HOW TO · IPAD
Use your iPad to connect to a Windows 11 Pro cloud PC. Windows runs remotely; this guide takes you from choosing a Jump-Desk to the connection steps in a supported client.
TLDR
To run Windows on an iPad, create a Windows 11 Jump‑Desk, install Microsoft Windows App Mobile from the App Store, start the Jump‑Desk, download its connection file and open that file in Windows App. Your iPad becomes the screen and controls for the remote Windows computer.
BEFORE YOU CHOOSE
This can suit a Windows-only task that your iPad or browser app cannot complete. Use a supported remote desktop client and a reliable internet connection; a keyboard and pointer can make desktop work easier.
Check your exact app, licence, iPad and accessories before committing to the workflow.
Watch the iPad connection guide →Hours: running compute plus a service charge for the time you retain the desktop, including when stopped.
Months: compare a monthly subscription with up to 300 hours of uptime.
Estimate Hours vs MonthsNo account needed for the estimate. Current regional prices, available configurations and the final checkout total determine your purchase.
Before you begin
The complete setup
Open the App Store and install Windows App Mobile from Microsoft Corporation. It was previously named Microsoft Remote Desktop or Remote Desktop Mobile, so older tutorials may use those names.
You do not need to sign in to Windows App with a Microsoft work or school account merely to connect to a Jump‑Desk as a remote PC. Install the app first; the Jump‑Desk connection file will open in it later.
If Windows App asks for Bluetooth or local-network permission, allow the access you intend to use. Bluetooth permission is relevant if you connect a Bluetooth keyboard, mouse or another supported accessory.
Get Windows App Mobile
Go to Jump‑IT, create an account and select Create Jump‑Desk. You will choose an available location, billing plan and performance tier. Check the live price shown during creation because prices vary by location, tier, plan and currency.
On smaller screens, swipe sideways to compare every column.
| Plan | Usually makes sense when |
|---|---|
| Hours | You need Windows irregularly or for short projects and can reliably stop the machine after use. Usage is charged while it is started and running; a separate service fee applies for persistent storage and the public IP while the Jump‑Desk exists. |
| Months | You expect regular use during a particular month and want a predictable subscription with the stated monthly uptime allowance. |
| Years | You require ongoing access throughout the year and the annual commitment is better value for your actual usage pattern. |
Start with the workload, not the biggest tier
For browser, Office and light administrative work, begin by reviewing Standard. Jump‑IT currently lists Standard with 2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM and 128 GB storage. Choose Pro or Pro+ when your applications genuinely need more memory, CPU capacity or faster storage.
Choose an available location reasonably close to where you will normally use the iPad. Physical distance is not the only cause of latency, but a closer region usually gives the connection a better starting point. Available locations can change, so use the live choices shown during creation rather than relying on an old region list.
Complete checkout and allow Jump‑IT to create the Windows environment. Provisioning time can vary with the selected location and current cloud capacity. Keep the dashboard open until provisioning has succeeded.
From the Jump‑IT dashboard, select your Jump‑Desk and use the power control to start it. Wait until its status is Running before attempting to connect. The dashboard also shows the Windows username and provides controls to reveal, copy or reset the password. Keep these credentials private because they provide administrative access to the Windows machine.
If provisioning fails
Do not repeatedly create another machine while the first is still being prepared. Check the displayed status and contact support rather than paying for an unnecessary duplicate.
With the Jump‑Desk running, select the dashboard’s connection or download control. Jump‑IT generates an .rdp connection file containing the settings needed to reach that Jump‑Desk.
If Safari asks whether to download the file, confirm the download. Open Safari’s Downloads list or the iPad Files app and select the .rdp file. If iPadOS asks which app to use, choose Windows App. You can also use the Share menu and choose Open in Windows App if it is offered.
Windows App may ask you to confirm that you trust the remote PC. Check that you opened the connection file generated by your own Jump‑IT dashboard, then continue.
When prompted, enter the Jump‑Desk username and password shown in the dashboard. These are the remote Windows credentials; they are not necessarily the same as your Jump‑IT account password or Apple ID. After authentication, the Windows 11 desktop will open on the iPad.
Windows App supports features including audio and video streaming, clipboard and folder redirection, microphones, cameras and external monitors. A specific feature still depends on the client, connection settings and remote application. See the official Windows App Mobile listing.
Inside the session, use the Jump‑Desk like a Windows PC. Download and install compatible applications, sign in with your own software licences and save your work to the Jump‑Desk or an appropriate cloud-storage service.
Do not assume every Windows program will work perfectly. Applications that depend on a physical USB device, specialist driver, hardware licence dongle, anti-cheat system or unsupported graphics hardware may not work through a remote session. Check the software vendor’s system and licensing requirements before choosing a tier.
