Chrome Remote Desktop... Teacher's Little Helper


I for sure love the long battery life and accessibility of my Chrome Book. However, sometimes I find the need to access a Windows or Mac based computer to get the job done.  To accomplish this, I have been using  Chrome Remote Desktop to turn my Chrome Book (and even my smart device) into a terminal to access my other machines.  It has also been helpful when the IT team needs to access my computer for some off site help.   Chrome Remote Desktop  is the App you wish you knew about.

 Chrome Remote Desktop is the perfect tool to:

  • Access PC or Mac based grade book programs from ChromeBooks
  • Clock in or out
  • Access files stored on a desktop computer (though why not just save them on drive)
  • Allow students to play their presentations through ITV, computer connected to a projector, or an interactive whiteboard
  • Lock a computer remotely
  • Access other programs only available on Mac or Windows based computers from a Chromebook
  • Allow IT or Tech Coach to remotely access a computer for tech assistance.

Chrome Web Store


Chrome Remote Desktop can be accessed through the Chrome Web Store:

In this tutorial, I will show you how to remotely access any Mac, PC, or Chrome based machine using Chrome Remote Desktop.





But is it a security risk?

It may sound a bit scary, allowing your computer to be remotely accessed, but it is a pretty safe interface.  A user created Pin helps in keeping the control of the machine in your hands and an access code is needed when allowing other users to access your machine during a Remote Assistance session.  An unused access code will expire at the end of the remote session and an unused code will expire after a few minutes.  Not only that, the entire remote session is encrypted over a secure connection, so your data is just as safe as it is on the school's network.

1. Get Chrome Remote Desktop

Step 1

Sign into Google. You need to be logged in to initiate or participate in any screen sharing or remote access sessions.

Step 2

Locate Chrome Remote Desktop in the Chrome Web Store. Click the +Free button to add Chrome Remote Desktop to your computer.

Add Chrome Remote Desktop to Chrome

Step 3

Confirm the Chrome Remote Desktop download and allow it access to your computer.

Confirm that you want to download Chrome Remote Desktop

Step 4

Find Chrome Remote Desktop in the Chrome App Launcher, and click the icon to open the app in Chrome.

Locate Chrome Remote Desktop in the App Launcher

2. Access Your Computers


Add your computers to Chrome Remote Desktop to be able to access them from anywhere. One computer will act as a terminal to access any other computer connected to your Google account. Use your laptop to get at files or even applications on your desktop when you’re away from home.

Step 1

Click Get Started under My Computers.

Step 2

Begin adding your computers by clicking Enable Remote Connections.

Click Enable Remote Connections.

Step 3

Chrome will start downloading the Chrome Remote Desktop Host Installer.

Allow Chrome to download the Installer.


Once the download is complete, open the package installer and follow the instructions on screen.

Allow the installer to add the host to your computer.

Step 4

Create a PIN of at least six digits. The PIN will be required to access your computer from another location.  I like to use grandma's phone number.

Create a secure PIN.

Tip: If your computer sleeps when idle, it will not be available to connect with Chrome Remote Desktop. Make sure your power management settings keep your computer up and awake so you can access it when necessary.

Make sure your computer doesn't go to sleep before you can connect.

Step 5

Repeat the connection process on all computers to which you would like access. Each computer will appear under My Computers in Chrome Remote Desktop as it is added.


Select a computer to access.

Click the X icon to the right of each computer’s name to remove it from Chrome Remote Desktop. Clicking the Pencil icon allows you to rename your computers. Any changes will be reflected within a few seconds in Chrome Remote Desktop on all of your machines.

Step 6

To connect, click the name of the computer you will be accessing. Again, the desktop of the remote computer will appear in the browser tab of the local computer. Click Stop Sharing or Disconnect from either computer to end the session.

Chrome will notify you when the session ends.

Tip: Chromebooks can only access other computers. You can’t use Chrome Remote Desktop to access a Chromebook, but a Chromebook makes a great terminal for a Mac or PC.


3. Remote Assistance

There are two ways to use Chrome Remote Desktop, for user-to-user screen sharing or to access your own computer from another machine.

Use Chrome Remote Desktop to access your own computers or let a friend share your screen.

User-to-user screen sharing allows a friend to access your computer, best used to provide technical support. Remote Assistance briefly connects one user to another’s computer inside a Chrome browser tab. If you need a hand with a computer problem or think you can help out a friend having trouble, Remote Assistance can make it a lot easier.

Step 1

Click Get Started under Remote Assistance.

Step 2

To make your computer available to another user, click Share. If you’re going to control a shared computer, click Access.
Share your computer or access another user's desktop.

Step 3

Chrome Remote Desktop will display an Access Code to the sharing computer. Enter the Access Code on the computer that will control the sharing computer.

Generate a new access code each time you want to share your computer.

Enter your friend's access code to takeover your friend's desktop.

Step 4

Chrome will display a notification to the sharing computer, letting the user know who has access. Click Stop Sharing to end the session.

End the session at any time.

Click Disconnect to end the session. The user on the other end will receive a notification that the computers have been disconnected.



Conclusion

Google Chrome is already a pretty great browser and the Chrome Books are useful machines.  The extensive list of extensions and apps available as add-ons just make it better. Chrome Remote Desktop may be one of the best, giving users remote access just about everywhere to other computers running Chrome. Anyone can set up easy-to-use screen sharing and get help with technical problems from friends.  For educational use, Chrome Remote Desktop has many advantages.  I urge teachers to use and check it out.

If you run into problems or have questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.




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