Microsoft Retires Azure RemoteApp

Today, in an announcement by Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Team, Azure RemoteApp is being retired.  Microsoft Azure RemoteApp is an application virtualization platform in the cloud.  Using Remote Desktop technology, applications can be presented to users without the need of installing anything on the user’s computer.  In addition to ease of management, it allows users to access applications securely on just about any device with internet access.  Azure RemoteApp was launched less than two years ago.

According to Microsoft’s announcement, this decision was based on customer feedback and market dynamics. The Remote Desktop Team added, “Given this, we will gradually wind down the delivery of Azure RemoteApp over the next year. We are absolutely committed to ensuring our existing Azure RemoteApp customers have a smooth transition”.  Customers currently using Azure RemoteApp will be able to continue to do so for the next year, but are urged to migrate as soon as possible.

So where do RemoteApp customers go from here?  Microsoft is recommending migrating to a partner solutions such as Citrix XenApp Express to access virtualized applications hosted in the Azure cloud.

Robert Borges

About Robert...

I have been in the IT industry since 1993 focusing mainly on networking. Though I got an early start as an amateur computer enthusiast and wrote my first database app at age 12, I started my professional career working in the MIS department of one of the largest liquor distributors in the northeast. I started out there as a systems operator on the company’s two mainframe systems. From there I moved into PC support, and help design and implement the company’s first client-server network… This was back in the days of Win NT 3.51 when I worked on my first migration to Windows NT 4.0 server.

From there I went on to work with Novell 3.x and 4.x along with Windows domains and Microsft's brand new Active Directory. Working my way up from technician to specialist, to an administrator, and eventually all the way up to Sr. Engineer. I spent many years working for MSPs/consulting firms, 9 of which I owned and operated my own firm.

Over the years, I have worked with (at an expert level) various versions of Windows client and server operating systems (including Windows 11 and Windows Server 2019); various virtualization technologies (Hyper-V, VMware, etc.); MS-SQL server 6.5- 2014 R2; Exchange 4-2019, and much more.  Over the years I have built a lot of experience around the Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 cloud environments.

I am now CTO at Infused Innovations where our team is focusing on helping clients build a Secure Intelligent Workplace through InfoSec (Zero Trusts Framework), Modern Workplace, and Business Intelligence.

I have been heavily involved in the IT user group community, including serving as president of the board of Boston User Groups, Inc., and president of IT-Pro User Group. In 2017/2018 Microsoft awarded me the Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) Award, with a focus of Microsoft Azure cloud, for my efforts in the IT community.

I am in a constant state of learning about new products, and new versions of products. Many of which we end up implementing in lab environments and sometimes for our clients. I have a very broad range of expertise and experience. It is my goal to share some of this experience on this blog to help enrich the IT community.

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