NoMicrosoft to Discontinue Remote Desktop App in Favor of New Windows App by May 27, 2025

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Microsoft to Discontinue Remote Desktop App in Favor of New Windows App by May 27, 2025
Microsoft has issued an announcement that it will discontinue support for its Remote Desktop application for Windows as of May 27, 2025. This is coming as a massive shift towards the new Windows App, which becomes the new de facto app for remote desktop functionality. The current Remote Desktop app, as published in the Microsoft Store, will no longer be supported or available for download as of the mentioned date.
The latest Windows App offers several enhancements from the existing Remote Desktop app. It integrates access to a variety of Windows services, including virtual desktops and Cloud PCs, into one optimized interface. The user has access to customizable home screens, multimonitoring, and dynamic display resolutions that enhance remote work overall. The app is also capable of features such as device redirection, Microsoft Teams optimizations, and switching accounts seamlessly.
For those consumers who rely on the Remote Desktop application to use Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, or Microsoft Dev Box, a transition to the Windows App must occur in order to maintain access to these applications. Access to them using the Remote Desktop app will be blocked after May 27, 2025. While everyone will no longer have the Remote Desktop app supported, Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Connection tool, decades old and long a part of Windows, will still be offered as part of Windows 11 after the end date.
IT workers are invited to prepare their companies for this change by requesting that users migrate to the Windows App. This is done by refreshing internal assets such as end-user documentation, help desk materials, and administrative documents. Users using remote desktops from the Remote Desktop app should utilize Remote Desktop Connection until such support for this kind of connection is available in the Windows App. Similarly, users who are accessing Remote Desktop Services need to use RemoteApp and Desktop Connection until support required to do so is added to the Windows App.
The transition to the Windows App is part of Microsoft’s broader initiative to enhance remote work experiences and facilitate cloud-based services. While the Windows App now requires a work or school Microsoft account, there are indications that Microsoft will eventually allow personal accounts to be used within the app. This would align with the company’s long-term goal of transitioning Windows entirely to the cloud, which would enable enhanced AI-powered services and seamless roaming of users’ digital experiences.
In order to get ready for the migration, users can download the Windows App from the Microsoft Store or even from the “What’s new in Windows App” webpage. There are three known problems and limitations of the Windows App that need to be examined by users to find out about any potential difficulties while migrating. It is also suggested by Microsoft to uninstall the Remote Desktop app and update their systems as suitable in order to facilitate an easier migration to the new Windows App.