Microsoft set to discontinue its Remote Desktop app for Windows on May 27th

Microsoft is set to discontinue its Remote Desktop app for Windows on May 27th. However, the Remote Desktop Connection app, which has been integrated into Windows for over two decades, will remain available. Users who rely on the Remote Desktop app to access Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, or Microsoft Dev Box will need to switch to the new Windows app.

Launched in September, the new Windows app features support for multiple monitors, dynamic display resolutions, and streamlined access to cloud PCs and virtual desktops. Microsoft has announced that connections to Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Microsoft Dev Box through the Remote Desktop app from the Microsoft Store will be restricted after May 27th, 2025.

It is important to distinguish the existing Remote Desktop app from the Remote Desktop Connection app that has been part of Windows for many years. The latter will continue to function in Windows 11 post-May 27th, and users can still connect to machines until the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is integrated into the Windows app.

The reference to RDP support suggests that Microsoft may eventually allow personal accounts to be used with the Windows app. Currently, access is limited to users with work or school Microsoft accounts, despite the company's long-term goal of transitioning Windows entirely to the cloud to facilitate enhanced AI-driven services and seamless digital experiences.