In a move that has left many scratching their heads, Microsoft has once again demonstrated its knack for puzzling product rebrands. The tech giant's latest victim? The beloved Remote Desktop client, now christened with the vague and uninspired moniker "Windows App."
This rebrand is part of Microsoft's effort to create a "unified experience" for users accessing Windows from various sources. The Windows App serves as a hub for connecting to Windows across multiple platforms, including Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, Remote Desktop Services, and Microsoft Dev Box.
Available for Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and web browsers (with Android still in public preview), the Windows App boasts features such as device redirection, multi-monitor support, and dynamic display resolutions and scaling. In essence, it offers all the functionality users have come to expect from the Remote Desktop client.
While the app itself seems to perform well with Microsoft's services, the rebrand has left many users bewildered. One frustrated user commented, "This is the dumbest rebranding ever and has been extremely poorly communicated. They might as well have called it 'Useful Program' for all that 'Windows App' tells you about what it does."
Adding to the confusion, the Windows App requires a work or school account to function, indicating that it's not intended for general consumer use. Moreover, it doesn't replace the existing Remote Desktop Connection application that ships with Windows 11, which may come as a relief to administrators wary of yet another change in their workflow.
As Microsoft continues its transition from Remote Desktop clients to the Windows App across various platforms, one can't help but wonder if this rebrand will stand the test of time or join the ranks of other questionable Microsoft naming decisions. For now, users will have to adapt to this new, albeit confusingly named, "unified experience" for remote Windows access.