Windows app version and client version - Does both components upgrade automatically to latest version?

Question

When I launch windows app, and go to settings. I get the below details

Windows App version 2.0.706.0

Client version 1.2.6515.0

what is this client version?

If this is the remote desktop client app version, then why is not upgrading to latest version along with the windows app version?

In URL - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-app/whats-new?tabs=windows

I see only the windows app version and not the client version. Hence can someone help understand what is this client version? If this is same as remote desktop client app version?

Answer 1

Hello @Nazeer, Shalomon !

The “Client version” you see in Windows App → Settings is not a separate app that you need to update manually. It refers to the embedded Remote Desktop client engine (RDP core) that the Windows App relies on to establish and manage remote connections.

• Windows App version: This is the version of the Windows App shell itself — the UI, features, and container you install from the Microsoft Store. It’s the version Microsoft documents in the Windows App “What’s New” page.
• Client version: This represents the version of the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) engine bundled inside the Windows App. It’s essentially the same technology as the standalone “Remote Desktop (MSRDC)” client, but packaged and versioned separately. Microsoft exposes this number in Settings mainly for diagnostics and support purposes.

You don’t update this client separately, and it won’t necessarily match the version of the standalone Remote Desktop client.

---

Why it doesn’t match the standalone Remote Desktop client

• The standalone Remote Desktop client (MSRDC) follows its own release cadence.
• The Windows App includes a tested, fixed RDP engine build, which may lag behind or differ from the latest standalone client.
• The Client version only changes when Microsoft ships a new Windows App release that incorporates an updated RDP engine. Not every Windows App update includes a new engine.

---

Why it’s not in the release notes

• Microsoft only publishes release notes for the Windows App version.
• The Client version is treated as an internal component, so there’s no separate public changelog. It’s shown in Settings for troubleshooting, but not tracked in the official documentation.

---

I hope this clears things up! If this explanation resolves your question, please consider marking it as the accepted answer — it’ll help others who run into the same confusion.

Answer 2

@Nazeer, Shalomon

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A Platform. Thank you for reaching out & hope you are doing well.

Based on findings we can suggest here about client version refers to the Remote Desktop engine within your Windows App, which may be taken from the legacy Remote Desktop client, maintained as a separate module within the app itself

Latest release details : https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/remote-desktop-client/whats-new-windows?tabs=windows-msrdc-msi#latest-release

Please refes about the latest updates for Windows App for Windows : https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-app/whats-new?tabs=windows

Windows App receives regular updates through staged rollouts and updates to the client version are grouped mostly in larger app releases so there is mismatch.

The client version is taken as an internal component and does not have a separate standalone updater.

So, if the Windows App is updating but the client version doesn't appear to update.

Then Microsoft has not bundled a new Remote Desktop client version in the latest app update and it's not an error. Later the app will receive a bundled client update when Microsoft determines it's needed for security reasons.

We recommend to continue updating the Windows App itself from official channels. - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-app/whats-new?tabs=windows

Microsoft's troubleshooting documentation for specifics client component issues : https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/remote-desktop-client/troubleshoot-client-windows-basic-shared?tabs=avd#basic-troubleshooting

Kindly let us know if the suggested steps helps or you need further assistance on this issue.

Regards

Himanshu