How to access Windows remotely from your Mac
Long gone are the days when you had to be physically present to access a computer. What once seemed like science fiction is now a reality for the average Windows user.
Remote access allows you to easily access your Windows from distant locations. Here we lay out the different ways you can do that. So let’s start.
Here’s how to remotely access your Windows PC on your Mac
To access any computer remotely – whether it’s on Windows, Mac or Linux – you have to rely on a process called Remote Access. It’s a fairly simple method that allows you to access any computer or network using a network connection.
To access your Windows computer from your Mac, you need to use remote access software. It is a special program that allows you to access your PC remotely. And in 2022, there are plenty of ways to do that. We will discuss the two most practical: Microsoft Remote Desktop and Team Viewer.
1. Microsoft Remote Desktop
A handy option for remote access is Microsoft Remote Desktop. It is Microsoft’s official free remote transfer and remote access app that allows you to easily connect to a remote PC.
To start remote desktop sharing, you need to install the app on both systems first. Go to the Mac Store on your Mac and get the official Remote Desktop app there.
Similarly, go to the App Store on your Windows computer and download the app.
Launch the app on both computers. Then go to your Mac, launch the app and click Add PC.
in the Add PC window you need to enter the IP address of your Windows computer. You can easily find out your Windows IP address using Command Prompt. Just go to start menu Search bar, type “cmd” and select the best match. In the command prompt, type “ipconfig” and press Enter. Look for IPv4 – it contains your IP address.
Now enter this IP address in the PC name Pillar. You can also give your PC a suitable name in the if you wish friendly name Section. Finally click on Save on computer.
Now right click on the icon of your newly saved connection in the Remote Desktop app on your Mac. The connection will start to initiate a new connection and you’ll be able to access your Windows in no time.
However, if this is not possible, you may need to manually enable the remote desktop setting on Windows first. Here’s how:
- Beat those Windows key + I to open Windows Settings.
- Go to System > Remote Desktop and toggle the switch for remote desktop.
Note that the remote desktop feature is only available for the Pro and Enterprise editions of Windows. So if you’re running the Home edition of Windows, Microsoft’s Remote Desktop app won’t work for you. If this is the case then the second method below is what you are looking for.
2. Team Viewer
TeamViewer is proprietary remote access software first released in 2005. It’s your all-in-one solution for remotely accessing computers and networks from other computers or laptops.
The software has seen many new additions since its initial release in 2005. For example, not only can you see the remote screen from the endpoint, but you can also share and receive various files from both computers.
To set up remote access on your PC via TeamViewer app, first go to TeamViewer official website and download the app from there. Do this for both your Mac and Windows.
Now start the app on both systems. On your Mac in the control remote computers In the Partner ID of your PC section, enter the ID of your Windows machine and click Connect.
Once you do this, the app will start connecting and authenticate a new connection.
A new dialog box will open asking for the password on your Windows PC. Enter the password and click log in.
That’s it, your Mac will get access to the Windows PC right away. It will look like this:
Everything you do through this remote window – deleting files, opening a browser, etc. – takes place in real time on your Windows PC.
To close the session, just click Close[X] Icon in the bottom right corner of your TeamViewer app.
Use Windows PC through your Mac
There are a variety of reasons why you might want to access Windows PC through your Mac. Whether you need to troubleshoot home PC problems from your office or just want to collaborate with your colleagues, remote access to your PC across different operating systems such as Mac is now a viable choice for almost all Windows users thanks to handy remote access apps. user there. Team Viewer and Microsoft Remote Desktop are among the best out there, but they’re certainly not the only ones.
If remote access is a long-term setup for you, make sure you only choose from the best.