This article explains how to log into one computer and manage it remotely using a second computer. To establish the connection, it is essential to install software on both machines that allows remote connection. After installing the program on both computers, you will need to configure one as a "host", so that it allows remote user access. As long as the "host" computer is switched on, configured correctly and connected to the internet, it will be reachable from any point of the globe using a suitable device, ie on which the same software present on the remote machine is installed. Programs such as Team Viewer and Chrome Remote Desktop can be installed on PCs and Macs, while the Windows Remote Desktop app can be configured to receive incoming remote connections only on Windows machines (which however use the Professional version of the operating system), after which it will be possible to access the computer remotely from both PC and Mac.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Chrome Remote Desktop
Step 1. Install Chrome Remote Desktop on both machines involved
This is a free program produced by Google that allows you to remotely control a computer using a PC or a Mac. In order to use this program, you must use Google Chrome as an internet browser, so if you have not yet installed it on both computers you will need to do it now by downloading it from the following URL: https://www.google.com/chrome. Follow these instructions to install Chrome Remote Desktop on both computers:
- Start Google Chrome;
- Access the URL
- Click on the blue "Download Chrome Remote Desktop" button with a down arrow. The Chrome web store page for the Chrome Remote Desktop application will be displayed;
- Click on the button add visible on the Chrome web store page, then click on the button Add extension to confirm your action;
- Close the Chrome web store page so that the previous page is visible again;
- Click on the blue and white button Accept and install, then assign to the program all the access permissions that will be requested of you;
- Enter a name for the computer and click the button Come on;
- Enter the 6-digit confirmation PIN code. After this step, Chrome Remote Desktop will launch.
Step 2. Generate the passcode on the computer you want to access remotely
Now that Chrome Remote Desktop is installed and configured on both computers, you'll need to generate a security code that you'll need to use to be able to remotely access the target computer. The code in question will be valid only for the 5 minutes following its generation, so you will only have to perform this operation when you are actually ready to establish the connection. Follow these instructions on the target computer, i.e. the one you want to connect to remotely:
- Click on the tab Receive assistance displayed at the top of the page;
- Click on the button Generate code;
Step 3. Visit the following URL https://remotedesktop.google.com/support using the computer you want to connect remotely with
Remember that you must use Google Chrome as an internet browser.
Step 4. Enter the access code you generated in the previous step in the "Access code" field of the "Give assistance" section and click the Connect button
It is visible at the bottom of the "Remote Assistance" tab. A connection request will be sent to the computer you are trying to access remotely.
Step 5. Click on the Share button on the remote computer, the one that will receive the connection remotely
In a few moments, the desktop of the remote computer will appear inside the Chrome window of the computer you are connecting from.
Step 6. Click the Disconnect button on the remote computer to end the connection when you wish
Method 2 of 3: TeamViewer
Step 1. Visit the URL https://www.teamviewer.com/it/download using any browser
You can use TeamViewer to connect to a computer and remotely control it using a PC or Mac. TeamViewer is a free program, if used privately and not for commercial purposes.
If the TeamViewer website does not correctly detect the system installed on your computer, click on the icon of the operating system you want displayed in the center of the page
Step 2. Scroll down the page and click the Download TeamViewer button
It is green in color and is located on the left side of the page. This way the TeamViewer installation file will be downloaded to your computer.
Depending on your browser settings, you will need to save the file on your computer or indicate the folder in which to store it before the download actually starts
Step 3. Double-click the TeamViewer installation file
If you are using a Windows system, the file name will be "TeamViewer_Setup"; if you are using Mac you will have to double click on the "TeamViewer.dmg" file.
Step 4. Install TeamViewer
Follow these instructions:
- Windows' - select the radio button "Install to control this computer remotely later", select the item "for private / non-commercial purposes", then click the button Agree - End.
- Mac - double click on the installation file, click on the button OK, enter the menu Apple, click on the option System Preferences, click on the icon Security and Privacy, click on the button Allow next to the message about "TeamViewer", then click on the button You open when required. At this point, follow the instructions that will appear on the screen.
Step 5. View the computer ID
On the left side of the TeamViewer window there is the "Your ID" field in the "Allow remote control" section. To be able to access the computer in question remotely, you will need to have this identification code.
