, iOS and iPadOS, Android and Chrome OS, web browsers, and Meta Quest, which is in preview. visionOS works only in compatibility mode.
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Can I sign in to Windows App with a personal Microsoft account?
No. Signing in requires a work or school account provided by your administrator. Connecting to a remote PC does not require signing in to the app.
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Can Windows App connect to a remote PC?
Yes, on Windows, macOS, iOS and iPadOS, Android and Chrome OS, and Meta Quest. You add the PC by name or IP address, enable Remote Desktop on that PC, and connect. Redirections are off by default.
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Does Windows App connect to Remote Desktop Services on Windows?
Not yet. Microsoft says Windows App on Windows does not support Remote Desktop Services, and recommends continuing to use the Remote Desktop app on Windows for those connections. macOS, iOS and iPadOS, and Android do support Remote Desktop Services.
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Which version of Windows does Windows App need?
Windows App on Windows needs Windows 11, Windows 10 version 1809 or later, or Windows Server 2019 or later. Windows 10 devices outside mainstream support need to be enrolled in the Extended Security Updates program.
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Can I use more than one account in Windows App?
Yes. Windows App lets you sign in with multiple accounts and switch between them easily, which helps if you work across organizations or services.
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Do Windows 365 Boot and Switch work on Mac or mobile devices?
No. Microsoft lists Windows 365 Boot and Windows 365 Switch as available only on Windows. Windows 365 Flex, by contrast, is supported on Windows, macOS, iOS and iPadOS, Android and Chrome OS, and in a browser.
