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This article explains how to use Chrome Remote Desktop to control one computer from another.

Reference

Environment

Destination PC

  • Windows 11
  • Google Chrome 127.0.6533.89

Source PC

  • Windows 10 64-bit
  • Google Chrome 127.0.6533.89

Table of Contents

Set up Chrome Remote Desktop on the destination PC

Start by setting up Chrome Remote Desktop on the destination PC.

Open Chrome and go to the Chrome Web Store to add Chrome Remote Desktop to Chrome.
You’ll need to be signed in to your Google account in Chrome.

Chrome Remote Desktop page on the Chrome Web Store

From Chrome extensions, open Chrome Remote Desktop.

Chrome extensions list

Click the download button for setting up remote access.

Download button for installer

Read the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, then click “Accept & Install.”

Ready to install screen

Run the installer named chromeremotedesktophost.msi from the status bar or your Downloads folder.

Return to the remote access setup screen and click “Turn On.”

Allow remote access button

Enter a name for your PC.

Choose name screen

Enter a PIN of your choice.

Enter PIN screen

Click “Start” to allow this PC to be accessed from another device.

List of available PCs to connect

Set up Chrome Remote Desktop on the source PC

Now set up Chrome Remote Desktop on the source PC.

Open Chrome and visit Chrome Remote Desktop.
Make sure you’re signed in with the same Google account as the one used on the destination PC.

Click the PC you enabled access on.

List of available PCs to connect

Enter the PIN you set up on the destination PC.

Enter PIN screen

You can now control the destination PC.

About the options panel

After connecting to a PC, you can click the “>” symbol on the right side of the screen to open the options panel. In the options panel, you can disconnect or adjust various connection settings.

Options panel

Here are some of the available options:

Disconnecting

Click “Disconnect” at the top left of the options panel to end the remote session.

Disconnect button

Video Codec

You can choose from three video codecs (compression formats): VP8, VP9, and AV1. According to this reference page, here’s a rough comparison:

Item Order
Network bandwidth usage VP8 > VP9 > AV1
Host resource usage AV1 > VP9 > VP8

AV1 requires more processing power but offers higher compression, resulting in lower data usage and faster connection speeds.

VP8 requires less processing power but offers lower compression, which may lead to more data usage and slower speeds.

Remove the destination PC setup

To remove the destination PC setup you configured here, visit Chrome Remote Desktop and click the trash can icon.

Disable remote access button

You can likely perform this action from either the destination PC or the source PC.