Transfer files using chrome remote desktop

Chrome Remote Desktop is one of the most popular remote desktop applications available for free. It’s quick to set up, easy to use and provides a stable connection between remote computers.

Chrome Remote Desktop is more than enough if all you need is connecting to your own devices now and then, or helping out a family member or a friend with a quick computer fix.

But what if you’re starting out an IT support business of your own and need to assist a larger number of remote users outside your network? Will Chrome Remote Desktop suffice?

Let’s dive in and consider some of the key pros and cons of using Chrome Remote Desktop.

Pros

1. It’s free. Like any other proprietary remote desktop service, Chrome Remote Desktop comes free of charge. You don’t have to spend a single dollar on a commercial tool if your needs are limited to accessing your own devices on-the-go or remoting into a friend’s computer.
2. It’s quick to set up. You don’t have to be tech savvy to run Chrome Remote Desktop on your computer. If you have Chrome browser installed on it, then you’re almost all set.

Cons

1. No built-in chat. Built-in text chat is one of the key features of a great remote desktop application, as you’ll obviously need to exchange messages with the remote user in real time to avoid any miscommunication. Sure, you can use Google Hangouts for that, but that’s far from being convenient.
2. Chrome browser is required. If you’re not a fan of Google Chrome, which is believed to be quite resource-consuming, then Chrome Remote Desktop isn’t for you, as it doesn’t work with any other browsers. Besides that, you’ll need a Google account to use the application.
3. No [drag-and-drop] file transfer. There are many situations where you might need to send a file to the remote computer. While many third-party remote desktop tools, such as FixMe.IT, provide an intuitive file transfer capability by allowing you to drag and drop or copy and paste files or folders, Chrome Remote Desktop fails to do the same.
4. Inability to reboot the remote machine and automatically reconnect. This is another vital feature to have when it comes to supporting users remotely. It allows you to restart the remote computer even in the user’s absence and automatically reconnect without having to end the active session. Read this post to learn more about the benefits of using remote reboot.
5. No multi-monitor support. In fact, Chrome Remote Desktop does allow to view multiple remote monitors on your screen. The bad news is that all of the remote monitors of the machine you’re connected to will be crammed into your display, and you won’t be able to conveniently navigate between them.
6. No multi-session handling. Chrome Remote Desktop simply can’t handle dozens of simultaneous connections with different network settings, which makes it unsuitable for viewing/controlling multiple devices. Techinline’s FixMe.IT, in turn, allows you to run an unlimited number of concurrent remote desktop sessions and easily switch between them in the process. Besides that, FixMe.IT lets you open multiple remote desktop windows and even transfer files between different remote machines.

Conclusion

Whether it’s accessing your own devices on-the-go or sharing your screen with a friend or family member, Chrome Remote Desktop is a great tool that’s free and easy to use. However, if your goal is to deliver high-quality remote tech support, you’d better consider third-party applications such as FixMe.IT. Chrome Remote Desktop is simply not that feature-rich to serve as a full-blown business tool.

Visit our website to learn more about the FixMe.IT remote desktop application and its features. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn to get all the latest product and blog updates as they happen.

Learn More About FixMe.IT

Google Remote Desktop is a handy tool that allows users to access their home computer from any other computer or mobile device with an internet connection. However, one major inconvenience of the program is that copy and paste functions do not work properly. This can be a major inconvenience for users who need to transfer text between computers.

The recent version of the Chrome Remote Desktop extension has the option to enable copy and paste enabled by default. You can use Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V in the remote tab to carry out those 2 tasks.

That’s for text. If you want to copy and paste files or folders, you need to use another feature via the extension’s menu.

Chrome Remote Desktop provides users the ability to transfer with the Upload and Download options.

On the arrow on the right side of the extension, there is an arrow that will expand all of the available features and settings on tap. Then you can scroll down to the File transfer section to view menu items for moving files between 2 computers.

Securely access your computer whenever you're away, using your phone, tablet, or another computer.

Share your screen to collaborate in real-time, or connect with another computer to give or receive remote support.

It's fast and simple

Whether you need to access your work computer from home, view a file from your home computer while traveling, or share your screen with friends or colleagues, Chrome Remote Desktop connects you to your devices using the latest web technologies.

Convenient

Remotely access your computer to view files or run programs anytime, from anywhere.

Secure

Built on Google's secure infrastructure using the latest open web technologies like WebRTC, you can connect to your devices or share your screen with confidence.

Simple

Connect however you want, using a computer or your Android or iOS device. Whichever way you choose, you can rely on easy access to all of your computers and files when you need them.

