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On March 27, 2026, the Remote Desktop Client standalone installer (MSI) for Windows will reach end of support. IT administrators must migrate users to Windows App to ensure continued access to remote resources like Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365, and Microsoft Dev Box. Security updates will be provided until the end-of-support date, after which the MSI installer will no longer be available.
You Should Know:
1. Migrating from MSI to Windows App
- Verify Current RDP Client Version:
Get-ItemProperty "HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall*" | Where-Object {$_.DisplayName -like "*Remote Desktop*"} | Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion - Uninstall Legacy MSI Version:
msiexec /x "{MSI_PRODUCT_CODE}" /quiet - Install Windows App (WinGet):
winget install Microsoft.RemoteDesktopClient
2. Configuring Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) Connections
- Export Existing RDP Shortcuts:
Get-ChildItem "C:\Users*\Desktop*.rdp" | Export-Csv -Path "RDP_Backup.csv" -NoTypeInformation
- Import into Windows App:
Manually recreate connections or use Azure Virtual Desktop ARM templates for automated deployment.
3. Security Hardening for Remote Sessions
- Enforce Network Level Authentication (NLA):
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations\RDP-Tcp" -Name "UserAuthentication" -Value 1
- Restrict RDP Access via Firewall:
netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group="Remote Desktop" new enable=Yes action=Allow
4. Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Check RDP Listening Port:
netstat -ano | findstr 3389
- Reset RDP Certificates:
Remove-Item -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\RCM*" -Force
What Undercode Say:
The shift from MSI-based RDP to Windows App underscores Microsoft’s push toward cloud-integrated remote access. Key takeaways:
– Legacy systems relying on MSI must migrate before March 2026.
– Automation (WinGet, PowerShell) simplifies deployment.
– Security remains critical—enforce NLA, firewall rules, and certificate management.
For advanced users, consider RDP alternatives like FreeRDP (Linux) or Royal TS for multi-protocol management.
Expected Output:
- Migrated RDP clients via Windows App.
- Validated secure connections to Azure/Windows 365.
- Backup of legacy RDP configurations.
References:
Reported By: Phuong Nguyen – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