This is the most important cost-control step. Closing Windows App or disconnecting the remote session does not necessarily stop the Jump‑Desk. If an Hours machine remains running, running-time charges can continue.
Cost warning
Treat “disconnect” and “stop” as different actions. Disconnecting closes your view. Stopping powers down the cloud computer.
Watch the connection
Follow the dashboard in a tablet-sized browser, then see the steps to continue in Windows App on iPad.
Watch the complete workflow, then use the written setup steps for configuration details, cost controls and troubleshooting.
YOUR WORKING PATTERN · OCCASIONAL, RECURRING OR TEAM
Start with your expected running hours and how long you will keep the desktop. Hours can suit occasional work; Months offers a full monthly subscription for recurring work. Choose personal access or Jump-Teams separately from the billing plan. Check the available region, performance tier and complete total before purchase.
Compare prepaid Hours when you need one Windows application, a short project or an irregular routine. Its complete cost is running compute plus a service charge for every retained hour, including when stopped.
Configure personal HoursCheck both rates and your retained days. Wallet funding can differ from estimated consumption. Save your work and stop the desktop after each session; the retained service charge continues.
Choose a personal Months desktop when you manage your own applications, files and Windows sign-in. Keep the project environment available between sessions and reconnect from your supported iPad client.
Configure personal MonthsAfter signing in: check Jump-Desk, Monthly, region and tier. The displayed monthly price is per desktop for the full billing cycle, with up to 300 hours of uptime.
Use Jump-Teams when an owner needs to organise people and desktops. Select an existing Team you can manage, or follow the first-Team setup. Compare Hours for occasional work with Months for recurring roles; decide Windows access separately from Team responsibilities.
Creating a Team is free; each desktop has its own paid plan. Hours includes running compute plus retained service, even when stopped. Months charges the full monthly fee with up to 300 uptime hours per desktop. One person can actively use a Windows desktop at a time; plan separate desktops for simultaneous workers.
Compare complete costs for either access route. The live cost calculator includes running compute and retained service for Hours and the full Months charge. Months is not automatically cheaper. Add applicable taxes, software licences and optional extras; confirm the final checkout total. Creating a Team does not change either charging model.
The images demonstrate Jump-IT setup controls, not a completed Windows application task or an iPad hardware test. Availability, payment and access must be confirmed for your own account.
An iPad can be the connection device for a business Windows environment that is used throughout the month. For example, an operations colleague may keep licensed quotation, costing and document applications on a Jump-Desk, then reconnect to continue the same project. Windows runs on the remote computer; installing Windows App does not install those business applications on the iPad.
Check Microsoft’s current Windows App Mobile compatibility requirements on the intended device. Rehearse the actual application, keyboard or pointer, network and any required peripheral before choosing an ongoing plan. A supported client is not a guarantee that every Windows workflow is comfortable on a tablet.
For a team, give the colleague their own Jump-IT identity and appropriate Windows access. Team roles are separate from Windows privileges and application permissions. One active Windows user can use a Jump-Desk at a time. The iPad Teams guide covers this team-specific path.
For recurring use, compare Months with the full Hours estimate. Months charges the full monthly price with up to 300 uptime hours per desktop. Hours charges running compute plus service while retained, including when stopped. The current example above shows why a lighter-use person may still favour Hours. Use the team budget worksheet for ongoing roles, and save and stop the desktop when work finishes; closing the iPad app is a different action.
Yes, you can use a full Windows 11 desktop on an iPad. Windows is not installed directly on the iPad. Instead, a Jump‑Desk runs Windows in the cloud, while Microsoft’s Windows App displays and controls it from your iPad. In practical terms, it works as an on-demand cloud PC for iPad, giving you access to compatible Windows desktop apps without installing Windows locally.
For occasional or part-time PC use, this can be more practical than buying, maintaining and carrying a second computer. You start your Jump‑Desk when you need Windows, use your desktop applications and files, then stop it when you finish. You will need a reliable internet connection, and the experience is best with a keyboard and mouse or trackpad.
A full Windows 11 desktopUse compatible desktop applications and familiar Windows workflows from the iPad you already own.
Official Microsoft clientConnect through Microsoft Windows App Mobile rather than an imitation Windows interface.
Made for part-time PC useStart Windows when a task needs it, keep the same workspace and stop the cloud computer when finished.
The essentials
How it works
An iPad does not natively boot or install the standard PC version of Windows. Jump‑Desk uses remote desktop technology: Windows runs on a remote computer, and your iPad receives the picture and sends back your keyboard, pointer and touch input.
Microsoft describes Windows App as software for connecting remotely to Windows devices and applications. It officially supports iOS and iPadOS, including direct connections to remote PCs. Read Microsoft’s Windows App overview.
