Ellie

By Ellie Twitter / Last Updated May 4, 2023

How can I remotely control PC over WiFi?

 

I bought a laptop, but for business reasons, I often need to use it to remotely control my desktop. Therefore, now I need to know how to remotely control PC over WiFi, just like I’m really sitting in front of my PC. How can I solve it?”

- Question from Reddit

Remotely Control PC over WiFi

Remotely control PC over WiFifrom the laptop or mobile devices [2 methods]

In fact, you can achieve PC remote control over WiFi without obstacles, with Windows built-in app Remote Desktop on the same network. When you need to remotely control PC over WiFi from a different network, it's recommended to seek out a third-party PC remote access app.Now, keep reading to realize how to remotely control PC over WiFi from both laptop and mobile devices within the same network or from a different network will be introduced in detail.

Method 1. Windows built-in program Remote Desktop

Make sure the host computer and the local device are connected to the same WiFi, then follow the steps below. Otherwise, you'll need to set up port forwarding or use a VPN.

Part 1. Set up Remote Desktop the host computer

Step 1. Navigate here: Start > Settings > System > Remote Desktop, and turn on Enable Remote Desktop.

Enable

Step 2. Find User accounts and click Select users that can remotely access this PC.

Find User Account

Step 3. After opening the Remote Desktop Users window, click Add to add users who are allowed to access this computer (you need to add already existing users to realize remote desktop).

Add Allowed Access Users

Part 2. Start remote control from the local device

The steps of accessing from PC and mobile devices can be a little different.

2.1 Start remtoe control from your local PC

Step 1. The client PC doesn’t need any configuration. Just search for Remote Desktop Connection in the Search box. And then open it.

Remote Desktop Connection

Step 2. Enter the IP address and user name in the Remote Desktop Connection interface to achieve connection(if you don’t know what your computer’s IP address and user name are, follow the tutorial below).

Computer

2.2 Start remtoe control from your mobile devices

The following operation steps take iOS system as an example, teaching you how to achieve iPhone remote control Windows 10. The steps are similar if you want to achieve Android remote control Windows 10.

Step 1. Search for “Microsoft Remote Desktop” in the App Store, and open the APP after the download and installation are complete.Click the “+” sign in the upper right corner of the interface, and select “Add Computer” in the pop-up window.

Add a Computer

Step 2. Add PC name and User Account, and then click Save.

Enter the IP Address of the Controlled PC

Step 3. Click the IP address icon just created, enter the user name and password of the controlled computer in the pop-up Enter Your User Account interface, and click Continue to successfully establish the connection.

Enter Account and Password

Step 4. Then you could see the screen of the controlled PC on your mobile device, and control the mouse.

Mobile Remote Control PC

How to query IP address and user name

Step 1. PressWindows key + R to invoke the Run dialog box.Type in “cmd” and press OK.Then type “ipconfig”and press Enter. Now you can see a group of IP addresses, of which the IPv4 address is the one you need.

Find the Computer Name in the Console

Step 2. Then type “query user”to see the username.

Find the Username in the Control Panel

Note: Windows 7 Starter/Home Edition, Windows 8/8.1 Home Edition, and Windows 10 Home Edition do not support Remote Desktop Connection(RDP). If you want to use it, please upgrade to the Professional or Enterprise version.

A solution to the failure of remote control PC over WiFi

Although the Windows 10 built-in remote control program Remote Desktop is convenient, some users may fail to connect over WiFi because of the firewall. If you have problems with remote control, you might as well follow the following steps to repair them:

Step 1. Navigate here: Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall.

Defender Firewall

Step 2. Click Advanced settings.

Firewall Advanced Settings

Step 3. Click Inbound Rules, and then enable all the inbound rules of Remote Desktop. You could enable or disable rule on the right pane.

Enable Remote Desktop Rules

Method 2. Free & professional third-party remote control software: AnyViewer

Windows Remote Desktop has a high reputation and enables you to control PC without downloading and installing software. However, its shortcomings are actually very obvious. For example, it can’t be used under different networks, it easily leads to delays, and it is always blocked by firewalls.

Thus, users can choose to use the free and professional third-party remote control software, AnyViewer. It can remotely control PC from PC or mobile devices over WiFi within the same network or from a different network without extra setup and IP address. And the whole session is secured by ECC end-to-end encryption. Let's see Let's take see how easy it is.

Part 1. Set up AnyViewer on the host computer

Step 1. Download, install, and run AnyViewer on the Windows-based host computer.

Download Freeware Win 11/10/8.1/8/7/Server
Secure Download

Step 2. Go to Log in, and then click Sign up to create an AnyViewer account.

Log in AnyViewer

Step 3. Then you can see you successfully logged in to AnyViewer. Your device will automatically be assigned to the account you've logged in to and displayed on the My devices list.

Free Editions

Part 2. Start remote control from the local device

The steps to use AnyViewer to access a PC from a laptop or mobile device remotely are similar.

2.1 Remotely access PC from a laptop

Step 1. On your local laptop, install and run AnyViewer. Then, log in to the same AnyViewer account.

Step 2. Go to Device, click the remote computer, and then you can achieve unattended remote access by clicking One-click control.

Connect to My Devices

✍ Note: Upgrade your account to a Professional or Enterprise planIf you want to assign more devices for one-click unattended remote access, control more computers simultaneously, or enjoy advanced features, like connecting to other computers in privacy mode.

Then, you can see the remote desktop. And it offers shortcuts to many operations, such as lock, logout, restart, command prompt (cmd), etc.

Operation

What are the advantages of AnyViewer over RDP?
Requires no IP address: It doesn’t require an IP address or computer name to achieve a remote connection.
Requires no port forwarding: It can be used on two devices on different networks without setting up port forwarding or using a VPN.
Supports Home/Standard: It supports devices running multiple Windows versions, including Windows 10 Home Edition, while RDP can’t be used to connect to Windows 10 Home Edition (some other editions as well).
Supports chat in session: It supports chat in session for convenient communication, which can be helpful for remote support.

2.2Remotely access PC from mobile devices

Step 1. Download AnyViewer for iOS or Android from App Store or Google Play. Log in to the same AnyViewer account.

Log in to AnyViewer iOS

Step 2. Then all the devices logged in to the same account will be displayed here.

My Device iOS

Step 3. Tap the remote computer, and tap One-clickcontrolto achieve unattended remote access to the specific computer.

Unattended Remote Control iOS

Step 4. Then you'll be successfully connecting to the remote PC from your mobile device. It supports both vertical and horizontal screens, you can switch freely.

iPhone to AnyViewer

Conclusion

Whether you are using a laptop or a mobile device to remotely control PC over WiFi, the Windows built-in Remote Desktop and mobile Microsoft Remote Desktop software is only applicable when the two devices are connected to the same WiFi. Otherwise, you'll need to take more steps to set up port forwarding or use a VPN, which is very complicated for most users.

Besides, users also reflected that they often encounter problems like your credential did not work, user account did not work, and Windows 10 clipboard did not work when using RDP, making it more difficult to use it.

Therefore, AnyViewer, which can support remote control even if the two devices are under different networks, can be your best choice.AnyViewer can better adapt to different network environments and bring stronger connection stability and security. Under normal network speed, it can provide higher image quality. It can help you to become a master of remote control even if you’re not a tech-savvy person.