Connect To The Computer From Another Desktop Or Mobile Device
Here’s the easy part: With your host computer all set for connections, all you’ve gotta do to access it from another desktop computer is go to that same Remote Desktop website within the Chrome browser. You’ll need to be signed into Chrome, using the same Google account you used on the host system, but you won’t need any particular apps or extensions installed you’ll just see your computer’s name appear, and you can click on it to start the connection.
After tapping in your PIN, you’ll be in and you can move around your screen, click and run anything you want, and generally just use the computer as if you were sitting in front of it. A panel at the side of the screen will provide options for adjusting the display and sending complex commands such as Ctrl-Alt-Del. It’ll also allow you to synchronize the clipboards between your current computer and the host computer, if you’re so inclined, so that you can copy and paste text seamlessly between the two.
JR Raphael/IDG
The host computer’s desktop is fully accessible in a browser tab, with a collapsible panel for advanced commands.
For mobile access, you’ll want to download the Chrome Remote Desktop app for iOS or Android. Provided your phone is signed into the same Google account you used on your computer, the app will automatically show the computer and allow you to connect to it with one quick tap and a typing of your PIN.
JR Raphael/IDG
Your entire desktop, at your fingertips on your phone.
Set Up The Android App
Whether you’re on an Android phone or tablet, the setup is the same. When the app launches, it’ll automatically search for any computers associated with your Google account.
If you don’t see your computer in the list, check to make sure the email address at the top is the same one you used to set up the app on your desktop.
Beginner Geek: How To Access Your Desktop Over The Internet
Chris Hoffman is Editor-in-Chief of How-To Geek. He’s written about technology for over a decade and was a PCWorld columnist for two years. Chris has written for The New York Times, been interviewed as a technology expert on TV stations like Miami’s NBC 6, and had his work covered by news outlets like the BBC. Since 2011, Chris has written over 2,000 articles that have been read nearly one billion times—and that’s just here at How-To Geek. Read more…
Remote desktop software allows you to access your computer from another room or halfway around the world. You can also share your desktop with someone temporarily ideal for remote tech support.
Setting up remote desktop access isnt hard, but youll need to know the right software to use and how it works. The software built into Windows isnt ideal for home users.
Read Also: Record Audio On Laptop
Remote Access Your College Windows Computer Using An Iphone Or Ipad
Note: We offer limited support for this app.
Before you begin, you will need to wake your PC so that you are able to remote into it.
To set up an RDG connection using your iOS device, follow these steps:
Your session is now connected.
Windows 10 Fall Creator Update Or Later

You can configure your PC for remote access with a few easy steps.
Don’t Miss: Can I Sell My Laptop Back To Hp
Set Up Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection
First, you or someone else must physically sign into the PC you want to remotely access. Turn on Remote Desktop on this computer by opening Settings > System > Remote Desktop. Turn on the switch next to “Enable Remote Desktop.” Click Confirm to enable the setting.
Check the box next to “Require computers to use Network Level Authentication to connect.” NLA adds tighter security for remote connections over the same network as users must be authenticated before gaining access to the remote PC.
Assuming you’re connecting to a computer on the same network, you can ignore the “External connections” section. The section for Remote Desktop port shows the default port to listen for and accept a remote connection.
Finally, make note of the name of this computer as you’ll need it to log in remotely. If you wish to change the computer name to something easier to remember, follow these steps. Close the Remote Desktop settings screen when you’re finished.
Can My Employer See Where I Am Working From
Your employer can get at least a general sense of your location from your IP address, or they can determine that youre attempting to hide your location by using a VPN. Depending on the employer-provided software or the tasks youre performing for them, more detailed location information can be collected from your computer and provided to your workplace.
! Tech problem solving & safety tips & a weekly confidence boost in your inbox every week.
I’ll see you there!
Recommended Reading: How To Put Your Phone Screen On Your Laptop
How To Access Pc Files On Android Phone
We are going to tell you how to do this using an Android phone. Or tablet, or any other Android device for that matter. Like we said, there are two ways you can do this. One requires your device to be on the same Wi-Fi network as your PC, and the other method requires Internet connection on your mobile, a mobile app, and a desktop client installed and set up on PC. In both cases, as mentioned earlier, the computer has to be running and connected to the internet.
Note: If you want to access files even when PC is powered off, then you can use Google Drive to set up sync for a particular directory so that Google uploads all files and folders therein to your account , which you can access from anywhere on any device with Internet connection.
How To Remotely Access My Pc From Ipad
The iPad has quickly become a popular device among avid technology users and Luddites alike. With its whole host of applications and features, it can be used to carry out even complicated office tasks. However, if you use the iPad for business, it is rare it will completely replace your PC or laptop. It can be used on the go, but you may need to access files from your PC as the iPad has limited space. You may also simply want to stream a movie saved on your PC. Even if you are in the office and you want a file stored on your PC, you can access it from your iPad in a number of ways. This oneHOWTO article will tell you how to remotely access your PC from iPad so you can make the most out of all your devices.
You May Like: Where Can I Get A Laptop With Bad Credit
Alternative Softwares For Remote Access
Just like the above tools, there are plenty of other remote access Softwares available for Windows. Below, we are going to share some of the best remote access tools for Windows 10 computer.
1. Aero Admin
The term remote desktop connection undermines remote access to another PC via remote desktop software like Aeroadmin. The software runs on both PCs and then a connection between them is established. Remote desktop software grabs display image of the remote PC, processes it in a specially optimized way, and translates it to the local computer of an operator.
2. AnyDesk
At its core is DeskRT, a new video codec that is specifically designed for graphical user interfaces. Thats why AnyDesk is one leap ahead. AnyDesk is the fastest remote desktop software on the market. It allows for new usage scenarios and applications that have not been possible with current remote desktop software.
