Microsoft has announced plans to end support for its Remote Desktop application in just over two months, according to a recent post on the firm’s blog.
The tool will reach end of life (EOL) on May 27 2025, at which point it will no longer be supported or available to download and install from the Microsoft store.
Users must migrate to the replacement Windows App to continue using Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Microsoft Dev Box.
Microsoft said the Windows App offers many improvements to Remote Desktop, including unified access to multiple Windows services such as Cloud PCs and virtual desktops.
It offers customizable home screens, multi-monitor support, and dynamic display resolutions, as well as enhanced remote work experiences via features like device redirection, Microsoft Teams optimizations, and account switching.
To prepare for the transition, Microsoft advised Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Microsoft Dev Box users to head straight to the Microsoft store to download the Windows App.
Remote Desktop and Remote Desktop Service users are advised to switch initially to the ‘Remote Desktop Connection’ and ‘RemoteApp and Desktop Connection’ services respectively, until these connection types are available in the Windows App.
Users should then review any known issues and feature limitations of the Windows App to get ahead of any potential migration challenges before uninstalling the Remote Desktop App.
“IT administrators can help prepare their organizations by encouraging users of Remote Desktop app for Windows to start their transition to Windows App, and by updating internal resources such as user guidance, help desk documentation, and administrative materials, as needed,” Microsoft said.
Remote Desktop alternatives are available
As Microsoft pushes users off the Remote Desktop platform, some users may want to consider what other similar platforms are available on the market.
TeamViewer is one alternative, offering remote access to computers and other devices through its platform, along with supporting tools designed for IT technicians and support agents.
The cheapest TeamViewer license costs £15.90 a month and provides access to three devices, moving up to £35.90 a month for access to 200 devices on the TeamViewer Business plan.
The TeamViewer Premium and TeamViewer Corporate plans cost £67.90 and £139.90 a month for access to 300 and 500 devices, respectively.
RELATED WHITEPAPER
Anydesk is another option for remote desk functionality, coming available in three different payment plans. The solo plan costs £19.90 for three devices, while the standard plan costs £30.90 for 20 devices and the advanced plan costs £67.90 for 100 devices.
There are also open source alternatives to Remote Desktop such as RustDesk, which can be accessed easily on almost any platform and boasts a high level of security.
RustDesk is one of the cheaper alternatives out there, priced at $9.90 a month and going up to $19.90 for a customizable plan that can include as many additional devices as needed for $0.10 per device extra a month.
MORE FROM ITPRO
- Why remote desktop tools are facing an onslaught of cyber threats
- The best TeamViewer alternatives
- Hackers are targeting Windows Quick Assist remote desktop features to deploy ransomware
-
What does modern security success look like for financial services?Sponsored As financial institutions grapple with evolving cyber threats, intensifying regulations, and the limitations of ageing IT infrastructure, the need for a resilient and forward-thinking security strategy has never been greater
-
Yes, legal AI. But what can you actually do with it? Let’s take a look…Sponsored Legal AI is a knowledge multiplier that can accelerate research, sharpen insights, and organize information, provided legal teams have confidence in its transparent and auditable application
-
Microsoft 365 price hikes have landed the tech giant in hot waterNews Australian regulators have filed a lawsuit against Microsoft for allegedly misleading users over Microsoft 365 pricing changes.
-
Microsoft issues fix for Windows 11 update that bricked mouse and keyboard controls in recovery environment – here's what you need to knowNews Yet another Windows 11 update has caused chaos for users
-
Windows 10 end of life could create a major e-waste problemNews The study marks the latest Windows 10 end of life e-waste warning
-
Microsoft Office 2016 and 2019 are heading for the scrapheap next month – but there could be a lifeline for those unable to upgradeNews The tech giant has urged Office 2016 and Office 2019 users to upgrade before the deadline passes
-
UK government programmers trialed AI coding assistants from Microsoft, GitHub, and Google – here's what they foundNews Developers participating in a trial of AI coding tools from Google, Microsoft, and GitHub reported big time savings, with 58% saying they now couldn't work without them.
-
Salesforce says ‘Microsoft’s anticompetitive tying of Teams' harmed business in triumphant response to EU concessions agreementNews Microsoft has agreed to make versions of its Office solutions suite available without Teams – and at a reduced price
-
US Senator calls for Microsoft FTC probe over ‘gross cybersecurity negligence’ – Ron Wyden claims the tech giant has provided ‘dangerous, insecure software’ to the US governmentNews Ron Wyden, a Democratic senator from Oregon, has written to the chair of the FTC calling for an investigation into Microsoft's cyber practices.
-
Microsoft touts new Copilot features in Excel, but says you shouldn’t use them if you want accurate resultsNews Microsoft has warned against using new AI features in Excel for “tasks with legal, regulatory, or compliance implications” – so when can you use it?