Good to know
Jump‑Desk is not an iPad Windows emulator and it does not replace iPadOS. You can switch between your normal iPad apps and Windows App whenever you need to.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Create the desktop in Jump-IT, then use its connection details in the supported Windows App client. A keyboard and pointer make desktop work easier; Windows runs remotely, not on iPadOS.
Configure your Jump-DeskMade for your everyday device
If the iPad already handles most of your work, a second computer creates another purchase, charger, battery, operating system and device to maintain. Jump‑Desk adds Windows as an on-demand workspace instead.
Your iPad remains your everyday device. Open Windows only for tasks that genuinely require it, then return to iPadOS for everything else.
Some iPad apps are excellent, but mobile and web versions can omit desktop features, extensions or established workflows. A Jump‑Desk provides a Windows 11 environment where you can install compatible desktop software instead of forcing every job into an iPad-native alternative.
For a temporary project or irregular use, an hourly cloud desktop can be financially rational because it avoids buying a PC that spends most of its life unused. It is not automatically cheaper in every case: frequent, long sessions can eventually make owning a Windows computer the better-value choice.
Your installed applications, settings and files remain on the Jump‑Desk while the machine exists. Stopping it ends the running session; it does not wipe the desktop. Deleting the Jump‑Desk is different and permanently removes its resources, so export anything important first.
Choose what fits
On smaller screens, swipe sideways to compare every column.
| Your situation | Most sensible starting point |
|---|---|
| The task works fully in an iPad app or browser | Stay with the native iPad solution. It is simpler and works better offline. |
| You occasionally need a Windows-only program or full desktop feature | Jump‑Desk is the strongest fit. It adds Windows without requiring another physical computer. |
| You work in Windows for most of every day | Compare the total Jump‑Desk cost with buying a suitable Windows PC. Ownership may be cheaper over time. |
| You need Windows without reliable internet | Buy or use a physical Windows computer. Remote desktop is the wrong tool. |
| You need specialist USB, PCIe or other physical hardware | Use a physical machine known to support that hardware. |
| You need highly latency-sensitive gaming or professional real-time media work | Test the exact workload first. A general cloud desktop and remote connection may not meet the requirement. |
| You need Windows for a course, contract or short project | An hourly or time-limited Jump‑Desk avoids buying a machine for a temporary requirement. |
Keep the costs clear
Estimate both the time Windows runs and the time you keep the desktop. For example, eight running hours with the desktop retained for seven full days means eight compute hours and 168 service hours. Retained time includes the running time; the service charge also continues while the desktop is stopped.
| Part of the comparison | Illustrative input |
|---|---|
| Hours compute | 8 × the current hourly compute rate |
| Hours service | 168 × the current hourly service rate |
| Months | The full monthly price for the same region, tier and currency, with up to 300 uptime hours per desktop per month |
This is a usage pattern, not a price quotation or a claim that one plan is always cheaper. Do not prorate the monthly price to seven days. Use the live cost calculator for your own routine, then review availability, applicable tax and the final checkout terms. Choose capacity against the application’s requirements; save your work and confirm Stopped when you finish. Export what you need before deleting a desktop, because deletion removes it.
Understand the plan
Eligible Hours desktops use prepaid funding. Compute charges apply while running, and the separate service charge continues while the desktop is retained. Stopping the desktop preserves its files and ends running compute charges; deleting it permanently removes the desktop. Review the wallet, current rates and funding permissions in Jump-IT before creating one.
For regular work, Months includes up to 300 hours of uptime per desktop each month. Review the current Years option when a longer commitment suits the requirement. Each desktop has its own plan, region and performance tier.
Compare current plans →SEE THE PRODUCT IN ACTION
A closer look
These recordings show the current Jump-IT interface with demonstration data. Use the controls to pause, replay or view a recording full screen.
Name your desktop, choose a region and plan, and review the configuration before checkout.
Find the display settings, adapt the connection to your screen, and download the connection file.
CURRENT WORKFLOWS · SEPTEMBER 2026
Put it into practice
Picture a consultant using an iPad between client visits while keeping a complete Windows workspace for desktop Excel, a specialist business application and project folders. Prepare the applications and accounts the role needs on a Jump-Desk. For example, update a client quotation in a permitted copy of the actual workbook, check its required add-ins and produce the customer-ready PDF. This checks the working process the consultant needs, including the application version, licence, input and file destination.
| Check | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Application | The required version, add-ins and licence fit the intended remote or virtual Windows use. |
| Input and connection | The keyboard, pointer, display and essential accessories work through your supported client on your usual network. |
| Finished result | You can open the file, make the needed change, save, export and reopen the result where you will use it. |
| End of the session | You know where the file is saved and how to stop the desktop from the dashboard. Keep a separate backup/export process. |
Windows runs on the cloud PC; iPadOS remains on your iPad. Offline work and specialist peripherals require a separate assessment. A successful application launch alone does not establish that the complete workflow fits.