Imagine being able to access your PC from anywhere in the world as long as you have a device connected to the Internet. Remote access has been a real game changer for support personnel and the travelling workforce. We have been discussing some free options for remote PC support and we want to talk about another useful option here.

Chrome Remote Desktop is another free remote computer support application that is simple to use and install. It runs as en extension inside the popular Google Chrome browser.

You can fine the related downloads below:

Google Chrome

Chrome Remote Desktop

Chrome Remote Desktop is very flexible. Since it is running inside the Chrome browser it can be used on computers with different operating systems. It can work on computers running Microsoft Windows, Mac or Linux. And, you can connect to and from computers with any of these operating systems.

If you want to connect from a mobile device, then you are in good shape too. There are apps available in the Google Play Store and the iTunes store. This means you can connect to a computer running any of the above mentioned operating systems from an iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet.

Admittedly, there are other options out there that offer way more options. The main one being that both the connecting computer and the host have to use Google Chrome [which is a great browser]. But, Chrome Remote Desktop is quick and easy to install and its operating system flexibility is a huge plus. It also works with hosts that run on multiple computers. So, you are able to see what they see from either screen. You can also switch to full screen mode to get a better view and transfer files from the remote machine.

There is one disadvantage to using Chrome RDP: security. While the software is said to be relatively safe for most users, data leaks can still occur. Because of this, you should think about using a VPN along with Chrome RDP to connect to a VPN server, avoiding major hacks and patching up any security flaws.

Inside Chrome Remote Desktop

Chrome Remote Desktop has an option for spontaneous support and for unattended access. Spontaneous support is when you need to give temporary access to someone using a special code that only they will know. Unattended access is basically where the remote access is enabled permanently giving you the ability to access the PC at any time.

In order to use the software, you have to login to the browser using your Google account.

If you would like to enable someone to access your computer a single time, then you will use Remote Assistance. It will generate a one time number that you give to the other person. Once they complete the connection, the number  can no longer be used to connect to your machine again.

If you need permanent access to a computer, then you will add it in the My Computers section and enable remote connections. This will generate a PIN number that you can use over and over to connect.

If you want an application that is easy to install and work with then you cannot go wrong with Chrome Remote Desktop. It is limiting in that both people need Google Chrome, but it is a very good remote access application. However, if you are needing something with more features then you may want to look elsewhere. Check out our article on free remote access software to get more ideas. You can find the link at the beginning of the article.

This is a reasonably secure and simple tool provided by Google as an add-on extension to their "Chrome" browser.  It is completely free - for both personal and commercial purposes.  The extension is very easy to install and use.  It has two modes:

• Remote Access:  This allows you to access your work computer from home [or vice versa], or from another remote location.
• Remote Support:  This can be utilised as an alternative mechanism for Adminsoft to provide you with remote support.  You can also use it to allow a remotely located person to "look over your shoulder" at your screen while you discuss something over the phone - e.g. a colleague or manager who is working from home at the time.  [They need to have Chrome Remote Desktop installed on their own computer - but using their own Chrome account, not yours.]

Chrome Remote Desktop currently does not have a 'file transfer' facility - although you normally don't need this, if you are merely doing everything on your work computer.  But, if your really do need to work on a file off-line at home, this can usually be achieved by sending it as an attachment to your home email address - just don't forget to send it back to your work computer when you have finished.]  Alternatively, if you have a file syncing tool like DropBox or OneDrive on your work computer, you can share a folder with your home computer, and and use this as your file transfer mechanism instead.

While you do need to run Chrome in order to use this facility, you do not have to make Chrome your 'default browser' if you prefer to use something else [like FireFox, Edge, or Internet Explorer].

Installing the Chrome Remote Desktop Add-On to your Chrome Browser

• You must have created [and signed into] a Chrome account on your work computer - using your work email for this account.  [Do not use your private email address, as this work one should be a separate account.]
• You can read more about this tool at:  //remotedesktop.google.com/
• Download / install the Chrome extension from this site.
• Follow the instructions - which are fairly simple and intuitive.

Remote Support - by Adminsoft [or a Colleague working remotely]

• Open your Chrome browser, and log into your Chrome account [if not done automatically].
• Go to the special "support" page on the "Chrome Remote Desktop" website:  //remotedesktop.google.com/support  [It is a good idea to bookmark this page.]
• Click on the "Generate Code" button.  This will generate a unique set of numbers which is the temporary access code for your computer.
• Simply dictate these numbers to us over the phone.
• When we type this into Chrome Remote Desktop at our end, the Google server will connect us to your computer.

Preparing your Work Computer for Remote Access

Chrome Remote Desktop enables you to access your work computer remotely, initiated from your computer at home, from a tablet [perhaps out in the field], or even from your phone.  Your work screen is relayed to your remote computer or device, and touch-screen / mouse and keystrokes on it are relayed back to your work computer as if you were using its mouse and keyboard.

