For many people, Chromebook they are all the equipment they need. Aside from some high-end video and image editing, there aren’t many things you can’t do within a web browser these days. If there are times when you need a full Windows or macOS desktop application running on Chrome OS, it’s pretty easy to set up, as long as you have another Windows or macOS computer around you can link to. This is perfect if you use your Chromebook in a room at home and have a MacBook in a different room, or if you want to run programs from your Windows computer to your Chromebook home office.
At this time, it is not possible to run full desktop applications from Windows or macOS on Chrome OS, although Google he is working on it. If you need this type of functionality, CrossOver may be what you’re looking for, though for now you can only bring Windows software to your Chromebook.
If you want to stream programs from another Windows or macOS machine to your Chromebook instead of running them natively, use Google for free. Chrome Remote Desktop is the solution you need. Quickly and easily, you get the full desktop interface from your other computer in a Chrome OS browser tab, so you can interact with it almost as if you were in front of the actual screen.
A little preparation is requiredthe computer you want to connect to and from where to transmit it. Open the file Chrome Remote Desktop in Google Chrome, sign in with your Google Account, then choose Log in to my computer option. Click on Switch on button next to Configure remote accessand you’ll be asked to give the computer a name: Choose something that will help you identify it quickly later.
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You must then enter a six-digit PIN to access this computer via the web (or via your local wifi network). When you have chosen one, click To startand Chrome will take care of some extra cleaning. In a few moments, you’ll see your computer appear on the Chrome Remote Desktop interface; click the pencil icon next to it if you need to edit its name or PIN or the trash can icon if you want to delete it. .
Once you start making connections between computers (which can be between Windows and macOS devices, as well as Chromebooks, as long as it’s related to Google Chrome), you’ll have the option to mark the links as trusted, so the PIN doesn’t will be required again after establishing the first connection. If you want to change this setting, click View / Edit next to any computer on the Chrome Remote Desktop list.
On the real Chromebook, go back to Chrome Remote Desktop page to start. Your Google Account keeps all of these devices in sync and tells the utility which computers you have access to. Click on Log in to my computer and you should see the Windows or macOS machine you just set up appear on the screen: select your computer, enter your PIN when prompted, and be able to connect.
A session options tab appears below, so you can decide whether or not you want the other computer to play in full screen and choose how the remote desktop is scaled to the browser tab. In the same tab, which you can access at any time, by clicking the right arrow, you can transfer files between devices and switch to other screens if your Windows or macOS computer has several.
AbsolutelyYou need the computer from which you are streaming to be turned on and connected to the Internet so that you can access it from your Chromebook. We also recommend that you close other streaming applications, both on the computers involved, and to make sure the connection stays as stable as you need it.
Then you can continue with what you need to do on Windows or macOS, right from your Chromebook: load Photoshop, sign in your file system, run office desktop applications or whatever. Streaming won’t be as smooth as when accessing something like Netflix or Spotify, but it’s good enough to handle most computer tasks. Also note that the options tab provides you with links to simulate keystrokes, such as Print screen on the computer you’re connecting to.
A message will appear on the computer you’re connecting to when you access it remotely, so you’ll know if unexpected connections occur and when you want to disconnect from your Chromebook, you can click Disconnect in the options tab or simply close the browser window.