Microsoft Remote Desktop App is Shutting Down
If you’re still using the Remote Desktop app, now’s the time to switch.
Microsoft is pulling the plug on its Remote Desktop app for Windows, with support officially ending on May 27, 2025. If you’ve been using it to access Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, or Microsoft Dev Box, it’s time to start looking at the Windows app instead.
While this might seem like another classic case of Microsoft shuffling things around—just like it did with its Teams app recently—it’s actually part of a bigger move toward cloud-based computing.
For years, the Remote Desktop app has been a go-to for accessing remote PCs and cloud services. IT consultants, for example, rely on it to troubleshoot client issues remotely. But to be honest—it had its quirks. Multimonitor support wasn’t great, and it wasn’t built for modern cloud workflows. Microsoft has been phasing it out in favor of something more streamlined.
Emmanuel Oyedeji
That’s where the Windows app comes in. Launched in September, this new app is meant to replace Remote Desktop, offering better features like multi-monitor support, dynamic display resolutions, and a smoother experience with Microsoft Teams. Unlike Remote Desktop, which will stop working with cloud services after May 27, 2025, the Windows app is here to stay and will be the main way to access Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and other cloud PCs.
If you’re confused by Microsoft’s naming choices, you’re not alone. There’s still the Remote Desktop Connection app, which has been part of Windows for years. That one isn’t going anywhere. It runs on the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), and Microsoft has hinted that RDP support might eventually make its way into the Windows app—potentially opening the door for personal accounts in the future.
Other tech giants like Amazon and Citrix are also advancing their cloud-based remote access services, making remote work even more seamless. Microsoft clearly sees the future in cloud computing, and the Windows app is a big piece of that vision. Whether this makes remote access easier or just forces another adjustment remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure—if you’re still using the Remote Desktop app, now’s the time to switch.
