Microsoft introduced immediately that it is releasing a new app called Windows App as an app for Home windows that permits customers to run Home windows and in addition Home windows apps (it is also coming to macOS, iOS, internet browsers, and is in public preview for Android).
On most of these platforms, Windows App is a substitute for the Microsoft Distant Desktop app, which was used for connecting to a replica of Home windows working on a distant pc or server—for some customers and IT organizations, a comparatively easy method to run Home windows software program on units that are not working Home windows or cannot run Home windows natively.
The brand new identify, although probably complicated, makes an attempt to sum up the app’s goal: It is a unified method to entry your individual Home windows PCs with Distant Desktop entry turned on, cloud-hosted Home windows 365 and Microsoft Dev Field methods, and particular person remotely hosted apps which have been provisioned by your work or faculty.
“This unified app serves as your safe gateway to connect with Home windows throughout Home windows 365, Azure Digital Desktop, Distant Desktop, Distant Desktop Providers, Microsoft Dev Field, and extra,” reads the post from Microsoft’s Home windows 365 Senior Product Supervisor Hilary Braun.
Microsoft says that apart from unifying a number of providers right into a single app, Home windows App’s enhancements embody simpler account switching, higher system administration for IT directors, help for the version of Windows 365 for frontline workers, and help for Microsoft’s “Relayed RDP Shortpath,” which might allow Distant Desktop on networks that usually would not permit it.
On macOS, iOS, and Android, the Home windows App is an entire substitute for the Distant Desktop Connection app—when you have Distant Desktop put in, an replace will change it to the Home windows App. On Home windows, the Distant Desktop Connection stays out there, and Home windows App is simply used for Microsoft’s different providers; it additionally requires some sort of account sign-in on Home windows, whereas it really works with no consumer account on different platforms.
For connections to your individual Distant Desktop-equipped PCs, Home windows App has a lot of the identical options and necessities because the Distant Desktop Connection app did earlier than, together with help for a number of displays, system redirection for units like webcams and audio enter/output, and dynamic decision help (in order that your Home windows desktop resizes as you resize the app window).