Many times we feel the need to access PC remotely to help a friend or for some other purpose. To do so, there are plenty of setups and options available, one can use Team Viewer or VNC for this purpose.
But these applications are not trusted by antivirus software or windows firewall as they’re considered intrusive. They block the connection request making it difficult to access your machine.
Is there an alternate way to remotely access the PC, which is less invasive? Google’s free Chrome Remote Desktop extension is an easy solution to this problem.
See Also: 10 Effective Tips and Tricks for a Better Google Chrome Experience
As Google Chrome is used by thousands of users it will be easy to use it. To begin, all you need to do is add and install Chrome browser extension name Chrome Remote Desktop.
In case Google Chrome is not installed, you need to first install it on your phone, tablet, computer or Mac.
Once everything is setup you can access your computer from any device, without worrying about setting up port forwarding, dynamic DND or any other setting.
Requirements for using Chrome Remote Desktop:
To use Chrome Remote Desktop, you need to have a Google email account. Chrome Remote Desktop extension has to be installed on both the machines.
It is supported by Windows, Mac.
Download URL for Google Chrome: The first thing we need to download and install Google Chrome if not installed.
Click here to install Google Chrome for Machines
Click here to install Google Chrome for Android
Click here to install Google Chrome for iPhone and iPad
How to remotely access PC using Chrome remote desktop:
After downloading and installing Google Chrome the next step is to get Chrome Remote Desktop extension. To do so, ensure that you are signed into your Google Account. Now, on your Chrome web browser open this link to add Chrome Remote Desktop extension.
To add the extension, click on Add to Chrome button present at the top right corner.
Once you click on Add to Chrome, a popup will appear asking permissions required by the app. Click Add App to continue if you grant the permissions.
Once the extension is installed on both the machines to be connected, you will have to grant necessary permissions and login to your Google account.
As the Chrome Desktop app is installed a new tab will open. Here you can see all the apps that have been installed in Chrome. In case a new tab doesn’t appear, just open a new tab and type in chrome://apps/.
See Also: 11 Best Google Chrome Extensions You Must Have
How to start sharing?
You can now see a new icon called Chrome Remote Desktop, click on it to start the app. You will see a new window with two sections: Remote Assistance and My Computers.
Click on Get Started button under My Computers. Make sure you are logged into your Google account, otherwise everything will be grayed out.
Go ahead and click on the Enable Remote Connections button.
You’ll now get a popup message asking you to install the Chrome Remote Desktop Host Installer program. This is the remote desktop client that will allow each device to remotely access other device.
A file will be download onto your computer (.MSI for Windows, .DMG for Mac, etc.). To install the software run it manually.
Once you install it a new window will appear asking you to enter a pin code of six digits that is needed to connect remotely. For security reasons use different code for each computer.
Now enter the PIN and re verify it click OK to start the remote connections.
In Mac, another window will pop up and you will have to enter the pin code again in order to enable remote connections.
To connect other devices follow the same procedure. You can simply install it on a Mac and Windows machine and access the Mac from Windows or vice versa. If you install the app on your phone, you can access your desktop computers from an Apple or Android device.
Connecting Remotely to Your Computers
For your convenience we are giving you an example by connecting to a desktop computer using an Android device. Make sure you have Chrome Remote Desktop app on both the machines.
Open the app and sign into your Google account on both devices. The app interface is same on Android and Apple devices it is simple and easy to use.
Here you will be able to see a list of enabled computers that are logged in using the same Google account.
Tap on the computer name you need to connect and it will ask you for the pin code.
If you do not wish to enter the code each time check the box next to Don’t ask for a PIN.
Tap Connect to start the remote session.
Once you are connected, you’ll also see an overlay bar at the top with a couple of icons. The first one is a mouse button that will either be blue or grey (on Apple devices). If it’s blue in color it means you can control the mouse pointer with your finger.
If you tap it, it will turn grey, which will make your finger the mouse pointer. On Android, it rotates between a mouse icon and a finger icon.
To bring up a virtual keyboard click on keyboard icon.
To make it go full screen click on the little square button. To send CTRL + ALT + DEL keyboard combo to the desktop click on the three dots next to little square button.
So how about connecting between desktop computers? That’s really easy also. Just open the Chrome Remote Desktop app on your computer and then click on any computer listed under the My Computers section.
We can also connect different computers in similar manner
Conclusion: Chrome Desktop is a fantastic tool which allows us to connect with so many devices. There are many options that one can use making it highly versatile. Google Chrome makes remote access fun and easy in no time.