For a colleague working from an iPad, Jump-Teams provides their own account and an assigned desktop. Confirm Windows access before the first appointment, keep the client up to date and agree when to stop the desktop. The recordings above show the actual setup and connection controls.
Read the business guide to invitations, roles, funding and desktop assignments.
Explore Jump-Teams →Follow a practical onboarding checklist, from a first pilot to reviewing access when a role changes.
Read the team onboarding guide →Help when you need it
Install Windows App first. Locate the .rdp file in Safari Downloads or Files, open the Share menu and choose Windows App. If the original file is old or incomplete, download a fresh connection file from the Jump‑IT dashboard while the machine is running.
Check that the dashboard status is Running and allow a short period after startup before reconnecting. Some company, school, hotel and guest networks block Remote Desktop traffic, commonly outbound TCP port 3389. Try a trusted alternative network or personal hotspot. If that works, the original network policy is the likely cause.
Copy the Windows credentials from the Jump‑IT dashboard and check for accidental spaces. Do not use your Apple ID or assume the Windows password matches your Jump‑IT login. If necessary, start the Jump‑Desk and use the dashboard’s password-reset function.
Use landscape mode, full screen and Windows App’s display settings. Keep dynamic resolution and smart sizing enabled. Windows display scaling can also be increased inside the remote session, although changing it may require signing out and back in.
Check Wi‑Fi stability and latency. Move closer to the access point, stop bandwidth-heavy traffic or try another network. Windows App can reconnect after a brief interruption, but save work regularly.
That is expected if the app only disconnected. Open the Jump‑IT dashboard, stop the machine and verify that its status is Stopped.
A few useful answers
Not as a normal supported replacement for iPadOS. This method runs Windows 11 on a remote Jump‑Desk and displays it through Windows App on the iPad.
No. The iPad is not emulating a PC processor or running Windows locally. It is remotely controlling a Windows cloud computer.
Yes. You have administrative access and can install applications compatible with the Jump‑Desk’s Windows version and hardware. You remain responsible for each application’s licence and system requirements.
Not for a direct remote-PC connection to a Jump‑Desk. Install the app, open the connection file from the Jump‑IT dashboard and enter the Windows credentials for that machine.
Windows App Mobile supports keyboard and pointer input and lists external-monitor support. Exact behaviour depends on your iPad, iPadOS version, accessories, display and Windows App version. A keyboard and mouse or trackpad are strongly recommended for desktop applications.
The Jump‑Desk’s persistent storage remains while the machine exists, so stopping it should not erase installed applications or saved files. Deleting the Jump‑Desk is permanent. Keep a separate backup of important files.
No. Disconnecting and stopping are separate. Stop the Jump‑Desk from Windows or the Jump‑IT dashboard and verify its status.
No. It is most compelling for temporary, irregular or part-time use. If Windows becomes your main daily environment, compare the full recurring cost with buying a suitable computer.
No. Most ordinary Windows applications should behave as they do on a compatible PC, but specialist hardware, licence dongles, low-level drivers, anti-cheat systems and demanding graphics workloads can be incompatible. Test the real application before committing to a long plan.
The current Windows App Mobile listing requires iPadOS 26 or later. Check its App Store compatibility section on your iPad before purchasing a Jump‑Desk. Windows runs remotely, but the iPad still needs a supported client, a stable connection and suitable accessories. Check the current requirement.
The total depends on your chosen location, plan, tier and running time. Hours is designed for irregular use, while Months and Years suit more frequent access. Check the live price and service fee before creating the Jump‑Desk rather than relying on an old price quoted in an article.
If your iPad already does most of the job, you do not necessarily need to buy and carry a second computer for the remaining Windows tasks. A Jump‑Desk gives you a persistent Windows 11 workspace that you can open from the iPad, use for the project and stop when the work is done.
Check the live plan, regional price, included usage and service fee before purchase.
The touchscreen MacBook Pro team guide compares iPad, Neo, Mac mini and iPhone Duo as parts of a mixed-device workflow. A lead can use local Mac resources while an iPad connects to its own suitable Windows environment. The plan chooser above still applies; test keyboard, pointer, file movement and network conditions on the actual iPad.
Related device guidance added 31 October 2026.
FURTHER READING
DEVICE GUIDE
Use iPhone Duo with a Windows cloud PC: MKBHD and Mrwhosetheboss review takeaways, practical setup, real product views and complete monthly costs.
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