Step 6. Create a custom password
Follow these instructions:
- Move the mouse pointer to the current password;
- Click on the icon depicting a circular arrow on the left of the password;
- Click on the option Set personal password from the drop-down menu appeared;
- Enter the password you want in the "Password" and "Confirm password" fields;
- Click on the button OK.
Step 7. Download, install and start TeamViewer on the second computer
This is the computer you want to use to access the first one remotely.
TeamViewer is also available for iPhone and Android devices
Step 8. Enter the remote computer ID into the "Partner ID" text field
It is located in the "Control remote computers" section on the right of the TeamViewer window.
Step 9. Make sure the "Remote Control" radio button is selected
If not, click on it with the mouse.
Step 10. Click the Connect button
It is displayed at the bottom of the TeamViewer window.
Step 11. Enter your password
This is the password you configured in the "Allow remote control" section of the TeamViewer window of the first computer.
Step 12. Click the Login button
It is located at the bottom of the TeamViewer authentication window.
Step 13. Check the remote computer
After a few moments, the screen of the computer to which you connected remotely using the second machine will be displayed.
- When the remote computer desktop appears, you can use it exactly as if you were using a local computer.
- To disconnect, click on the icon in the shape of X located at the top of the TeamViewer window.
Method 3 of 3: Windows Remote Desktop Connection
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu of the computer you want to connect to remotely by clicking on the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. Alternatively, press the ⊞ Win key on your keyboard.
The Remote Desktop program can be used to remotely connect to computers running only the Pro version of Windows. If the computer you want to connect to uses a different version of Windows 10, for example Windows 10 Home, you will need to use another method from the article
Step 2. Launch the Settings app by clicking on the icon
It features a gear and is located at the bottom left of the "Start" menu.
Step 3. Click the System icon
It features a stylized laptop and is displayed at the top of the "Settings" window.
Step 4. Scroll down the page and click on the System Information tab
It is the last option listed in the left pane of the window.
You will need to scroll the left panel of the page using the mouse cursor
Step 5. Make a note of the computer name
It is displayed at the top of the main window pane to the right of the "Device Name" entry. You will need this information to be able to connect to the target computer remotely.
Step 6. Click the System Information link
It is located in the "Related Settings" section located in the upper right corner of the page.
In some cases, it may appear at the bottom of the page if you have not yet installed the Windows 10 "Creator" update on your computer
Step 7. Click the Advanced System Settings link
It is located in the upper left of the "Control Panel" window.
Step 8. Click on the Remote Connection tab
It is located in the upper right corner of the "System Properties" window.
Step 9. Select the check button "Allow remote assistance connections to this computer"
It is located in the "Remote Assistance" section visible in the center of the page.
If the indicated check button is already selected, you will not need to make any changes
Step 10. Click the OK button, then close the Windows "Control Panel" window
The new settings will be saved and applied.
Step 11. Click the Power and Sleep tab
It is listed in the left pane of the "System" section of the Windows 10 Settings app. You will need to scroll up to access the indicated option.
Step 12. Click on both drop-down menus visible in the "Suspend" section of the page and choose the Never option
This will prevent your computer from shutting down or automatically entering "Hibernate" mode when you are connected remotely.
Step 13. Launch the Remote Desktop app on the second computer
Follow these instructions:
-
Windows - access the menu Start by clicking on the icon
Windowsstart type in the keywords remote desktop connection and click on the icon Remote Desktop Connection.
- Mac - download the app Microsoft Remote Desktop from the App Store, open the Launchpad and click on the orange icon Microsoft Remote Desktop.
Step 14. Enter the name of the computer you want to connect to remotely
Type it in the "Computer:" text field located at the top of the Remote Desktop client window.
- If you are using a Mac, click on the option first + New located in the upper left corner of the app window, then type the computer name in the "PC Name" text field;
- Alternatively, you can enter the IP address of the target computer in the same field.
Step 15. Click the Connect button
It is located at the bottom of the Microsoft Remote Desktop client window. When the connection is established, the remote computer desktop will be displayed in the client window on your computer.
If you're using a Mac, double-click the name of the connection you just created listed within the drop-down menu My desktops.
Advice
- Consider disabling the "Sleep" and "Hibernate" power saving modes on the computer you want to connect to remotely. Otherwise you will not be able to establish a connection.
- If you have not configured a password to log into your Windows computer using the "Remote Desktop Connection" client, you will need to do so now, otherwise you will not be able to establish a connection.