In the first instance, we recommend that you discuss this with your normal IT support provider.  They may prefer that you use Windows Remote Desktop over your VPN.  [These days, this Microsoft facility can work from any device - including Android and Apple.]  Alternatively, they could endorse use of Google's Chrome Remote Desktop for this, and even set it up for you.

Assuming that they approve of the Google option, but you will set it up for yourself, then this is a relatively simple process, as described above.  If you have not yet done this, then do the following:

• Using the Chrome browser [and signed into your Chrome account] on your work computer, go to //remotedesktop.google.com/access
• Download and install the Chrome Extension.
• The rest of the process is fairly self-explanatory and easy to follow.
• You will need to provide an 8 digit security PIN. [The full date-of-birth of someone you know, is usually a good idea - e.g. a sibling, parent, or grand-parent.  You should easily remember this, but others won't be able to guess it.]
• You will be leaving your computer running unattended. Therefore, you should add a password to your screen saver, so that cleaners or other unauthorised people cannot access it.
• You also need to check your power settings, to ensure that your computer doesn't go into a "hybernate" state, when inactive for a long time.  [This would make it unresponsive to any remote access requests.]
• If you want to print reports or draft invoices on your printer at home, then set up the "Google Cloud Print Driver" on your work computer.  This can be downloaded from //tools.google.com/dlpage/cloudprintdriver

Using Chrome Remote Desktop to access your work computer from home

• If you want to have a "Remote Access" session from home, then you understandably must leave your work computer running when you depart the office - with Chrome Remote Desktop enabled.
• If you will not need to access your work computer remotely for several days / weeks, then you can disable this extension in your Chrome browser of your work computer, for added safety.  [While Chrome Remote Desktop is reasonably secure, it is just good computing practice not to leave any remote access facility open unnecessarily.]  You can easily enable it again later, when you want to start using it again [from the work computer itself - you obviously cannot do it remotely].  However, if you are not paranoid, and want flexibility to access your computer remotely at any time, then it is pretty safe to always leave it enabled.  Alternatively, if you know that you won't need to access your computer overnight, you can simply turn your computer off when you leave the office.

Remote Access from Home

• At home you need to install the Chrome Remote Desktop extension [if you have not already done so], using the same procedure as described for the work computer.
• You must add your work Google / Chrome account to your Chrome account[s] on your home computer.  You will use this to access your work computer remotely [and won't be able to see it using any other Chrome account.]  When it offers to do so, select the option to create a shortcut for this account on your Windows desktop.  [This provides a convenient method to launch a Chrome window, signed into your Work Chrome account.  You can also create a shortcut to launch Chrome with your personal Chrome account.]
• Select / open a Chrome window that is logged in using your Work account [or "Switch person" by clicking on the account icon that displays at the top right of the Chrome title bar].  Note:  You must use your work Chrome account to access your work computer.  [You will not be able to even see your work computer, if you are logged in to a different Chrome account.  This is a fairly robust component of the security requirements that make Chrome Remote Desktop reasonably safe.]
• Go to //remotedesktop.google.com/access  [It is a good idea to save this as a bookmark.]
• Your work computer should be displayed. Click on it to establish a remote connection.
• Enter your special 8 digit security PIN when asked.
• You should then see the screen for your work computer. [You will probably need to enter the password for your screen saver.]

Printing Work Documents and Reports to your Printer at Home

We have provided information on this in a special section on our "Working from Home" webpage".  Click here to view this.

Allow multiple users to access a spare computer from their home

If you have a spare computer sitting around, it may be useful to allow certain personnel to access it remotely on an ad hoc basis.  [They will not be able to do so simultaneously!!!]  For instance, this would let these individuals fill in their timesheet from home, because they did not go back to the office after a site visit.  Or it might let a staff member access Adminsoft using their laptop computer over their motel's WIFI [or better still, using mobile data through their phone], if they are spending a few days in a distant town to work on a job there.

• Create a special Chrome account for the spare computer. If Outlook [or Thunderbird] is configured with a unique email account on that computer, you can use this email address as the Chrome account.  Otherwise, you can create a special gmail account for this purpose [your call whether this is meaningfully named, or very cryptic].
• Launch Chrome and sign in to this special account.
• Follow all the procedures as per the previous section ["Using Chrome Remote Desktop to access your work computer from home"].  However, you should choose a PIN that is easier for your staff to remember [or perhaps let them write it down somewhere in their diary].  And you will obviously need to repeat the 'Access from Home' steps on each person's laptop [or home computer], so that it can be used for this purpose.

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