With remote desktop software, you can remotely connect a device to a computer that’s in another location. The software allows you to see what is on the computer’s desktop and control it from the remote device.

Remote desktop software is useful for a number of reasons. You can use it to remotely perform computer tasks, transfer files, give demonstrations, print documents or for many other reasons. Tech support can also use remote desktop tools to fix problems without having to access a computer.

In this article, we’ll explain how to set up and use Microsoft Remote Desktop on Windows 10 and Windows 11. We’ll also tell you how to set up and use Google’s Chrome Remote Desktop. Hostline also offers Windows servers, which can be easily managed remotely using the steps outlined in this Remote Desktop setup guide.

Introduction: Remote Desktop Software and RDPs

Remote desktop tools achieve remote access through a client/server model. The remotely connecting device uses client software to connect to the host computer, which runs server software. Protocols, such as Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) are used to provide a graphical interface to the client device.    

The software transmits mouse and keyboard inputs from the client device to be actioned on the server computer. The server computer then sends display commands to the local computer to complete the remote desktop connection.

The system simply allows for remote viewing and operation of a desktop.

Two of the most popular remote desktop tools are Microsoft Remote Desktop and Google’s Chrome Remote Desktop. We’ll explore these next. 

Microsoft Remote Desktop (RD) and Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) for Windows

On Windows, Microsoft’s Remote Desktop is commonly used as the client software alongside Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Services, which is used as the server software. The programs run through Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Protocol.

Remote Desktop works on Windows 10 and Windows 11 as well as on earlier versions of Windows. Other client software tools are also available for Windows, through Microsoft as well as from non-Microsoft suppliers.

Microsoft Remote Desktop is available for download on the Microsoft store here.

Google Chrome Remote Desktop

Chrome Remote Desktop is a remote desktop software program created by Google. With Chrome Remote Desktop, Google’s own client and server software run through Google’s own protocol, which is called Chromoting.Chrome Remote Desktop was originally a Chrome extension. Nowadays, a web portal is available at https://remotedesktop.google.com/. The web portal is used for the host computer and for remote access for client computers. The client software is also available for mobile devices on Android and iOS.

How to Set Up Remote Desktop on Windows 10 and 11

With a remote desktop connection enabled for your Windows 10 or 11 computer, you’ll have remote access to all your desktop files and resources from a remote device.

How to Enable Remote Desktop on Windows 10 and 11: A Step-By-Step Guide

To set up a remote desktop connection, the computer you are connecting to needs to be turned on, it must have a network connection, and you must have permission to connect to it.

After this, take the following steps:

1. Enable remote desktop on the host computer. To do this, go to Start > Settings > System > Remote Desktop.
   • 1.1. To enable RDP Windows 10, turn on Enable Remote Desktop.
   • 1.2. To enable Windows 11 remote desktop, set Remote Desktop to on, and then click Confirm. 
2. If necessary, add users who can connect remotely by clicking Select users that can remotely access this PC.
3. Look under How to connect to this PC and take a note of the name of the PC.
4. Use your remote device to connect to the PC.
   • 4.1. On a Windows PC, type ‘remote desktop connection’ in the search bar. In Remote Desktop Connection, type the name of your computer and select Connect.
   • 4.2. On Android, iOS or handheld Windows Devices, open the Remote Desktop app and add the name of your computer. Then select the computer by name and wait for a connection.

How to Set Up Google Chrome Remote Desktop

To enable a remote connection with Google Chrome, you can use Google’s web portal if the client device is a computer. For mobile client devices, you should download the Chrome Remote Desktop app.

Enabling Google Chrome Remote Desktop: A Step-By-Step Guide

To set up a remote desktop, through Chrome Remote Desktop, you’ll need to set up remote access on your computer and share your computer. Then you can access your computer through Google’s web portal for a computer or through the app for a mobile device. 

Step 1: Enable Remote Access on Your Computer and Share Your Computer

Open Google Chrome on your computer and then:

1.    Type https://remotedesktop.google.com/ in the address bar.

2.    Go to Set up Remote Access and click Download.

3.    Download and install Chrome Remote Desktop.

4.    After you’ve downloaded Chrome Remote Desktop locate Generate Code.

5.    Save the code for accessing the computer from a remote device.

Step 2: Connect From Your Remote Device

To connect remotely from a computer, you use the web portal:

Open Google Chrome on your computer and then:

1.    Type https://remotedesktop.google.com/ in the address bar.

2.    Click Access and find the computer you want to connect to.

3.    Enter the code generated earlier.

4.    Click the arrow to connect.

To connect remotely from a mobile device, you use the app:

Open the app on your device and then:

1.    Go to the Remote Access page.

2.    Tap on the computer you want to access.

3.    Enter the code generated earlier.

4.    Tap the arrow for access.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Does Remote Desktop Work?

Microsoft’s Remote Desktop is a remote desktop tool for Windows 10 (Windows 10 Remote Desktop), 11 (Windows 11 Remote Desktop) and for previous versions of Windows. With a remote desktop, you can remotely connect one device to another and view and control the desktop from the remote device.

What is the Difference Between Remote Desktop and RDP?

Remote Desktop is a software program created by Microsoft. Remote Desktop is used alongside Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Services and Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to set up a remote desktop connection between one computer and another. Remote Desktop is the client software, remote desktop services is the server software, and RDP provides the graphical interface to the client device.