Although Windows 10 includes a remote desktop feature, you can also use the “Chrome Remote Desktop” app to remotely access and manage a computer if you’re a Google Chrome user.
Similar to the solution built on Windows 10, the app for Chrome allows you to access your device from anywhere using an internet connection, but the major difference is that this solution is available for Windows 10 Home and Pro, and you don’t have to reconfigure the device firewall or forward any ports on your router.
In this guide, you will learn the steps to use the Chrome Remote Desktop app to manage a device or access your files and apps remotely over the internet on Windows 10 Home or any other edition of the operating system.
Enable remote desktop on Windows 10 Home
To enable remote desktop on Windows 10 Home with Google Chrome, use these steps:
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Open the Chrome Remote Desktop app download page in Chrome.
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Click the Add to Chrome button.
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Click the Add extension button.
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Sign in with your Google account (if applicable).
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Click the Access my computer option.
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Click the Remote Access from the left pane.
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Click the Accept & Install button.
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Click the Yes button.
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(Optional) Choose a name for your Windows 10 Home computer.
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Click the Next button.
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Create a six-digit PIN for remote desktop connection.
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Click the Start button.
Once you complete the steps, you’ll be able to access the computer (as long it’s turned on) from anywhere in the world using Google Chrome on another device whether you’re using the Home or Pro edition of Windows 10.
Start remote desktop connection using Chrome
To start a remote desktop connection to a Windows 10 Home computer with Chrome, use these steps:
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Sign in with the Google account you set up the remote desktop.
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Under the “Remote devices” section, click the device running Windows 10 Home to start a remote desktop.
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Confirm your remote access PIN.
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Click the right-arrow button.
After you complete the steps, the remote desktop session will start to continue working from home on another location.
Also, you can click the arrow button on the middle right of the session to access settings, such as full-screen, scale, input controls, show dual-screens in the remote session, and disconnect the session. Or you can always click the Stop Sharing button to terminate the remote session.
We focus this guide on Windows 10, but the Chrome Remote Desktop app is also available for macOS and older versions of Windows and on Windows 11.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].