Microsoft is introducing a new set of modifications that may confuse users of its products. Following recent issues with Microsoft Teams, the organization is rebranding the Remote Desktop application to the Windows App on specific platforms.
For Windows, Microsoft intends to launch the Windows App while continuing to make the classic remote desktop applications accessible for the time being.
The Windows App
What is the Windows App precisely? Microsoft characterizes it as the “gateway to Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365, Microsoft Dev Box, Remote Desktop Services, and remote PCs.” This application can be utilized on various devices, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and even through a web browser.
Currently, the app is in a preview phase. Users of the original Microsoft Remote Desktop app on macOS and iOS will be notified via a banner about the name alteration, which indicates: “In an upcoming update for Remote Desktop, the client will be renamed to Windows App!”.
Moreover, Microsoft has created a support page to assist users in getting started; however, it does not elucidate the rationale behind the name transition. Instead, it emphasizes several features aimed at improving the remote access experience.
The features encompass:
- Support for multiple screens.
- Adjustable display resolutions.
- Dynamic display resolution with scaling options.
- Device redirection for webcams, audio, storage devices, and printers.
- Optimizations dedicated to Microsoft Teams.
Nonetheless, these features are not directly associated with the name alteration.
Not all features, referred to by Microsoft as experiences, are uniformly accessible across all platforms. The Windows App for Windows encompasses all the outlined features, while the macOS version lacks localization and Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) support. Likewise, the iOS version does not offer these features, alongside integrated application support, and the web version omits both integrated apps and URI schemes.
Additionally, functionality varies across platforms, with only the Windows App for Windows providing the complete suite of features, while the versions for other platforms possess certain restrictions. You can view the feature comparison here.
Responses to the name alteration have been varied. There’s an ongoing discussion on Reddit and Twitter regarding the matter. Some users endorse the new title, proposing it might simplify identification for non-technical users seeking the right app for Windows-related connections.
The Windows app can currently be accessed on Windows through the Microsoft Store, in conjunction with the existing remote desktop applications on the OS.
Microsoft has yet to clarify whether the new app will entirely supplant the traditional versions on Windows or if both will co-exist.
Conversely, for macOS and iOS, Microsoft has explicitly declared that the Windows App will replace the current application.
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