How to use Chrome Remote Desktop to access another computer
Chrome Remote Desktop is a free extension from Google that lets you use the Chrome browser to connect to another computer remotely.
Because Google Chrome is such a widely used browser, it naturally makes Chrome Remote Desktop a convenient tool for helping family members and friends with their computers. Whether they are Windows, Mac, or something else, as long as they can run Chrome, you can also use it to connect remotely.
You can also use Chrome Remote Desktop to connect to other computers you may own. It's handy if you're away from home but need to connect to our home desktop computer!
Warning! Scammers use programs like Chrome Remote Desktop to access your computer and steal your money, so if someone you don't know in person asks you to install Chrome Remote Desktop, you should not! No well-known brand, not even Google itself, will ever ask you to install Chrome Remote Desktop to help you with a problem.
To access Chrome Remote Desktop, go to https://remotedesktop.google.com. You will see two options: " Access your computer" and "Share my screen."
Share My Screen
"Share my screen" is the option to use if you want to connect to help a friend or family member with their computer. It is also the section they will need to go to to allow you to connect to their computer.
To use Share My Screen, you must install the Chrome Remote Desktop Chrome Extension on both computers. The website should offer you the software to install it, but if it doesn't, you can download it here from the Chrome Webstore.
Once you have installed the Chrome Remote Desktop Extension, reload the website. In the Share This Screen box, there will be a download icon with the software you need to download and install on your computer. Go ahead and download and install that software.
Once the software is installed, the Share My Screen box should now show a Generate Code button. If you click this button, a code will be generated, which you need to give to the person connecting to your computer. The code is valid for 5 minutes, and you must generate a new code if you don't pass the code over in time.
If someone is remote accessing your computer, they need to enter the code into the "Connect To Another Computer" box and then click "Connect." If everything has gone to plan, your friend or family member should be able to see your desktop and control your computer.
Access Your Computer
"Access your computer" is the option to use if you want to connect to your computer while you are away. Using this option, you can connect to a computer you own from another computer you own. For example, if you are away from home and want access to your desktop computer, you can use this option to access your home computer from your laptop or mobile device. Remember to install this option on all devices that you want to access and the devices you will use to access your other devices.
Setting up and using Chrome Remote Desktop's Access Your Computer feature is similar to setting up Share My Screen. Depending on how you intend to access your computer, you need to install the Chrome Remote Desktop Extension on all computers; there is also a mobile app if you plan to access your computer through your mobile.
Once you have installed the software, Chrome Remote Desktop will ask you to give your computers a name to quickly identify which one you wish to connect to and set up a PIN code so only you can access the computer when it is turned on. As long as you are signed into your Google account and know the pin on another device, you can use Chrome Remote Desktop to access your computer remotely.
