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Windows App to replace Remote Desktop app for Windows

Hilary_Braun's avatar
Hilary_Braun
Icon for Microsoft rankMicrosoft
Mar 10, 2025

Editor's note 3.11.2025 – This blog applies only to the Windows App replacement of the Remote Desktop app downloaded from the Microsoft Store. It does not apply to the Remote Desktop client standalone installer (MSI), which can be downloaded from Download and install the Remote Desktop client for Windows (MSI).

Starting May 27, 2025, the Remote Desktop app for Windows from the Microsoft Store will no longer be supported or available for download and installation. Users must transition to Windows App to ensure continued access to Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Microsoft Dev Box.

Windows App provides several improvements over the Remote Desktop app for Windows, including:

  • Unified access to multiple Windows services, including Cloud PCs and virtual desktops from a single, streamlined interface.
  • Customizable home screens, multimonitor support, and dynamic display resolutions.

Enhanced remote work experiences with features such as device redirection, Microsoft Teams optimizations, and easy account switching. 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, 2025. For all other users, the Remote Desktop app will no longer be supported.

Prepare for the transition

Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Microsoft Dev Box users:

Remote desktop users: 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.

Remote Desktop Services users: 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.

Known issues: 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. Be sure to check this list over time as the feature gaps will be resolved.

Uninstall the Remote Desktop app: For uninstallation methods that align with how you manage your apps, visit our Uninstall your apps and Remove Apps documentation.

IT administrators can help prepare their organizations by encouraging users of Remote Desktop app for Windows to start their transition to Windows App, and by updating internal resources such as user guidance, help desk documentation, and administrative materials, as needed.

Continue the conversation. Find best practices. Bookmark the Windows Tech Community, then follow us @MSWindowsITPro on X and on LinkedIn. Looking for support? Visit Windows on Microsoft Q&A.

Updated Mar 12, 2025
Version 8.0
virtualization
windows 365
  • Tank23x0's avatar
    Tank23x0
    Occasional Reader
    Mar 12, 2025

    can we get clarity? 

    Is this EOL just a rebrand of the RDP > Windows app(forcing work/school account)? 

    You say the MSI will still work, but does this mean the change is only superficial for those grabbing from the app stores on their devices? 

    It's sad you also don't put any documentation for administrators that you know, manage said applications especially when this is no longer a consumer application. 

  • mamoreau's avatar
    mamoreau
    Brass Contributor
    Mar 12, 2025

    Would it be possible to clarify that this announcement does not affect mstsc, the Windows built-in RDP client? I've seen a lot of people read "Remote Desktop app for Windows" and immediately thought Microsoft was killing mstsc because that's what it means to a lot of them. mstsc is actually a lot more popular for system administrators than the Microsoft Store app which is often unknown to them. Moreover, the same people using mstsc daily are only interested in "regular RDP", not Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365 or DevBox which is what the new Windows App is only focused on.

  • MuziGuy's avatar
    MuziGuy
    Copper Contributor
    Mar 12, 2025

    I use the Windows Store Remote Desktop App EVERY DAY for my job. I love the ability to collapse groups of machines and expand them to make the UI cleaner as needed. I can save credentials and export all my RDP devices between computers I use. I also do NOT have to sign in using a WORK email to use it. 

    Microsoft has been adding tabs to everything like browsers and notes and windows explorer. Please move the RDP function from the Remote Desktop into the Windows app for RDP session and DO NOT REQUIRE a work login to work. I don't want to have to sign in on a PERSONAL computer with my WORK email to use the app on a PERSONAL computer for PERSONAL use. 

    How are normal users supposed to take advantage of the "Improved RDP" experience if they can't use the Windows App without a work or school account? Please DO NOT force login to use the app. Every other platform DOES NOT require this. Why should windows? I am so sick and tired to know better functions exist OUTSIDE of a Microsoft Native Experience. Co-pilot is one of those. 

    When will RDP even be available on the Windows App? To have the app out for 1 year and not have RDP available is crazy insane ridiculousness. So Microsoft has 2 months to fix this? I don't see this happening in any smooth fashion and we won't be left with any way to RDP except the ancient native mstsc.exe app... 

    Please do better - I am getting more frustrated every day with the PUSH to cloud etc without thinking about what the user experience on LOCAL computers that built the Microsoft Business in the first place. 


    • mamoreau's avatar
      mamoreau
      Brass Contributor
      Mar 12, 2025

      mstsc is only getting the bare minimum of updates, msrdc uses the same core but ships out-of-box, with faster updates. The correct move from Microsoft would be officially allow third-party integration of msrdc for non-AVD use cases, and keep improving it for "regular RDP" use cases. You can't just switch IT administrators using mstsc to Windows Server to Azure Virtual Desktop, it's not even the same use case. Microsoft pushing for a Windows App that doesn't even support regular RDP connections is really the epitome of the lack of understanding of what RDP is used for daily by system administrators, and just users who want to RDP to the machines that they have, and will never "migrate to Azure".

  • Hilary_Braun's avatar
    Hilary_Braun
    Icon for Microsoft rankMicrosoft
    Mar 11, 2025

    This announcement only pertains to the Remote Desktop app from the Microsoft Store. It does not impact the Remote Desktop client standalone installer (MSI). That version is still available for download and is still supported.

    This statement also does not impact the Remote Desktop web client

    EatSleepCloudRepeat PaulWarren-TWR joeyvldn Rachid007 

  • NateHopkins's avatar
    NateHopkins
    Occasional Reader
    Mar 11, 2025

    'Windows App?'  Seriously?  How can the Microsoft marketing machine come up with a name that is so ambiguous?  Isn't every app that runs on Windows a 'Windows App?'  Within Intune isn't 'Windows app' an App Type?  This is a classic case of Microsoft being too big to succeed.

    ChatGPT came up better replacement names in seconds. 

    Microsoft Horizon – Emphasizing a seamless remote experience.
    Microsoft Reach – Highlighting accessibility from anywhere.
    Microsoft Link – A simple and modern name for remote connectivity.
    Microsoft OmniDesk – Suggesting an all-encompassing workspace.
    Microsoft Gateway – Signifying a portal to remote systems.
    Microsoft Nexus – Indicating a central hub for remote access.
    Microsoft Teleport – A fun and futuristic approach.
    Microsoft WorkFlow – Focused on productivity and remote efficiency.
    Microsoft Continuum – Highlighting a seamless transition between devices.
    Microsoft AccessPoint – A straightforward name for remote access.

    I'm sure that 1,000's of hours of meetings took place to finally land on 'Windows App.'

    Microsoft - DO BETTER!

  • nickemson's avatar
    nickemson
    Copper Contributor
    Mar 11, 2025

    How can I integrate RemoteApps into the Start menu as shortcuts, when Windows App and Remote Connections don’t support this from AVD?

    At least bring feature parity before pulling the rug on short notice.

  • JHaack's avatar
    JHaack
    Occasional Reader
    Mar 11, 2025

    Why are you removing the Remote Desktop app before the functionality is added to the Windows app?  As an IT professional I use the Remote Desktop app to access many of my virtual machines across different locations every day.  I can appreciate a single app for all experiences, but as an end user I can't help but feel cut off.