[3 Ways] How to Remote Desktop over Internet Windows 10/11

How do I remote desktop over the Internet? You can read through this guide to get the 3 easiest ways to access PC remotely over the Internet via Windows RDP, Chrome Remote Desktop, or AnyViewer, a professional remote access software.

Ellie

By Ellie / Updated on May 14, 2024

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How to Remotely Access another Computer Outside Your Network?

Remote Desktop over Internet

Compared with remote control over LAN, the advantages of remote control of computer over Internet are more obvious. It perfectly solves various problems whenever you are out.

  • Remotely retrieve emails sent to the wrong address.
  • Remotely access important files.
  • Remotely log in to games.
  • Remotely update Windows system or software.
  • Remotely provide technical support to families or friends.

Although remotely controlling PC over Internet has many advantages, not everyone can successfully use it! For the majority of novice users, finding a simple and effective method of remotely accessing a computer via Internet is the most important thing.

This tutorial lists the 3 most commonly used methods to remotely access to computer over Internet, and guides users to choose the most appropriate one.

How to Remote Desktop over Internet: 3 Simple Methods

If you want to remotely control PC over the Internet, you have many choices. Not only Windows 10/11 RDP, but you can also choose third-party software Chrome Remote Desktop and AnyViewer. Next, we’ll introduce these three methods in detail.

Method 1. Remote PC Control over Internet via AnyViewer [Easiest]

AnyViewer is a safe and fast remote desktop software for Windows. It supports multiple Windows versions, including Windows Home Editions. When connecting remotely, there is no need to find the IP addresses or PC names of the computers. As long as the two computers are connected to the Internet, they can achieve remote control over AnyViewer directly.

Preparation AnyViewer:

  • Connect the client computer (the controller computer) and the host computer (the controlled computer) to the Internet (it doesn’t matter whether the two computers are connected to the same network).
  • Download and install AnyViewer on the client computer and the host computer respectively.
Download Freeware Win 11/10/8.1/8/7
Secure Download

Step 1. Download, install, and launch AnyViewer on both computers.

Step 2. Click Sign up to create an AnyViewer account. (If you already have signed up on its official website, you can log in directly.)

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.

Free Editions

Step 4. Log in to the same AnyViewer account on the two devices, then you can achieve unattended remote access by clicking One-click control.

Connect to My Devices

You can also upgrade your account to AnyViewer Professional or Enterprise to enjoy more powerful functions:
Faster file transfer speed. Transfer speed for a free account is 500 KB/s, and for a paid account is up to 10 MB/s.
Increasing number of files transferred in a single time.
 Larger size of a single file that can be transferred.
 More devices can be assigned to the same account for unattended remote access.
 More Currently connected devices are displayed for checking connection history.
Connect in privacy mode to protect privacy.
Initial more concurrent connections to one computer.

Method 2. Windows Remote Desktop Connection over Internet by Port Forwarding

If the two computers are in a LAN environment, then the built-in Windows 10 RDP can be used freely. You only need to enter the host computer's IP address and user name (the computer will be controlled) into the client computer (the computer controls) to achieve remote control. However, using RDP will be much more complicated if the two computers are not in the same network environment. Then port forwarding is required to realize remote desktop over Internet. 

What is port forwarding?

Port forwarding is a technique that is used to allow external devices access to computer services on private networks. It does this by mapping an external port to an internal IP address and port. Therefore, to implement port forwarding, we must first configure the static IP address.

How to get a static IP address in Windows 10 or Windows 11

Step 1. Click Start and then click Settings. Find Network & Internet and then click it.

Network and Internet

Step 2. On the Network & Internet interface, find Advanced network settings, and click Change adapter options below.

Change Adapter Options

Step 3. Right-click your network and then click Properties.

Network Properties

Step 4. Tick Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), and click Properties.

Internet Protocol Version 4

Step 5. Turn on Use the following IP address in the General tab, change the IP address to a valid local IP address outside the scope of the local DHCP, set the Subnet mask, and set the Default gateway. Then turn on Use the following DNS server addresses, set the corresponding address in the Preferred DNS server, and click OK.

IPv4 Properties

How to find the public IP address

After completing the above steps, it means that you’ve finished setting the static IP. But the static IP can only be used in a LAN environment; we also need to get the external IP address (that is, the public IP address) for remote desktop over Internet.

