What Is Remote Desktop Connection and How to Use It? [Complete Guide]

To connect to your Windows 10 PC from a remote location, you can use Remote Desktop on a Windows, Android, or iOS device. Before you connect to a set-up computer, follow these steps to configure your PC to accept remote connections:

What is Remote Desktop Connection?

People use Remote Desktop for various tasks, such as accessing their work computer from home or while traveling, accessing a home computer from another location, performing administrative tasks, demonstrating procedures or software programs, troubleshooting computer issues, transferring files from one computer to another, printing documents from a remote computer, and more.

What is Remote Desktop?

Remote Desktop is a program or operating system feature that allows a user to connect to a computer in another location, view that machine's desktop, and interact with it as if it were local.

And how does it work?

With remote-desktop software, users can view and operate another device remotely, by transmitting one device's screen, mouse pointers, and keyboard inputs to another. Tech-support specialists often use remote desktop connections to troubleshoot customers' machines in real time.

Many of these technologies allow for file sharing between the controlling and remote computers, or just the sharing of the clipboard contents. In some scenarios, remote desktop can provide audio access by transmitting the sound from the remote computer to the controlling device.

Furthermore, RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) is a secure protocol that enables users to access their desktops remotely. Through this technology, one can connect to a desktop from afar, open, edit, and share files or applications.

What are the advantages of using Remote Desktop Connection?

Working from Home

If your company has or wants a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy, you'll need the resources to make it work. With desktop virtualization, your computer can be accessed from any device. That means you can access your desktop from anywhere via a web browser, whether you're working from home or on the road. This helps your team stay productive from anywhere.

Top Security

When your data is virtualized, security is key. With a service that lets you access a remote desktop, a team of experts manages the servers for you. They'll make sure your environment always has the latest security updates.

Moreover, Remote Desktop comes with several robust security mechanisms to keep your data safe. Information is protected during transmission with advanced key encryption. Additionally, you can monitor who is logging into your company remotely.

Savings

Purchasing technology is not cheap. It takes a significant amount of money to build a reliable IT system that provides the solutions a company needs. This cost is negated when you use remote desktop services. You do not have to spend on hiring personnel or servers to keep it running. Employees can access their desktops using their own devices, reducing the need for additional hardware.

Simple Access

The main advantage of Remote Desktop Connection is the ability to access your data from anywhere. You don't need to install software on your computer since all the data is centralized in an easily accessible location. Additionally, you don't have to carry a USB drive with you to save information when you're traveling.

What are the disadvantages of using Remote Desktop Connection?

• Remote desktop protocols can be bandwidth-intensive, leading to performance issues like lag in mouse movement and response times.
• RDP may struggle with video playback on the remote computer, as it has to switch between frames or screens, degrading video quality.
• Some remote desktop server tools can be expensive.
• Not all remote desktop applications offer the same features.

Microsoft offers a free Remote Desktop Connection client that can access computers running Windows Professional, Windows Enterprise, or Windows Server operating systems.

How do I use Remote Desktop Connection on Microsoft?

Need to access and manage another Windows computer from afar? Microsoft includes a tool called Remote Desktop that makes this possible. Here's how to set it up.

• Solution 1: Set up Microsoft RDC (Remote Desktop Connection)
• Solution 2: Connect from Windows to a Remote Computer
• Solution 3: Connect from a Mac to a Remote Computer

Method 1: Set up Microsoft RDC

Step 1: You or another person must be logged in to the computer you want to access remotely.

Step 2. Open Settings (Win + I) > System > Remote Desktop and turn on Remote Desktop.

Step 3: Enable “Remote Desktop.”

Step 4: Click “OK” to enable the setting.

Step 5. On Windows, enable the “Allow the computer to wake up for network connections” and “Allow other network users to find this computer” options. You must click on the Show settings link to view or change either option.

Step 6: Next, click on the "Advanced settings" option.

Step 7. Check the box next to "Require computer authentication (NLA) for connections." This will enforce authorization for users before they can access the remote PC via NLA, adding an extra layer of security for remote connections on the same network.

By default, any user with a Remote PC Admin account can access it. Your best bet is to assume that you're logging in to Windows with a Microsoft account, or an enterprise user account with admin privileges, and then log in remotely to that account.

Method 2: Connect from Windows to a Remote PC

Step 1. Suppose you want to connect from your home computer to the remote PC. Press the Start button, and type Remote Desktop Connection into the search bar to open the "Remote Desktop" window.

Step 3: Next, click "Show Options," and enter the username for the account you use to sign in.

Step 4: If you want to save your credentials, check the box next to Allow me to save my credentials, and then click Connect.

Step 5: Enter your password in the Credentials window, and then click OK. A notification appears that reads, "The identity of the remote computer cannot be verified." Select the checkbox for Do not ask me again for connections to this computer, and then click Yes.

Now that you're connected, you can run programs, access files, and do other things on the remote computer. There's a blue connection bar at the top of the screen with several settings. The icons on the left let you dock the bar and monitor your connection speed. The icons on the right allow you to resize the window, minimize the remote window to the taskbar, and end the remote session. You can also click here to learn how to use Remote Desktop on Windows 10/11.

