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Today's technology has come a long way in closing the divide between Windows and Mac applications, especially in the enterprise. However, a gap still exists for some and requires a bridge to move between computing environments.
For Mac users, the stalwart tool has been the Microsoft Remote Desktop connection. Available now through the Mac App store, it allows users to remotely connect to a Windows desktop to access local files, applications, and network resources. Note: If you want to access Microsoft Remote Desktop on a newer Mac running macOS Sierra, check out instead.
In order to get started with Microsoft Remote Desktop, you must begin by downloading it from the Mac App Store. Click the blue 'App Store' icon in your dock. Or, you can download it from our sister site Download.com. Next, open the application by clicking through the grey 'Launchpad' icon and clicking on the Remote Desktop app icon. Or, you can use the searchlight feature by clicking the looking glass at the top right of your home screen, or by using the shortcut Command + Space Bar, and searching for 'Microsoft Remote Desktop.'
Opening the app should look like this: If you think you'll be frequently using this remote desktop connection, now would be a good time to set it in your dock. Right click (control + click) on the icon, mouse over 'Options,' and click 'Keep in Dock.' This will keep you from having to look for the icon every time you need to use it. At this point you'll need to enable remote access on your target PC. For a Windows 8 machine, the fastest way to get this done is to search for 'Allow remote access to your computer' and click on that when it comes up. You may need an administrator password to complete this step. Under the 'System Properties' box you should see 'Remote Desktop' and the button labeled 'Allow remote connections to this computer' should be selected.
Next, you'll need to select the users who will be able to be accessed through the remote desktop connection. Now, search for 'System' and click it when it appears. Turn off hibernation and sleep settings for the target PC, as you won't be able to access it remotely if it falls asleep. SEE: (Tech Pro Research) While still in 'System,' it's a good time to go ahead and get your full PC name if you don't already have it, as you'll need it to set up the connection.
Click on 'Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings' to find the full PC name and write it down. Enabling a Windows 7 computer is a little different, but you can find out how to do that. Head back to your Mac and click the 'New' button at the top left of the Microsoft Remote Desktop screen. You'll be prompted to fill in quite a few fields. The first thing you'll need to input is the connection name.
This is simply what you want to call the connection and it has no real bearing on the connection itself. For example, you could call it 'John's work computer,' or 'Jennifer's PC.' Next, you'll need to input the PC name (the one you wrote down from earlier), or the IP address so your Mac knows where to find your PC. The next line down allows you to configure a Gateway, which would let you connect to virtual desktops or session-based desktops that are on your company's network. Check with your network administrator to see if there is a gateway you are to use.
Credentials is where you will type in the domain, username, and password for the target PC so you can log in through the remote connection. Resolution, colors, and full screen mode are all personal preferences for how you want the remote desktop to launch on your machine. If you're not sure, start with the standard settings and go from there. If you want to configure peripheral devices for your remote desktop, you can find options for that under the middle tab, 'Session.' The first choice is a drop-down menu for sound. You can disable sound, have it play on the remote PC, or have it play on your Mac.
If you want to connect to an administrator session on a Windows server, click the box next to 'Connect to admin session.' The next option to 'Forward printing devices' will make your local printers available during your remote desktop session. 'Swap mouse buttons' will allow you to use left click commands with a right-click Mac mouse.
The last tab at the top of the window is 'Redirection.' This is where you would choose a local folder you wanted to be available during your remote session.
Click the '+' button, choose a name for the folder, and input the folder's path to have it available. When you are finished configuring your remote desktop, click the red close button at the top left of the dialog box and your new remote desktop will be added. To start a session with that desktop, simply double-click it to begin. If you want to edit, duplicate, export, or delete that remote connection, right-click (control + click) on the desktop name to access those options. If you don't think Microsoft Remote Desktop is the option for you, here are some other options available at Download.com:. What do you think?
Is there a better way to access your Windows applications? Tell us in the comments.
Advertisement It’s easy to access and work on your Windows PC from a Mac. Microsoft offers a free tool to do the job. Read on to learn how to set up and use Microsoft Remote Desktop for Mac. Remote Desktop for Mac is relatively simple to set up.
It lets you use your Windows apps, work with files, or doing anything else you’d normally do on Windows directly from your MacBook or other macOS machine. Step 1: Prepare Your Windows PC Microsoft Remote Desktop requires Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise, or Windows Server. The software runs on Microsoft’s proprietary RDP protocol, which isn’t available on the standard Windows 10 Home Edition. If you need to connect to a PC running Home, one of will help you out.
The first steps to set up Remote Desktop for Mac occur on your Windows computer. On your Windows 10 machine, open the Start menu and go to Settings System Remote Desktop. Set Enable Remote Desktop to On, and click Confirm when prompted. Your PC needs to be on and awake for you to connect remotely. You might therefore want to activate the Keep my PC awake option. To do this, click Show settings alongside it and set Sleep to Never.
