The topic Microsoft has killed the Remote Desktop app, and its replacement’s name… is currently the subject of lively discussion — readers and analysts are keeping a close eye on developments.
This is taking place in a dynamic environment: companies’ decisions and competitors’ reactions can quickly change the picture.
When it comes to naming apps, I like to think I’m not being controversial when I say that I want its name to convey what the app actually does. At the very least, it has to be unique and identifiable so I can easily find it or search for it online. By giving an app a bland, generic name, not only does it not do the app itself any justice, but it becomes a lot harder to actually find it.
I mention this because Microsoft has published a blog post revealing all the new things the Remote Desktop replacement app can do. And the name Microsoft went with is…Windows App. Yeah, I’m not a fan, either.
Microsoft is deprecating the Remote Desktop app (RDP) but there are still free alternatives you can use.
In a post over on the Windows IT Pro Blog, Microsoft goes over the new features of Windows App. The idea behind the weirdly generic name seems to stem from the app arriving on other operating systems, such as macOS, iOS, and Android, and can even work in your browser. As such, it likely conveys an element of “open this app to access Windows,” but I can’t imagine people will have a good time Googling error codes for it.
Despite its strange name, it sounds like Windows App has a lot of good features going for it. For one, Microsoft has made the app on macOS obey Apple’s navigation patterns by cleaning up the Option+Tab switcher. This means people used to macOS’s RemoteApp tools will have an easier time using Windows App. For those who want to connect via the browser, Microsoft has some nice features for you, too. As Microsoft puts it:
…Windows App on the web now supports split-screen layouts. Users accessing Windows App in a browser can work on two virtual monitors within a single browser window. This supports side‑by‑side work scenarios within a single browser window, without requiring an additional physical monitor setup.
Windows App is set to replace the Remote Desktop client for Windows, which had its support cut off on March 27th, 2026. Fortunately, Microsoft is still keeping the Remote Desktop Connection tool built into Windows, so you do not have to download Windows App to continue using it. Let’s just hope the new name doesn’t confuse the enterprise users as much as it does for me.