Remote Desktop client overview
Remote Desktop enables you to connect to Windows desktops and apps on a remote computer over a network connection using the Remote Desktop Protocol. You can connect to Windows hosted in the cloud from Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365, and Microsoft Dev Box, along with Remote Desktop Services on-premises, and point-to-point connections with remote PCs.
Important
Windows App is the new way to connect all of your cloud and remote resources and replaces the Remote Desktop client. For more information, see What is Windows App?.
You can use Remote Desktop client on many different types of devices on different platforms and form factors, such as desktops and laptops, tablets, smartphones, and through a web browser. When using a web browser on a desktop or laptop, you can connect without having to download and install any software.
- Windows
- macOS
- iOS/iPadOS
- Android/Chrome OS
- Web browsers
For Windows there are multiple options:
Remote Desktop client for Windows: A standalone MSI installer. When installed, the application name is Remote Desktop.
Remote Desktop app for Windows: Comes from the Microsoft Store. When installed, the application name is Remote Desktop.
Here's a summary table that shows which Remote Desktop client you can use to connect to different resources. The table also shows the status of the Remote Desktop client as it's deprecated and replaced by Windows App.
| Client | Azure Virtual Desktop | Windows 365 | Microsoft Dev Box | Remote Desktop Services | Remote PC | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remote Desktop client for Windows | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | MSI installer available to download. |
| Remote Desktop app for Windows | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Available to download from the Microsoft Store. |
| macOS | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Not available to download. Replaced by Windows App. |
| iOS/iPadOS | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Not available to download. Replaced by Windows App. |
| Android/Chrome OS | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Available to download from the Google Play Store. |
| Web browser | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | Azure Virtual Desktop: Remote Desktop Web client. Remote Desktop Services: available to download. |
To connect to Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365, Microsoft Dev Box, and Remote Desktop Services, your administrator must have set up the resources and made them available to you. For remote PCs, you need to configure the PC you're connecting to for remote access.
There are many features you can use to enhance your remote experience, such as:
- Multiple monitor support.
- Custom display resolutions.
- Dynamic display resolutions and scaling.
- Device redirection, such as webcams, storage devices, and printers.
- Microsoft Teams optimizations.
Some features are only available with certain platforms, so it's important to check Compare the features of the Remote Desktop clients to understand the differences.
Next step
Here's a list of articles that show you how to connect to Azure Virtual Desktop, Remote Desktop Services, and remote PCs:
Use the Remote Desktop client to connect to Azure Virtual Desktop
Use the Remote Desktop client to connect to Remote Desktop Services and remote PCs: