> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://kb.aris.college/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://kb.aris.college/english-us/aris-mydesktop-internal-access-only/simplified-explaination-of-the-difference-between-remoteapp-and-desktop.md). # Simplified explaination of the difference between RemoteApp and Desktop myDesktop is available only to specifically authorized ARIS users. ## RemoteApp

Launch ANY of these apps, and it will only launch it, no desktop, no taskbar, no wallpaper. You can click back and launch another app for multitasking.

This is what it looks like when you try to launch the app in the web client. For example, I'm launching Microsoft Access.

* Does not launch an entire Windows desktop. * Only launch and display the app you want and nothing else. * Best for users who only need access to one or two specific programs without managing a separate virtual desktop window. #### Benefits: * Provide much better performance for a specific app. * Still allows multitasking functionality. * Focus on the app you need to work on. * You don't have to navigate a second, confusing desktop environment just to do one task. #### Downsides: * May work incorrectly for some graphical apps. * Apps that requires a full desktop may not work correctly. * If you're only get used to what a Windows desktop looks like, this can be a downside. * You can only use the exact application provided. You cannot browse the remote computer's files or open other helper programs. * If your workflow requires constantly jumping between three or four different remote systems, managing separate RemoteApp windows can become messy. ## Desktop

* Launch a whole functional Windows desktop. * Shows the complete Windows desktop environment, taskbar, and start menu. * You interact with the remote operating system as if you were sitting right in front of that computer. * You can launch any apps you want. * You can launch however many apps you want. #### Benefits: * You can open multiple programs, manage files, and change settings just like a real PC. * Ideal if you need your screen to look and act exactly like your Windows computer. * Graphical application may occur less issue when trying to render on a real desktop compare to restricted RemoteApp environment. #### Downsides: * Because it streams an entire desktop environment, it requires a stronger internet connection to avoid lagging. * More resources-hungry. Meaning your cloud desktop may provide poor performance on certain task. ## Which one better? It depends on your personal preference. * RemoteApp is best for students who want things to feel familiar, because it opens just like a normal app on their own laptop without changing how their computer looks or works. * Full desktop is best for students who are already comfortable with tech and don't mind learning how to navigate a completely separate, second computer screen inside their own window. ## Conclusion * RemoteApp is best for students who only need to open one specific app for a class, like a math tool or accounting software, because it runs right on their own screen like a normal program. It opens like a normal app on your desktop. It is fast, works great on slow Wi-Fi, and won't drain your laptop battery. * Full desktop is best for tech or engineering students who need a whole virtual computer to run heavy code, save large files, and use multiple programs at the exact same time. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://kb.aris.college/english-us/aris-mydesktop-internal-access-only/simplified-explaination-of-the-difference-between-remoteapp-and-desktop.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.