You should probably only do this if you need constant remote access to the computer. If you don’t, then allowing it to sleep is wise. Next, scroll down to User accounts.
By default, the account you’re logged into will automatically have remote access permissions. To allow other users to log in remotely, click Select users to add their usernames. Get Your PC Name and IP Address Finally, you need to grab a couple of pieces of info before you switch over to your Mac. On the same Remote Desktop menu, under How to connect to this PC, make a note of your PC name.
If the current name is generic and you’d like to make it something that’s easier to remember, switch to the About tab and click Rename this PC. Next, you need to find your computer’s IP address on your network. Go to Settings Network & internet. Select Wi-Fi (or Ethernet if you using a wired connection), then click on the network you’re connected to. This opens the network connection properties screen. Scroll to the bottom of the page and locate the IPv4 address in the list.
Make a note of this number. In the dialog box that opens, type in the PC Name that you checked earlier.
If you find that you’re unable to connect with this name, use the IP address you made note of instead. By default, User Account is set to Ask me every time. This means it will prompt you for a username and password each time you connect. If you don’t want this, click the dropdown list and select Add account. Add your username in the format domain username. You can add your password as well, for an automatic login.
Leave it blank and you’ll get a prompt to enter it each time. That’s all you need to do to set up a connection. Click Save and you can connect. However, you might want to adjust a few other settings before you go any further. Step 4: Configure Your Remote Connection Click Show More to change your settings.
Here, you’re able to configure how your remote connection works:. In the General tab, add a Friendly Name to make a computer recognizable if you’ve got more than one connection set up. Under the Display tab, click Fit session to window if you aren’t planning on using the remote connection in full screen mode. Also, set Optimize for Retina Displays if you’re working on a high-res monitor.
In the Sound tab, choose which computer should play sound (if either), and whether you want to be able to use your Mac’s microphone. However, the most important option is Local Resources. This enables you to make certain folders on your Mac accessible within your remote Windows session. You can access these folders through the Windows File Explorer, where you’ll find them under This PC.
You can work on files stored on your Mac in a Windows app, or copy files between the machines. It’s all contained within the remote session, however. Sharing a folder in this way does not make the folder accessible on the physical Windows computer. Click Save to finish setting up your connection. Step 5: Connect!
You’re now ready to connect. Your PC must be turned on and awake, and connected to the same network as your Mac. The Remote Desktop app will list your computer, with a thumbnail preview, under Saved Desktops.
Double-click it to connect. If you didn’t change the settings, you’ll need to enter your username and/or password now.
Remember, the username must be in the format domain username. Security Warning You’ll now see a security warning relating to an unverified certificate.
If you’re at home, or working on a small business network, you can click Continue and ignore the message. If you’re on a large network with public access, be wary about doing this. Once You’re Connected When your Mac establishes the remote desktop connection, your Windows PC will lock and switch to the login screen.
If anyone tries to use the PC, your remote session will end. You can’t have two people using the same computer at once. Using Windows on Your Mac Unless you changed the setting, your remote desktop session opens in full screen. To use it in a window instead, move your mouse pointer to the top of the screen and click the green window button at the top-left.
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Using Windows through Remote Desktop is pretty much the same as using it on a dedicated computer. One of the few changes—and a possible point of confusion—is that the app maps the keyboard shortcuts for cut, copy, and paste to the ones used in macOS, using the Command key.
However, some other shortcuts continue to use the Control key as they do in Windows. You can launch apps, work on files, or even play games if you want to. There may be a little lag during heavy use, but most of the time it’s fast and responsive. You can’t drag and drop files between Mac and Windows. They share the clipboard by default, though, so you can copy and paste between them instead.
For a greater level of file sharing, set up a shared folder using the Local Resources setting, as we outlined above. Disconnecting and Deleting Your Desktop To disconnect and end the session, simply close the Remote Desktop window on your Mac. You can edit your settings at any time by hovering your mouse over the thumbnail in Saved Desktop and clicking the Pen icon.
To delete a desktop, right-click on it and select Delete. Remotely Access Your Computer From Anywhere Microsoft Remote Desktop is an easy way to access Windows from a Mac. But what if you need to do it the other way around, or perhaps need to bring a Linux computer or a Chromebook into the mix? The quickest solution here is to Need to remotely control your PC from another device? Struggling with RDP, or services like LogMeIn? Well, we have the solution: Google Chrome!
Let's find out how to remote control a PC with Chrome., Google’s remote access tool that runs on any desktop computer that has Chrome installed. We’ve also shown from any platform. Explore more about:,.