3. Remote PC
You can stay connected to your home or office computer, without actual computing. Access your PC or Mac, from any device or web browser anytime, anywhere. Effortlessly manage your files, transfer data, print documents or listen to audio files remotely even from mapped drives.
4. Real VNC
Well, Real VNC or VNC Connect, the industrys most flexible and secure remote access software. It has easy-to-use remote access for friends and family. Feature-rich and secure remote access for departments and small businesses.
5. Join.me
6. Splashtop
7. Ultra VNC
8. Log Me In
9. WebEx Free
Checking For Signs Of Intrusion
You May Like: How To Make Space On Hp Laptop
Ways To Access And Control Your Pc Remotely
Your PC isnt really stuck at home. You can access the desktop, your files, and even gaming horsepower on the go. You can turn on your PC from halfway around the world!
How, you ask? Lets start with catch-all remote desktop solutions before following up with more specific remote control and access tools for gaming, productivity, and more.
Choosing The Right Remote Access Tools

For a comprehensive, enterprise-grade remote access tool, we recommend implementing either SolarWinds® Dameware® Remote Everywhere or SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support . Both of these solutions facilitate fast, easy, and safe remote access.
SolarWinds DRS and DRE both typically connect to a workstation in less than eight seconds. To keep your company, users, and data safe, these tools include advanced encryption protocols, two-factor authentication, and multi-level permissionsgoing well beyond standard username and password requirements. With these solutions, you can connect with unresponsive and out-of-band machines, via support for KVM, Wake-on-LAN, and Intel vPro with AMT. DRE and DRS both include a user-friendly, intuitive mobile application, although only DRE allows you to connect remotely to mobile devices.
DRE and DRS also share the following features:
- One-click access
Recommended Reading: How To Project Iphone Screen To Laptop
How Do You Tell If Your Computer Is Being Monitored At Work
You may not be able to tell if your computer is being monitored at work. While there may be monitoring software on your computer, your security software may not notify you of its presence. Even without anything installed, your company can monitor your network traffic and see what youre doing that way. The only real defense is to assume that you are being monitored and act accordingly.
Why You Might Want To
RELATED:How to Remotely Access Your Computer from Your Phone
Remote desktop software allows you to use a computer as if you were sitting in front of it. Basically, your computer will send a video of its desktop to the device youre connecting to. You can click and type as if you were sitting in front of the computer and use the computer normally with a bit of delay, of course.
You can use remote desktop software on a Mac, Chromebook, iPad, or Android tablet, accessing Windows software on a non-Windows device. Remote desktop software also allows you to use local applications and files stored on your home or work computer from anywhere you are.
Also Check: Shutdown Hotkey Windows 10
How To Control Your Computer Using Your Phone
There are two general ways to achieve remote control. You can use a full remote desktop client, which will transmit images from your monitor to your phone or tablet. This option is generally more powerful, but its also a bit more complicated and is preferred by more advanced users.
A standard mouse and keyboard app doesnt transmit video or sound and works more or less like a TV remote control for your computer. For all of them, youll need an active connection on the local network . Most remote desktop clients offer control over the Internet as well.
Here are five of the best options on Android, iOS, and Windows Phone.
Connect To The Computer From Off
Set up a VPN connection
To use Remote Desktop Connection off-campus, you must use a VPN connection that you create on your home computer to establish a link to the Amherst network.
VERY IMPORTANT: If your work computer is in a building that has been moved to the new network, you cannot use the VPN connectoids supplied by Amherst IT. The connectoids only work with computers on the old network. If the IP address you noted above begins with 10.49 then your building is on the new network.
From your off-campus Windows computer, connect to your work computer
- Establish a link to the Amherst network using the VPN connection you created above.
- Search for Remote Desktop Connection. In the search results, right click on Remote Desktop Connection and select Pin to Taskbar. It will be easier to find there.
- Click on the Remote Desktop Connection icon on your taskbar. In the window your asked for the name of the computer your are connecting to. Enter the computer name you recorded above and press Connect. If you get a message that the computer can’t be found, enter its IP address and try again. If you get a message that the IP address doesn’t work, then you’ll need to use the physical or MAC address that you recorded above:
- If your physical address is BC-5F-F4-6B-97-3B, then you’ll enter the following into the Computer line of Remote Desktop Connection:
- mac-bc5ff46b973b.any.10net.amherst.edu
Connect from off-campus Macinstosh computer
Connect from off-campus iPad
You May Like: How To Setup My Hp Printer To My Laptop
Option One: Chrome Remote Desktop
Ah, good ol Chrome Remote Desktop. This has been my personal go-to for remote access ever since it was first released some years ago. Its quick and easy to use, completely painless to set up, and works on pretty much any device across the board, from Windows, Mac, and Linux to Android and iOS.
Of course, it does have its caveats, like the fact that you have to be a Chrome user. While there are a lot of Chrome users out there, I get that there are also quite a few users who just arent into Googles browser, and thats okaywell talk about a good option for you guys down below. But if you use Chrome, this is probably your easiest option.
How to Set up Chrome Remote Desktop
The original iteration of Chrome Remote Desktop took place as an install-able Chrome app from the Chrome Web Store, but since Google is phasing out Chrome apps in exchange for progressive web apps, well start with how to set up Remote Desktop using the all new web app version of the service.
Note: At the time of writing, Chrome Remote Desktop on the web web is still in beta, so it may be slightly buggy. As such, well leave the tutorial for setting up the Remote Desktop Chrome app in place below for the time being.
To get started, head over to the new Chrome Remote Desktop beta website. Click on the download arrow in the bottom corner of the Set up remote access box.
This will bring up a dialog box to install the new Remote Desktop extension . Click the Add Extension button.