Remote Desktop Services (RDS) is the platform of choice to cost-effectively host Windows desktops and applications. This offering is designed to help you quickly create a RDS on IaaS deployment for testing and proof-of-concept purposes. The Windows client automatically defaults to Windows Virtual Desktop (classic). However, if the client detects additional Azure Resource Manager resources, it adds them automatically or notifies the user that they're available. Use a specific URL Select Subscribe with URL from the main page. In the wake of the Azure RemoteApp platform retirement, Microsoft highlighted a number of alternatives including, most predominantly, Citrix XenApp Essentials and MyCloudIT. Both are platforms similar to Azure RemoteApp, but built as an overlay to manage Infrastructure-a-a-Service. The main difference between the 2 alternatives is cost. For steps on how to do this, see Publish Remote Desktop with Azure AD Application Proxy. How Azure AD App Proxy works in an RDS deployment. Configure the Remote Desktop web client. Next, complete setup by enabling the Remote Desktop web client for user access. See details on how to do this at Set up the Remote Desktop web client for your users. In Remote Desktop Connection, type the name of the PC you want to connect to (from Step 1), and then select Connect. On your Windows, Android, or iOS device: Open the Remote Desktop app (available for free from Microsoft Store, Google Play, and the Mac App Store), and add the name of the PC that you want to connect to (from Step 1).
Since everyone started working remotely, I've personally needed to Remote Desktop into more computers lately than ever before. More this week than in the previous decade.
I wrote recently about to How to remote desktop fullscreen RDP with just SOME of your multiple monitors which is super useful if you have, say, 3 monitors, and you only want to use 2 and 3 for Remote Desktop and reserve #1 for your local machine, email, etc.
IMHO, the Remote Desktop Connection app is woefully old and kinda Windows XP-like in its style.
There is a Windows Store Remote Desktop app at https://aka.ms/urdc and even a Remote Desktop Assistant at https://aka.ms/RDSetup that can help set up older machines (earlier than Windows 10 version 1709 (I had no idea this existed!)
The Windows Store version is nicer looking and more modern, but I can't figure out how to get it to Remote into an Azure Active Directory (AzureAD) joined computer. I don't see if it's even possible with the Windows Store app. Let me know if you know how!
So, back to the old Remote Desktop Connection app. Turns out for whatever reason, you need to save the RDP file and open it in a text editor.
Add these two lines at the end (three if you want to save your username, then include the first line there)
Note that you have to use the style .AzureADemail@domain.com
The leading .AzureAD is needed - that was the magic in front of my email for login. Then enablecredsspsupport along with authentication level 2 (settings that aren't exposed in the UI) was the final missing piece.
Add those two lines to the RDP text file and then open it with Remote Desktop Connection and you're set! Again, make sure you have the email prefix.
The Future?
Given that the client is smart enough to show an error from the remote machine that it's Azure AD enabled, IMHO this should Just Work.
More over, so should the Microsoft Store Remote Desktop client. It's beyond time for a refresh of these apps.
Azure Remote Desktop Download
NOTE: Oddly there is another app called the Windows Desktop Client that does some of these things, but not others. It allows you to access machines your administrators have given you access to but doesn't allow you (a Dev or Prosumer) to connect to arbitrary machine. So it's not useful to me.
There needs to be one Ultimate Remote Windows Desktop Client that lets me connect to all flavors of Windows machines from anywhere, is smart about DPI and 4k monitors, remotes my audio optionally, and works for everything from AzureAD to old school Domains.
Between these three apps there's a Venn Diagram of functionality but there's nothing with the Union of them all. Yet.
Until then, I'm editing RDP files which is a bummer, but I'm unblocked, which is awesome.
Remote Desktop Services Azure
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About Scott
Scott Hanselman is a former professor, former Chief Architect in finance, now speaker, consultant, father, diabetic, and Microsoft employee. He is a failed stand-up comic, a cornrower, and a book author.
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Remote Desktop Azure App Service
Use Remote Desktop on your Windows, Android, or iOS device to connect to a Windows 10 PC from afar.
Set up the PC you want to connect to so it allows remote connections:
Make sure you have Windows 10 Pro. To check, go to Start > Settings > System > About and look for Edition. For info on how to get it, go to Upgrade Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro.
When you're ready, select Start > Settings > System > Remote Desktop, and turn on Enable Remote Desktop.
Make note of the name of this PC under How to connect to this PC. You'll need this later.
Use Remote Desktop to connect to the PC you set up:
On your local Windows 10 PC: In the search box on the taskbar, type Remote Desktop Connection, and then select Remote Desktop Connection. In Remote Desktop Connection, type the name of the PC you want to connect to (from Step 1), and then select Connect.
On your Windows, Android, or iOS device: Open the Remote Desktop app (available for free from Microsoft Store, Google Play, and the Mac App Store), and add the name of the PC that you want to connect to (from Step 1). Select the remote PC name that you added, and then wait for the connection to complete.