Microsoft phases out legacy remote desktop app

Microsoft has announced plans to phase out its Remote Desktop app for Windows, starting May 2025, as part of the company’s ongoing pivot away from remote access tools as it streamlines its portfolio and shifts focus toward web-based experiences.

Focus now on web-based tech: The Microsoft Remote Desktop app for Windows will no longer be supported or available for download from the Microsoft Store after May 27. In a support note, Microsoft encouraged users to transition to its web-based Remote Desktop experience, accessible via compatible browsers. The web client, part of the Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 platforms, offers comparable functionality with improved accessibility and reduced dependency on local installations.

Goodbye to an old friend: The Remote Desktop app has been a go-to tool for many IT professionals, business users, and enterprises to securely access and control Windows PCs and servers remotely. Its phase-out follows Microsoft's broader strategy of pushing cloud-based, cross-platform solutions, particularly those integrated into Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 services.

It’s all about the cloud: Analysts see this move as part of Microsoft’s long-term investment in cloud-first technologies. This change does not affect the Remote Desktop Protocol itself, which remains a core part of Windows infrastructure. However, the shift away from the dedicated app underscores Microsoft’s evolving approach to hybrid work, device-agnostic access, and cloud-centric enterprise computing.