Microsoft releases a brand new Home windows app known as Home windows App for operating Home windows apps

Microsoft introduced right this moment that it is releasing a brand new app known as Home windows App as an app for Home windows that permits customers to run Home windows and likewise Home windows apps (it is also coming to macOS, iOS, net browsers, and is in public preview for Android).

On most of these platforms, Home windows App is a alternative for the Microsoft Distant Desktop app, which was used for connecting to a replica of Home windows operating on a distant laptop or server—for some customers and IT organizations, a comparatively simple method to run Home windows software program on gadgets that are not operating Home windows or cannot run Home windows natively.

The brand new title, although probably complicated, makes an attempt to sum up the app’s function: 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 programs, and particular person remotely hosted apps which have been provisioned by your work or faculty.

“This unified app serves as your safe gateway to hook up with Home windows throughout Home windows 365, Azure Digital Desktop, Distant Desktop, Distant Desktop Companies, Microsoft Dev Field, and extra,” reads the submit 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 embrace simpler account switching, higher system administration for IT directors, assist for the model of Home windows 365 for frontline staff, and assist for Microsoft’s “Relayed RDP Shortpath,” which may allow Distant Desktop on networks that usually would not permit it.

On macOS, iOS, and Android, the Home windows App is a whole alternative for the Distant Desktop Connection app—in case you have Distant Desktop put in, an replace will change it to the Home windows App. On Home windows, the Distant Desktop Connection stays obtainable, and Home windows App is just used for Microsoft’s different providers; it additionally requires some form of account sign-in on Home windows, whereas it really works and not using a consumer account on different platforms.

For connections to your individual Distant Desktop-equipped PCs, Home windows App has many of the identical options and necessities because the Distant Desktop Connection app did earlier than, together with assist for a number of displays, system redirection for gadgets like webcams and audio enter/output, and dynamic decision assist (in order that your Home windows desktop resizes as you resize the app window).