You Can Use a Windows Application to Access Your Computer Remotely or From the Cloud.
Now there are several ways to use Windows. In addition to sitting in front of a locally installed copy of Windows running on the hard drive of your desktop or laptop, you can also run the Microsoft Windows application, a one-stop central hub for managing connections to remote PCs and Windows in the cloud.
The Windows app is available for Windows (as you’d expect), as well as macOS , iOS , iPadOS , and (currently in preview) Android . First released in September 2024, the program provides support for multiple monitors and local USB peripherals, so you can continue to use your own webcam (for example) with a cloud copy of Windows.
It’s likely that significantly more people will be introduced to the Windows app over the next few months: Microsoft has announced that the Remote Desktop app in the Microsoft Store (rather than the standalone MSI installer) will be removed in May, and that users should switch to using the Windows app instead.
At least for now, you need a Microsoft work or school account to use the Windows app—so far, Microsoft hasn’t said anything about individual consumers gaining access. If you meet the eligibility criteria, here’s how the Windows app works and the different features it gives you access to.
Windows application interface
The Windows app’s interface is quite simple and is essentially a minimalistic portal for Windows computers that you connect to remotely or stream from the cloud. There is also a section for remotely hosted applications that you have access to at work or school.
If you work in any kind of IT department, you may well have a lot of these devices and apps to manage and connect to, and there are simple tools for viewing different icons and thumbnails: for example, you can mark certain devices and apps as favorites, which will put them in their own section.
Workspaces can be expanded or collapsed, displayed in a list or grid, and filtered in a variety of ways—so you can keep the Windows settings you last connected to at the top of the screen, for example, alphabetize them, or manually arrange them as you see fit.
When you connect to another Windows computer, it’s very similar to a local installation (Internet bandwidth permitting). The Windows application provides the necessary synchronization with input devices, and you can configure the connection in various ways – for example, what screen resolution is displayed on the remote Windows PC.
In addition to the aforementioned USB peripheral support and multi-monitor support, you can also set up audio and video streaming (such as speakers and microphones), folder redirection, and set up universal clipboard access to make it easier to transfer files and data between your local device and the remote one.
Supported remote connections
Connections can be established with a couple of clicks (or taps). A Windows app can remotely access other Windows computers as long as they’re running Windows Professional, Windows Enterprise, or Windows Server—in case you haven’t figured it out, it’s not currently intended for regular Windows users.
The computer you connect to requires some configuration, in part to prevent you from logging into complete strangers’ machines. This setup process gives you the details you need to connect from the other end, and gives you a convenient way to connect to your office computer while you’re at home (or vice versa).
The Windows app also supports Windows 365 , where you essentially stream your Windows PC over the Internet (like a less immersive version of cloud gaming). Again, this is primarily aimed at businesses and educational institutions, with prices starting at $31 per user per month, and there’s no indication that consumers will be able to rent their own cloud-based Windows PC anytime soon.
There are other connectivity options of interest to IT professionals, including Azure Virtual Desktop and Microsoft Dev Box, so it’s a comprehensive tool for accessing Windows from anywhere in the world. Reviews of the Microsoft Store version suggest it’s far from bug-free (and there are some known limitations ), but many negative reviews are simply complaints that the software is only for work and school accounts.
Once the connection is established, you’ll be able to access features like secondary monitor support – this even works on mobile devices, potentially giving you an easier way to run Windows from your phone or tablet. These mobile devices can also run the app in both portrait and landscape modes and dynamically switch between them.