---
title: "Desktop or Apps: which mode should I choose? | PrimalDesk Docs"
description: "Choose a full Windows desktop or individual published programs in the same PrimalDesk client."
url: "https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/desktop-vs-apps"
---

# Desktop or Apps: which mode should I choose?

Choose a full Windows desktop or individual published programs in the same PrimalDesk client.

PrimalDesk offers two ways to work on a remote Windows computer. Both run your programs on the host, use your Windows account and require permission to connect. The host administrator can enable Desktop, Apps or both.

|  | Desktop | Apps |
| --- | --- | --- |
| What you see | A complete Windows desktop | Individual published application windows |
| How you start a program | Use the remote Start menu, desktop or file explorer | Choose a program from the published application list |
| Best for | Whole-desktop workflows, administration and games | Working with selected remote programs alongside local work |
| Installed client | Remote desktop with display controls | Separate windows integrated into your local desktop |
| Browser Workspace | Remote desktop inside the browser | Multiple remote windows inside the workspace tab |

## One client, two modes

You do not need a separate Apps download. **PrimalDesk Client** supports both modes. [Workspace](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/workspace.md) offers browser access, with browser-specific input, permissions and performance limitations.

Choose the mode when connecting. If the host permits only one mode, that is the mode available to you. A program missing from the Apps list must first be published by the host administrator. Some applications expect a full desktop or use window behavior that is less suitable for Apps; try Desktop for those workflows.

## Disconnecting is not signing out

Disconnecting leaves the Windows session running, subject to host policy. Signing out of Windows closes the session and its programs. Save your work before signing out in either mode. A Desktop session and an Apps session are not interchangeable views of the same session; reconnect using the mode you were working in.

This guide describes the current development and testing phase.

[Back to help center](https://docs.primaldesk.com/help-center.md)

## Explore PrimalDesk

- [PrimalDesk Docs: all pages](https://docs.primaldesk.com/llms.txt)
- [PrimalDesk: all pages](https://primaldesk.com/llms.txt)
- [Product overview](https://primaldesk.com/index.md)
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## Other pages on this site

- [PrimalDesk Docs | Multi-user Windows remote desktop](https://docs.primaldesk.com/index.md)
- [Adaptive video bitrate | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/adaptive-video-bitrate.md)
- [Connection overview | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/connection-overview.md)
- [Desktop or Apps: which mode should I choose? | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/desktop-vs-apps.md)
- [Make your first connection | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/first-connection.md)
- [GDPR and data requests | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/gdpr.md)
- [Windows compatibility | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/host-compatibility.md)
- [Firewall and ports | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/host-firewall.md)
- [Technical requirements | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/host-requirements.md)
- [Install and manage a Windows host | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/install-and-manage-host.md)
- [Mouse and keyboard controls | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/mouse-keyboard.md)
- [Work with multiple monitors | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/multiple-monitors.md)
- [Connect across different networks | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/nat-traversal.md)
- [Network quality and frame rate | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/network-quality.md)
- [RDS role and licensing | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/rds-licensing.md)
- [Fullscreen | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/remote-apps-fullscreen.md)
- [Integration | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/remote-apps-integration.md)
- [Overview | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/remote-apps-overview.md)
- [Apps publishing | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/remote-apps-publishing.md)
- [Rendering | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/remote-apps-rendering.md)
- [Apps restrictions | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/remote-apps-restrictions.md)
- [Session types | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/remote-apps-session-types.md)
- [Version support | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/remote-apps-version-support.md)
- [Audio | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/session-audio.md)
- [Clipboard | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/session-clipboard.md)
- [Input | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/session-input.md)
- [Third-party notices | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/third-party-notices.md)
- [Connection security | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/transport-security.md)
- [TURN relay | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/turn-relay.md)
- [Why does video quality change? | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/video-quality-changes.md)
- [Windows sessions | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/windows-sessions.md)
- [Workspace: connect from your browser | PrimalDesk Docs](https://docs.primaldesk.com/articles/workspace.md)
- [Windows host setup and network documentation | PrimalDesk](https://docs.primaldesk.com/docs.md)
- [Remote desktop help center | PrimalDesk](https://docs.primaldesk.com/help-center.md)