How to Access a Computer Remotely

This article guides you through the process of remotely accessing and controlling a computer from another by installing remote access software on both machines. Once both computers have the necessary software, you can designate one as the 'server,' allowing it to be controlled from anywhere, as long as both devices have an internet connection, are powered on, and have the correct software installed. Programs like TeamViewer and Chrome Remote Desktop are compatible with both Windows and Mac computers, while Windows Remote Desktop only works on Windows-based servers (using Windows 10 Professional) and can be accessed from other Windows or Mac machines.

Install Chrome Remote Desktop on both computers. This free tool from Google allows you to remotely control a computer from another device. To use it, you'll need the Google Chrome browser; if you don’t have it yet, download it from https://www.google.com/chrome. Follow these steps on both computers:

• Open Google Chrome.
• Go to https://remotedesktop.google.com/access.
• Click the blue and white arrow icon. A new window will appear, directing you to the Chrome Remote Desktop page in the Chrome Web Store.
• Click Add to Chrome in the Chrome Web Store, then click Add extension to confirm.
• Close the Chrome Web Store window to return to the original page.
• Click the blue and white ACCEPT & INSTALL button, and grant the requested access permissions.
• Give your computer a name and click NEXT.
• Enter and confirm a 6-digit PIN. Once confirmed, Remote Desktop will start.

Create a support code on the computer you wish to access. Now that Chrome Remote Desktop is installed on both computers, you need to generate a code that the other computer can use to connect. The code is only valid for 5 minutes after it's created, so make sure to do this step before initiating the connection. Here's how to generate the code on the receiving computer:

• Click on the Remote Support tab near the top of the page.
• Click the GENERATE CODE button.

Go to https://remotedesktop.google.com/support on the computer that will make the connection. Keep in mind that this needs to be done using the Google Chrome browser.

Enter the support code into the "Give Support" field and click Connect (Connect). This is the second empty field on the page. An invitation will be sent to the computer you wish to access.

Click on the Share (Share) button on the receiving computer. After a moment, the remote computer's screen will appear in the Chrome browser on the connecting computer.

Click on the Stop Sharing (Stop Sharing) button on the computer currently sharing. You can end the connection at any time.

Go to https://www.teamviewer.com/en/download in your web browser. TeamViewer allows you to remotely control another Windows or Mac computer from the one you're using. It’s a free program for personal and non-commercial use.

• If TeamViewer incorrectly detects your operating system, click on the one you're actually using from the displayed options in the middle of the page.

Scroll down and click on the Download TeamViewer button. This green button located near the top of the page will download the TeamViewer installer to your computer.

• Depending on your browser settings, you may need to save the file or choose a directory to save it before the download starts.

Double-click on the TeamViewer file. On Windows, this will be the file named "TeamViewer_Setup", while Mac users will double-click the "TeamViewer.dmg" file.

Install TeamViewer. Follow the steps below:

• Windows - Check the box for "Installation to access this computer remotely", mark "Personal / Non-commercial use", and click Accept - Finish.
• Mac - Double-click the installer file, click OK, open the Apple menu, click System Preferences, then click Security and Privacy, click Open Anyway next to the "TeamViewer" message, and click Open when prompted. Follow the on-screen instructions.

View the ID of the computer. On the left side of the TeamViewer window, you will find the "Your ID" section below the heading "Allow Remote Control". This ID is needed to access the host computer.

Create your personal password. Here's how you can do it:

• Hover your cursor over the current password.
• Click on the circular arrow next to the password.
• Select Set personal password from the menu that appears.
• Enter the password you want to use in the "Password" and "Confirm password" fields.
• Click OK.

Download, install, and open TeamViewer on the second computer. This is the computer you will use to connect to the host computer.

• You can also download TeamViewer for iPhone and Android devices.

Enter the first computer's ID in the "Partner ID" field. This field is located on the right side of the TeamViewer window, just below the heading "Control Remote Computer".

Ensure the "Remote Control" box is checked. If it's not, click the circle on the left of this option to select it.

Click on Connect to partner (Connect to partner). This option is near the bottom of the TeamViewer window.

Enter the password. Type the personal password you set in the "Allow Remote Control" section of TeamViewer on the host computer.

Click on Log On (Log On). This option is located below the TeamViewer Authentication window.

View the connected computer's screen. After a short while, you will see the host computer's screen displayed within the TeamViewer window on your second computer's screen.

• Once the host computer's screen is visible, you can interact with it as if you were using your own computer.
• To disconnect, simply click the X at the top of the TeamViewer window.

Click on System (System). This icon appears at the top of the Settings page.

Scroll down and click on the About (About). This option is located beneath the column on the left side of the window.

• You may need to move the scroll bar by pointing the mouse over this column.

Note the computer name. This information is displayed at the top of the page, right next to the "PC name" title. You will need the computer name to connect to the second computer.

Click on System info (System info). This option is located beneath the "Related settings" title at the top-right corner of the page.

• If you haven't updated to the Windows 10 Creator version, you can also find this option at the bottom of the page.

Click on the Remote (Remote). You'll find this option in the top-right corner of the System Properties window.

Click on OK, then exit the System window. This action will save your settings.

Scroll up and click on Power & sleep (Power and Sleep). This tab is located near the top left of the Settings window.

Click and choose Never (Never) for both options. This step will prevent the host computer from going into sleep mode or shutting down when connected remotely.

Enter the name of the host computer. This information should be filled in the "Computer:" field located near the top of the Remote Desktop window.

• On a Mac, first click on + New at the top-left corner of the app window, then enter the computer's name in the "PC Name" field.
• You can also input the host computer's IP address in the computer name field.

Click on Connect (Connect). This option is located at the bottom of the Remote Desktop window. Once connected, the host computer’s screen will appear in your computer's window.

• On Mac, you will double-click the connection name you just created in the My Desktops list.

• Consider disabling the time limit for the "Sleep" or "Hibernate" mode on the host computer, as you won't be able to connect to a computer in either of these modes.
• If you don't have a password set on your Windows computer, you must create one before you can use Remote Desktop.

• The computer you want to access remotely must be powered on for another device to establish a connection.