Method 3: Connect from a Mac to a Remote PC

The Microsoft Remote Desktop app from the Mac App Store (opens in new window) lets Mac users connect to a remote Windows PC.

Step 1: Open the app and grant the necessary permissions. After entering the PC name or IP address, tap on the "Add PC" button.

Step 2: When you type the computer name, you must enter the fully qualified domain name. If this is a stand-alone computer, append .local to the end of the name, for example, WINPC.local. You have two options. You can either enter the user name and password now so that you don't have to enter them each time you connect, or you can leave the "User Account" option set to "Ask for credentials." When you're done, click Add.

Step 3: Click on the icon of the computer you want to connect to. To access the Remote Desktop menu bar, move your cursor to the top of the screen. From the "Window" menu, you can resize the window or disconnect.

Best Recommended Remote Desktop Software

You cannot be on the workplace all the time, and COVID-19 has taught us the importance of being prepared. With the rise of remote work, it is essential to have tools that allow you to work from home or any other location where remote access is needed.

Here are the best remote desktop software options for 2022, based on an in-depth analysis of top programs in the current market.

• TeamViewer
• Chrome Remote Desktop
• Connectwise

TeamViewer is a remote control and online collaboration software that enables users to connect to other devices over the internet for desktop sharing, remote support, online meetings, and file transfers.

You can work on a remote PC, a smartphone, or even another server, with access to all the resources you need to get the job done, without the need for a regular VPN connection. It allows users to assist colleagues and customers immediately if their computer fails or malfunctions. You can also use additional apps over the specific connection to manage mobile devices.

In addition to the black screen feature that lets you work remotely without being seen, all sessions include file transfer and video conferencing. If you're using Windows or macOS, you can also do remote printing.

Features:

• Compatible with Linux, Mac, and Windows
• Pricing: TeamViewer offers a 14-day free trial before you need to select a plan.

The advantages of TeamViewer include:

Exceptional connectivity User-friendly Cross-platform compatibility

The cons of TeamViewer include:

• Audio quality improvements
• Trust issues with established systems and networks
• Should allow for slower speeds.

Chrome Remote Desktop

Google's Chrome Remote Desktop is a popular free remote-access app, with more than 10 million installations. It is easy to set up, and you can use it to connect to another computer or share your screen from a phone, tablet, or PC. If you leave your computer on at home, you can access and secure it remotely. Its user-friendly design makes remote access straightforward.

All in all, it is a reliable tool that harnesses the power of Google and uses the latest open web technologies to help you get things done.

Features:

• Compatibility: iOS and Android
• Cost: Free

Chrome Remote Desktop has several advantages, including:

• Efficient handling
• Excellent developer tools
• User-friendly

Disadvantages of Chrome Remote Desktop include:

• Some privacy concerns
• Google Chrome is the only default option
• Limited customization options

Connecting Intelligence

With ConnectWise Control Support, unattended access is both easy and worry-free, allowing you to access computers even when the user isn't present. To gain access, you'll need to create an access agent installer. With simple drag-and-drop functionality, you can share files and folders with anyone, while keeping your desktop neat and clutter-free.

You can control who has access to your private documents with unique role-based permissions, even assigning different roles to different people. You can also keep users informed about maintenance with notifications. Using the Toolbox feature, you can store all the files you need for quick scripts and other operations.

Features:

- Compatible with Linux, Mac, and Windows - Pricing: ConnectWise offers a 14-day free trial. After the trial, you can choose from three different plans based on the number of connections you need.

Advantages of ConnectWise include:

• Free trial
• Excellent management tools
• Superb reporting features

Disadvantages of ConnectWise:

• Paid per connection
• Can be confusing for new users
• Latency issues with the cloud

Ultimate Judgement

We live in a business environment where companies need quick solutions to function effectively. Hence, from this article, you'll understand how remote desktops work and their pros and cons. Once you grasp what a remote desktop is, you can boost your company's productivity and cut costs from the comfort of your space. Check out the best remote desktop solutions recommended in this article and how they can benefit your business!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is 8GB of RAM enough for a remote desktop?

That depends on the speed of your processor, the amount of algebra it does, the size of your hard drive, and your network. For work that involves a few browser tabs and Microsoft Office apps, 8 GB of RAM is fine with any OS.

**2. Which laptop is best for working from home?**

• Dell XPS 15: This is the best choice for a home laptop due to its portability, powerful processor, vibrant screen, and high-quality speakers. With an Intel Core i7 processor and a 1TB SSD, it handles CPU-intensive applications with ease. It also boasts 64GB of RAM and an 8-core processor.
• 2021 Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro: Apart from its excellent build quality, the MacBook Pro comes with 16GB of memory, allowing users to smoothly handle multiple programs and apps across various fields. It can be configured up to 32GB of RAM and offers storage up to 8TB, making it suitable for professionals with CPU-demanding tasks.
• Lenovo IdeaPad 3: Equipped with an 11th Gen CPU and a generous 12GB of RAM, this laptop's Intel Core i5 processor handles most tasks, while the Intel Iris Xe graphics GPU is ideal for remote work.