What’s Inside
Microsoft’s new Windows App is designed to stream a Windows desktop experience to phones, tablets and other mobile devices — but it’s not a consumer-facing replacement for a PC. The app acts as a client for cloud-hosted Windows environments (think Windows 365 / Azure-hosted desktops), enabling remote access to a full Windows desktop from a handheld device, provided you have a qualifying Microsoft work or school account.
What the Windows App does
At its core, the Windows App is a launcher for cloud Windows sessions. Once signed in with an eligible Microsoft account, users can connect to a Windows Virtual Desktop or Windows 365 session and interact with a full Windows UI on a phone or tablet. The app supports remote desktop functionality such as multi-monitor sessions (where supported), customizable home tiles for quick app access, and device redirection so attached peripherals can be used in the remote session.
Who can use it today
The app is currently targeted at business and education users who already have Windows cloud subscriptions or corporate Azure setups. Microsoft has not opened the Windows App to general consumer accounts yet — the initial release is exclusive to work and school tenants. That means most home users without an enterprise or education license cannot sign in and stream a desktop at this time.
Key features & limits
- Cloud-hosted Windows: Runs a server-side Windows instance — the phone displays and controls that remote desktop.
- Device redirection: Where available, USB drives, printers and other peripherals connected to the phone can be redirected into the remote desktop.
- Multi-display support: The app includes multi-monitor and display scaling support for compatible configurations, useful for tablets or when using external displays.
- No local install of Windows: This is not a local ARM Windows install; it’s remote streaming. Performance depends on your network and the cloud host’s resources.
The Windows App brings desktop-level Windows functionality to mobile devices via cloud streaming. It’s a practical solution for organizations that want secure, managed access to Windows apps on phones and tablets — but it’s not a substitute for local Windows on consumer phones. If you use Windows in an organization, check with your IT admin to see whether your tenant supports Windows App access.
