Microsoft announced that the Remote Desktop Connection app will now be called Windows App on macOS and mobile operating systems like iOS. While it’s a bonafide rebrand, the new app also launches with new features, reintroduces certain functions, and gets rid of the outdated—and often frustrating—user interface and experience.
I’ll cover everything about the new Windows app, who can use it, how to access it, and how to set it up. I’ll also explain each version’s technical requirements and limitations.
What Is Windows App?
As I’ve hinted earlier, Windows App is Microsoft’s new replacement for the Remote Desktop Connection app. Like the old platform, it allows users to access Windows remotely from various different operating systems and platforms. It is available for web browsers, Android, iPadOS, iOS, and macOS. There’s also a version for Windows PCs.
You can use it to connect to remote PCs, Azure Virtual Desktop, Microsoft Dev Box, Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Services, and Windows 365.
However, not every operating system and platform can connect to Remote Desktop Services and remote PCs. We’ll clarify how it works.
What’s New with the Windows App Release?
Windows App packs a lot of features that make it a remarkable upgrade from the older remote desktop client. Most notable is its new user interface that makes it a lot easier to navigate and manipulate Windows remotely. Other new features include the following:
- Customizable home screen: You can change the app’s display setting in the app to change the look of your home screen.
- Access Windows from multiple (supported) sources: You can access supported Windows sources like a remote PC and Windows 365 from one device using the Windows application.
- Favorites: You can pin the sources you use the most as favorites to facilitate easier access.
- Multiple accounts: The Windows app also allows you to sign in with multiple accounts and switch between them seamlessly.
- Multi-monitor support: You can use the app across multiple monitors .
- Dynamic scaling and display resolutions: This feature allows you to match your display scale and resolutions across different monitors as you see fit.
Platform Compatibility and Specifications
While the app is available for almost every operating system, there are system requirements and compatibility specifications that should be considered. Here are the things you need on any platform:
- Internet access: Microsoft recommends allowing access to Azure Virtual Desktop’s required FQDNs and endpoints.
- Azure Virtual Desktop user account: The account is required to sign you in. You should also be assigned apps and devices by your administrator.
Now let’s specify what you need for each platform:
- Windows: Windows 10 and Windows 11 Arm64 (for Arm-based devices) and x64 versions.
- macOS: From version 12.0.
- iPadOS and iOS: Version 16.0 or later.
- Android: Version 10 and up.
- Chrome OS: Version 126 and up.
- Web browser: The Windows app only works on certain desktop web browsers but is incompatible with mobile browsers. Take note of the following versions:
- Google Chrome: From version 57.
- Microsoft Edge: From version 79.
- Mozilla Firefox: From version 55.
- Apple Safari: From version 11.
Each platform connects to different devices and apps. For example, you cannot connect to remote PCs and desktop services for now when using the web and Windows versions.
How Is Windows App Different from Remote Desktop Connection?
The Remote Desktop Connection platform saw refreshes before Microsoft decided to replace it with Windows App. The latest version took away certain features from earlier iterations, such as multi-monitor support.
Those features, alongside the revamped GUI, multiple accounts, and the ability to access more than one Windows source are the new capabilities introduced in Windows App.
To be clear, Windows App can still perform all the functions of the Remote Desktop Connection program despite their differences. The new application is more of an upgrade and rebrand.
Here’s a snapshot of their differences and similarities:
| Features | Remote Desktop Connection | Windows App |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-monitor support | Yes (in some instances) | Yes |
| Supported platforms | Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, web | Windows, Android, web, iOS, iPadOS, macOS |
| Account requirement | Regular Windows and Enterprise accounts | Work and school accounts |
| Connection requirement | Private or public local or wireless area network and Internet access | Internet access |
| Audio stream | Yes | Yes |
| Display settings |
|
|
| Multiple accounts | No | Yes |
| Multiple connected devices and Windows sources | No | Yes |
| Favorites | No | Yes, you can pin favorite devices to the favorites tab |
| Remote PC connection | Yes | Only available in the macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Android, and Chrome OS versions |
How to Get Started with Windows App
How you start using Windows App depends on your operating system or platform:
- Windows: Download and install the app from the Microsoft Store.
