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Microsoft has introduced a new Windows App available on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Windows, and web browsers, transforming the previous Windows 365 app into a centralized hub for streaming Windows from various sources. Users can stream a copy of Windows from a remote PC, Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365, Microsoft Dev Box, and Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Services. The app supports multiple monitors, custom display resolutions and scaling, and device redirection for peripherals such as webcams, storage devices, and printers. While the preview version is not yet accessible on Android, it is currently limited to Microsoft's range of business accounts, with indications that consumer access may be available in the future.
Despite Microsoft's longstanding presence in remote PC connectivity with apps like Remote Desktop Connection, the introduction of a dedicated "Windows App" and its focus on cloud-powered services could signify broader ambitions to move Windows fully to the cloud. This aligns with Microsoft's goal, as revealed during the FTC v. Microsoft hearing, to transition Windows to the cloud for consumers, following its existing offering for businesses through Windows 365.
The new "Windows and Web Experiences" team at Microsoft, created after Panos Panay's departure, is likely to play a crucial role in developing AI-powered web services for Windows, evident in the web-centric features introduced in Windows 11. The Windows App may pave the way for consumers to access cloud PCs and Windows applications on devices not running Microsoft's operating system.
