Microsoft has recently announced that it will be discontinuing support for its Remote Desktop application on Windows, effective May 27th. This decision is likely to impact users who rely on this app to connect to Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, or Microsoft Dev Box, as they will need to switch to the new Windows app.
The new Windows app, which was launched in September, offers several features that are designed to enhance the user experience. Some of the key features of the new app include:
- Multimonitor support, which allows users to connect to multiple monitors and enjoy a more immersive experience
- Dynamic display resolutions, which enable users to adjust the display resolution to suit their needs
- Easy access to cloud PCs and virtual desktops, which makes it simpler for users to connect to remote machines and access their files and applications
After May 27th, connections to Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Microsoft Dev Box via the Remote Desktop app will be blocked. This means that users who currently rely on the Remote Desktop app to connect to these services will need to transition to the new Windows app in order to continue accessing their remote machines.
However, it’s worth noting that the Remote Desktop Connection app, which has been included in Windows for over 20 years, will continue to be available in Windows 11. This existing app can still be used to connect to machines, at least until the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is supported in the Windows app. The Remote Desktop Connection app has been a staple of the Windows operating system for many years, and its continued availability will provide users with a sense of continuity and familiarity.
The potential addition of RDP support in the future may also enable the use of personal accounts in the Windows app, which currently only supports work or school Microsoft accounts. This could be an important development, as it would allow users to access their personal machines and files remotely, using the same app that they use to access their work or school machines.
Microsoft’s long-term ambition is to move Windows fully to the cloud, in order to enable improved AI-powered services and full roaming of people’s digital experience. The addition of RDP support to the Windows app could be an important step towards achieving this goal.
It’s also worth noting that the decision to discontinue support for the Remote Desktop app is part of a broader trend towards cloud-based computing. As more and more applications and services move to the cloud, the need for traditional desktop apps is decreasing. The new Windows app is designed to be more cloud-friendly, and its features and functionality are geared towards users who need to access remote machines and files from anywhere.
Overall, the discontinuation of support for the Remote Desktop app is a significant development, and it’s likely to have an impact on users who rely on this app to connect to remote machines.
However, the new Windows app offers a range of features and functionality that are designed to enhance the user experience, and its continued development and improvement will be important for users who need to access remote machines and files.
As the world of computing continues to evolve and move towards the cloud, it’s likely that we’ll see more changes and developments in the way that we access and use remote machines and files.
