Microsoft is discontinuing the Remote Desktop application currently used by some customers to access Exostar Managed Secure Desktop (EMSD). To maintain uninterrupted access to EMSD, all users must install and use a supported version of Microsoft Windows App. Please view this page for more details: Exostar Microsoft Secure Desktop Important Notice.
Who is affected?
This change affects all EMSD users:
– If you currently use Microsoft Remote Desktop to access EMSD, you must move to Microsoft Windows App.
– If you already use Microsoft Windows App, you must verify that you are running the approved version.
– If your organization manages software installations centrally, please share this notice with your IT administrator or internal support team.
What is changing?
Beginning September 28, 2026, users must access EMSD through Microsoft Windows App. The current Remote Desktop application will no longer provide supported access to EMSD.
What is not changing?
Your EMSD environment is not changing. Your existing credentials, applications, access permissions, and EMSD login process will remain the same. Only the Microsoft application used to connect to EMSD is changing.
Severity: High Users who do not install the supported version of Microsoft Windows App may experience connection failures, degraded performance, or loss of access to EMSD.
What is Exostar’s Managed Secure Desktop?
Exostar’s Managed Secure Desktop allows customer to access a certified desktop that allows access to CUI with multiple suppliers in a consistent manner and keep track of all documentation between them, while remaining compliant with CMMC 2.0 level 2 / NIST SP 800-171 and US Export Control (ITAR, EAR, etc).
Features and Roles
Key Features include:
- Sponsor Administrator Dashboard: Allows customer administrator to add/remove users, assign users access to Secure Desktop instances and add domains that are allowed for use.
- Member (User) Dashboard: Individual users will be able to view their assigned Secure Desktop instance, monthly usage and login to their Secure Desktop via the Microsoft Windows App
NOTE: Exostar’s Managed Secure Desktop (EMSD) Admins and Users will be managed by the Exostar Admin who provides overall management of the customer admins and users.
Roles:
Sponsor Admin
- View License Used/Purchased
- View current monthly usage
- View hours purchased per month
- View login activity per user
- Add User to AVD Instance
- Add User with Assigned Role
- View Managed Desktop Configuration information
- Add and edit allowed domains
Member
- View AVD Dashboard
- View AVD Instance Tile
- View AVD Instance Monthly Usage
- View All AVD Session Usage
- Login to AVD via Windows App