To use Microsoft Remote Desktop on your Mac, you first need to download the Microsoft Remote Desktop app from the Mac App Store, then add the remote PC’s details such as its IP address or computer name, your username and password, and configure display or device preferences. Once set up, you can simply click on the saved connection to access and control your Windows PC directly from your Mac, making it easy to work across both operating systems seamlessly.
But why do you need Microsoft Remote Desktop for Mac?
Both Mac and Microsoft run completely different codes. They have completely different file systems. There is a reason to check if a hard drive is compatible with use on both Microsoft and Mac systems! For most of computing history, it was not possible to remote control a Mac from Windows or vice versa. But now, you can also find a free RDP client for Mac. Now let’s go through the steps to allow you to remote control your computer.
Allow remote connections
For these steps, we will assume that you have Windows 10 Pro. Any version of Windows lower than Pro does not support RDP. In that case, you need to use a third-party client to remote control your desktop. Go to Settings by pressing the Windows key + I. In Settings, navigate to System. Check the “About” section. If you have Windows Pro here, you can use RDP. Otherwise, you’ll need to upgrade or use other third-party desktop control software.
From the same System section of the Settings menu, find Remote Desktop. Toggle the option to enable it until it turns blue. Congratulations, your system is set up to allow remote connections!
Even better, you can control your desktop with almost any device. Remote Desktop allows not only Mac but also Android and iOS. Note, this might be a good opportunity to rename the computer. If you want the desktop to be easier to find in the future, give it an easily identifiable name. If you have more than one computer, consider using a scheme so you can tell them apart from each other.
Download Microsoft Remote Desktop to your Apple computer
Navigate to the Mac App Store. You can find Microsoft Remote Desktop for Mac download here. When you download the Microsoft Remote Desktop on Mac app, avoid Microsoft Remote Desktop on Mac (older versions) due to vulnerabilities in older software. Additionally, you may risk incompatibility with newer versions. In this next step, you will access an RD Gateway, which means the specific computer you want to access.
Once you download the app, go to the app preferences. Select the option to add a remote resource. It may also say Remote Desktop Connection. From here, use the preferences whenever you want to manage gateways or create new ones. Under Gateway Options, select Connection Center. Use the “+” button to create a new gateway. In the window that pops up, you will provide the PC name (your Microsoft PC) as the server name. You must include the domain name and IP address. Port information is important to add here.
Now it’s time to connect your Windows PC. When prompted, enter your username and password. Ensure that this username and password are correct.
You need to get confirmation of authorization to make this particular connection. At this point, you should click on the PC name as it is displayed by the link. Select Show certificate, then note it down so you can be sure the PC connection is trusted. This final step is entirely optional, but it will save you time. If you plan to connect to your Windows PC regularly, you can verify that everything checks out with the connection.
Add extra properties
Microsoft Remote Desktop not only allows you to connect to a remote PC. There are tools for business that allow you to do almost everything you need with a corporate network while abroad. You can create workspaces, access your internal resources with an RD gateway, and even set screen resolutions and user accounts for your sessions.
Alternative to Apple Remote Desktop
In some cases, you can’t use Microsoft Remote Desktop on Mac. It’s important to note that upgraded versions of Windows offer much more features than just remote control. You can get access to industrial-grade encryption with BitLocker, for example.
However, if you don’t intend to use Microsoft Remote Desktop, there are third-party apps like TeamViewer. Note that there are significant limitations to what you can do in Team Viewer. Connections can be slow, and you won’t have the same integration with user accounts and corporate resources. Also, your permissions in Team Viewer are limited. If you need to diagnose and troubleshoot computers from abroad, there will be limits because you can only interact with what’s going on on the screen. Most importantly, third-party services require the other end to provide you with a username and password. This username and password will change regularly. Microsoft Remote Desktop, on the other hand, allows you to access it anytime no matter what.
Time for a DPS upgrade
The possibilities are endless when you have Microsoft Remote Desktop on your Mac. It allows you to conduct business abroad with the highest security standards. You can carry on with your affairs as if you never left the office. It’s time to upgrade your RDP experience. Find an RDP provider in your location and get the most out of Microsoft Remote Desktop for Mac!
