Skip to main content

Microsoft just released its ‘unified gateway to Windows’ for Mac

The Surface Pro 11 on a white table in front of a window.
Luke Larsen / Digital Trends

Microsoft has launched a new Windows App for Mac that unifies the remote access Windows experience. There are even versions for iOS, iPadOS, and web browsers, with an Android version in public preview mode.

Windows App: Your gateway to Windows on any device

The Windows App will enable you to stream Windows through services such as Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, or Remote Desktop from any device — all with one app.

Recommended Videos

It features a customizable home screen, multi-monitor support, dynamic display resolutions, and peripheral redirection so you can make use of webcams and other devices. The app is aimed at the existing users of services like Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop, meaning it’s only available to people with Microsoft work and school accounts.

Screenshot of Windows app.
Microsoft

There is speculation that the cloud-based service Windows 365 could come to consumers in the future, however, fueled by Microsoft’s long-term plans to move Windows completely to the cloud. This means your Windows PC would exist not on the device you’re using but in the cloud. It would still be yours and completely private, but you’d be able to access it from anywhere and on any device. For now, however, there are no concrete plans to extend the Windows app to users with consumer accounts.

For people who use multiple compatible services, the unified app will allow them to access everything from the same place and pin favorites. There’s also an account switching feature to promote a smooth experience when moving across accounts.

The app is available on the appropriate app stores, and you can also access it on a browser without downloading anything.

Willow Roberts
Willow Roberts has been a Computing Writer at Digital Trends for a year and has been writing for about a decade. She has a…
Microsoft cracks down on Windows 11 upgrade requirements
A photo of the Sensel Click Composer Software running on Windows 11

With just a little more than a year left before Windows 10 hits its end-of-life, Microsoft has been busy encouraging people to upgrade to Windows 11. One of the hurdles with getting PCs upgraded to Windows 11, though, are the hardware requirements -- and now they're cracked down on harder.

A recent beta build of Windows 11 has patched the well-used "setup.exe /product server" workaround that allowed you to completely bypass the system requirements check and run Windows 11 on a non-compliant machine -- in other words, a machine without TPM 2.0.

Read more
The MacBook that Windows laptops still can’t beat
The keyboard of the MacBook Air.

Windows laptops have had a great year so far. Not only did we get the launch of Snapdragon X chips as part of the Copilot+ PC line to compete with the MacBook Air, but the recent AMD Ryzen 300 AI chips are also impressive, with powerful laptops like the Zenbook S 16 taking on the MacBook Pro.

More and more, Windows laptops aren't just looking like sufficient alternatives to MacBooks -- they have some serious staying power as some of the best laptops you can buy.

Read more
Windows gaming handhelds just got a huge new feature
Lies of P running on the Asus ROG Ally.

We love the ROG Ally and ROG Ally X, but Windows continues to be more of a hurdle on these devices than a benefit. Microsoft is beginning to make some progress here though, having announced an update to the Xbox Game Bar that would implement a new Compact Mode.

The Xbox Game Bar on Windows 11 has been more functional on larger monitors, where its extensive set of features could be easily accessed without overwhelming the user. However, in smaller devices, such as handheld gaming consoles or compact gaming laptops, the standard Game Bar interface feels cluttered and cumbersome. That is about to change.

Read more