Using Windows Remotely

Three Microsoft technologies allow users to connect to Windows and run Windows desktop applications when away from their primary PCs. The technologies also allow use of Windows applications on tablets, Macs, and other client devices that do not run Windows. Remote Windows technologies can enhance security and simplify management, particularly for mobile users, but each technology offers different technical and licensing trade-offs.

Server-Based Desktops

With a server-based desktop, Windows applications run on multiple servers in a data center, and the user connects to the applications from a client device. This is not to be confused with application virtualization (App-V), which allows specially prepared applications to be rapidly downloaded, installed, and run on a Windows PC. With server-based desktops, the only software installed and run on the client device is a Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) client, which is a thin layer of software used to send the user input to the remote server and display the graphical output from the server on the user’s local device.