First, open the Chrome browser, enter “what is my IP” in the search box, and then you can see the public IP address (remember not to share your public IP address with anyone to avoid security issues).

My Public IP Address

How to implement port forwarding

Step 1. Press Win + R to invoke the Run dialog box. Type in “cmd” and press OK. Then type “ipconfig” and press Enter to check the IPv4 Address and Default Gateway.

Default Gateway

Step 2. Enter the device gateway address in the browser address bar, enter the correct user name and password to log in to the router, confirm that port forwarding is enabled, and find and click Add profile.

Enable Port Mapping

Step 3. Fill in the corresponding information to create a new port; you can refer to the following:

  • Service name: fill in whatever you want
  • Protocol: TCP
  • External port: 3389
  • Internal port: 3389
  • Internal IP address: computer IP address, such as 10.1.4.1

    Create a New Port

How to remotely control PC over Internet over RDP

Step 1. Search for Remote Desktop Connection in the Search box. And then open it.

Remote Desktop Connection

Step 2. Enter the public IP address we found above and the user name in the Remote Desktop Connection interface to achieve connection.

General Tab

Note: The Windows 10 built-in program RDP can’t be used freely in all Windows versions. RDP feature isn’t available in Windows 7 Starter Edition/Home Edition, Windows 8/8.1 Home Edition, or Windows 10 Home Edition. If you want to use RDP, you need to upgrade your Windows edition yourself.

Method 3. Free third-party software Chrome Remote Desktop

Chrome Remote Desktop, a browser extension of Google, enables you to remotely control another computer or be controlled by another computer from different operating systems. It is fully trans-platform, supporting iOS, OS X, Chrome OS, Android, Windows, and Linux. Here are the detailed operating steps of Chrome Remote Desktop:

Preparation work:

  • Connect both the client computer (the controller computer) and the host computer (the controlled computer) to the network.
  • Download and install the Chrome browser on both computers in advance, and register and log in to the same Google account.

Part 1. Enable remote control on the host computer

Step 1. On the host computer, open the Chrome Remote Desktop download page. Click Remote Support first and then click the blue download button.

Remote Support Download

Step 2. After automatically jumping to the Chrome web store, click Add to Chrome to download Chrome Remote Desktop.

Add to Chrome

Step 3. Click Add extension to confirm the installation.

Confirm Installation

Step 4. Then turn back to the previous page, and then click Generate Code.

Generate Code

Step 5. Remember the automatically generated code. Note: the code is only valid for 5 minutes.

Share This Screen

Part 2. Start remote control on the client computer

Step 1. On the client computer, find Connect to another computer on the Remote Support page. Input the automatically generated code of the host computer. Then click Connect.

Connect to Another Computer

Step 2. On the host computer, there will be a pop-up window asking whether the host computer allows the control of the client computer. Click Share to establish the connection.

Accept Control

Chrome Remote Desktop is relatively simple in operation and can adapt to different network environments. However, both devices need to be installed with the Chrome browser, making it inconvenient for users of other browsers. In addition, users complain that they always encounter Chrome Remote Desktop offline problems.

Conclusion

Among the 3 easy methods of remote desktop over Internet, Anyviewer is the easiest way to remotely control a PC. RDP requires a tedious configuration process. Chrome Remote Desktop requires users to register an account. By contrast, AnyViewer is not only easy to operate but also has lots of additional practical features. It is the best choice for novice users!

FAQs

How does remote PC control work?

Remote PC control typically involves installing software or using built-in features that establish a connection between the local and remote computers over the internet. This connection enables the transmission of screen images, keyboard and mouse inputs, and other data necessary for remote control.

What are the benefits of remote desktop connection over the Internet?

  • Accessibility: Users can access their computers from anywhere with an Internet connection.
  • Remote assistance: IT professionals can provide technical support and troubleshooting for remote computers without needing to be physically present.
  • Collaboration: Remote desktop connection facilitates collaboration by allowing multiple users to access the same computer or work together on projects in real-time.
  • Flexibility: Users can work remotely, access files, and use applications on their office or home computers from any location.

Can I control a remote PC from a mobile device?

Yes, many remote PC control software applications offer mobile apps that allow users to access and control remote computers from smartphones and tablets.

Can remote desktop over Internet be used for personal or business purposes?

Yes, remote PC control can be used for both personal and business purposes. Individuals can use it to access their home computers while away, while businesses can utilize it for remote IT support, telecommuting, and collaboration among team members.