Microsoft Remote Desktop
Microsoft Remote Desktop is a remote connectivity application that allows Mac users to connect to and control Windows PCs, virtual desktops, and RemoteApps from their Mac over a network. Rather than running Windows directly on the Mac, it provides a lightweight client for accessing Windows environments remotely. The app is used by IT professionals, remote workers, help-desk staff, and others who need to manage or interact with Windows machines from a macOS device. It supports features like display scaling, audio redirection, clipboard sharing, and local resource access (printers and folders).
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1 suggestionMicrosoft released a native Apple Silicon build of Remote Desktop in April 2021, so your app already runs natively on M-series Macs if you are on a recent version. To ensure you have the native build, check the Mac App Store (where Remote Desktop is now distributed) and install any available updates — the store will automatically serve the native version to Apple Silicon Macs. Alternatively, Microsoft has gradually transitioned users to the newer "Windows App" (the successor to Remote Desktop), which is also available on the Mac App Store with native Apple Silicon support and includes modern features like support for Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop. If you prefer to stick with the current Remote Desktop app, simply keeping it updated via the App Store ensures you are running the native build. If you are considering a fresh installation, you may want to evaluate whether the newer Windows App suits your workflow better, as it represents Microsoft's recommended path forward for remote desktop connectivity on Mac.
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