Get started with Remote Desktop on Mac.; 7 minutes to read Contributors. All; In this article. Applies To: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2016. You can use the Remote Desktop client for Mac to work with Windows apps, resources, and desktops from your Mac computer.
-->Applies to: Windows 10, Windows Server 2016
When you connect to your PC by using a Remote Desktop client, you're creating a peer-to-peer connection. This means you need direct access to the PC (sometimes called 'the host'). If you need to connect to your PC from outside of the network your PC is running on, you need to enable that access. You have a couple of options: use port forwarding or set up a VPN.
Enable port forwarding on your router
Port forwarding simply maps the port on your router's IP address (your public IP) to the port and IP address of the PC you want to access.
Specific steps for enabling port forwarding depend on the router you're using, so you'll need to search online for your router's instructions. For a general discussion of the steps, check out wikiHow to Set Up Port Forwarding on a Router.
Before you map the port you'll need the following:
- PC internal IP address: Look in Settings > Network & Internet > Status > View your network properties. Find the network configuration with an 'Operational' status and then get the IPv4 address.
- Your public IP address (the router's IP). There are many ways to find this - you can search (in Bing or Google) for 'my IP' or view the Wi-Fi network properties (for Windows 10).
- Port number being mapped. In most cases this is 3389 - that's the default port used by Remote Desktop connections.
- Admin access to your router.WarningYou're opening your PC up to the internet - make sure you have a strong password set for your PC.
After you map the port, you'll be able to connect to your host PC from outside the local network by connecting to the public IP address of your router (the second bullet above).
The router's IP address can change - your internet service provider (ISP) can assign you a new IP at any time. To avoid running into this issue, consider using Dynamic DNS - this lets you connect to the PC using an easy to remember domain name, instead of the IP address. Your router automatically updates the DDNS service with your new IP address, should it change.
With most routers you can define which source IP or source network can use port mapping. So, if you know you're only going to connect from work, you can add the IP address for your work network - that lets you avoid opening the port to the entire public internet. If the host you're using to connect uses dynamic IP address, set the source restriction to allow access from the whole range of that particular ISP.
You might also consider setting up a static IP address on your PC so the internal IP address doesn't change. If you do that, then the router's port forwarding will always point to the correct IP address.
Use a VPN
If you connect to your local area network by using a virtual private network (VPN), you don't have to open your PC to the public internet. Instead, when you connect to the VPN, your RD client acts like it's part of the same network and be able to access your PC. There are a number of VPN services available - you can find and use whichever works best for you.
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 the best remote access tools 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.
Step 2: Install Microsoft Remote Desktop for Mac
Now, switch to your Mac and install Microsoft Remote Desktop, available free in the Mac App Store. Microsoft also offers versions of the app for iOS and Android.
The instructions for those platforms are the same as the ones we use here.
Step 3: Add Your PC to Microsoft Remote Desktop
Launch the Remote Desktop client on your Mac. Click Add Desktop to begin.
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:
![Mac Mac](/uploads/1/2/5/8/125852343/801548640.png)
- 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]. Click OK.
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.
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.
![Remote Desktop For Quickbooks Windows To Mac Remote Desktop For Quickbooks Windows To Mac](http://tactig.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Remote-Access-Windows-10-with-Mac-OSX.jpg)
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 set up Chrome Remote DesktopControl Your PC From Anywhere Using Chrome Remote DesktopControl Your PC From Anywhere Using Chrome Remote DesktopNeed 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.Read More, Google’s remote access tool that runs on any desktop computer that has Chrome installed. We’ve also shown how to remote access your Mac from any platform.
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