- Android and Chrome OS: Install Windows App from the Google Play Store.
- iOS/iPadOS: Search for the application in the Apple App Store and install it.
- macOS: Download and install from the Mac App Store.
- Web browser: Go to https://windows.cloud.microsoft in a supported web browser.
As indicated earlier, you must sign in with a work or school account to use Windows App on Windows and your web browser. On every other platform, you have the option of connecting with remote PCs and workspaces. Just tap the PC connection or Workspace option.
Optimize Your Windows App Performance with Essential Tweaks
There are several settings you can tweak after installation to ensure the app runs efficiently as possible. Let’s cover them.
Tweak 1: Update your system to prevent compatibility issues
Ensure you always update the operating system where the app is installed. These could be security, driver, and system-wide updates. These new deployments ensure ongoing efficiency, shore up app security, and prevent stability problems. If you use a web browser, try to stay on the latest version.
You should also allow Windows App on platforms like iOS, iPadOS, Android/Chrome OS, Windows, and macOS to update automatically. That’s because Microsoft will deploy new features, upgrades, and hotfixes in the future, especially for the Android version which is still in preview.
Tweak 2: Adjust your privacy and security settings
Thankfully, Windows maintains the same security protocols present in the Remote Desktop Connection app, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and conditional access implemented by organizations. This is especially true for the web-based client.
Firewall and antivirus restrictions
If you use strict firewall protocols and a tough antivirus, you may have to adjust certain settings to accommodate Windows App.
For example, it could be necessary to allow the app through Windows Firewall to make connections over the internet. Here’s how:
- Open the Start menu and type “Firewall & network protection.”
- Click the first result to open the Firewall & network protection page in the Windows Security app.
- Next, click Allow an app through the firewall.
- Scroll through the Allowed apps and features list to ensure that the Windows App’s checkboxes are marked.
- If they are not marked, click the Change settings button above the list and check the boxes.
- Click OK.
Your antivirus program could also block the application if it’s considered a threat. You can head to your antivirus settings and add Windows App to its whitelist or as an exclusion.
App permissions on smartphones
Mobile operating systems like Android have certain restrictions that may prevent the application from accessing certain system resources. Go to your Settings environment to grant the permissions.
Tweak 3: Personalize your app
Windows App comes with a number of personalization options that you’ll not find in the Remote Desktop Connection application. You can do things like switching to dark background, pinning your most used devices and Windows sources as favorites, and selecting display settings.
Here’s how to pin apps and devices to the Favorites tab:
- Go to the App or Devices tab once you launch Windows App.
- Click the ellipses on the device or app and select Pin to…
- Choose Favorite from the menu.
- You can select Pin to taskbar for Microsoft Dev Box and Windows 365.
Tweak 4: Delete junk files and applications
Junk files and broken applications generally have negative impacts on system performance. They fill up hard drive space and can cause software conflicts that may affect Windows App.
You can use the Disk Cleanup tool or go through the Settings app to get rid of temporary and unneeded files.
Tweak 5: Monitor system performance
You should also monitor your computer’s performance to ensure lags and other problems you may encounter aren’t emanating from certain system issues. Apart from installing updates and removing junk files and apps, you can check your drive and RAM health when you notice issues like memory blue screen errors.
Conclusion
While the new Windows App is Microsoft’s latest upgrade to its remote connection offering, it isn’t a finished product. The company will still deploy stability and feature updates in the future to improve the overall user experience.
Head to the comments section to let us know if you prefer the old Remote Desktop Connection app to the new program.
FAQ
The program may not be stable due to numerous system issues like application conflicts, outdated system software components, memory problems, corrupt junk files, and malware. Getting rid of these issues will help you confirm that the lags and performance glitches are not tied to your computer.
That said, since the app is still pretty new, there may be issues that Microsoft intends to resolve after shipping a hotfix or update through the Microsoft Store or relevant app store. So ensure you always keep the app up to date.
