Chrome Remote Desktop (CRD)

UPDATE:

Google killed Chrome Apps since end of 2018. This guide is no longer valid since you can't use Chrome Apps anymore. Don't waste your time reading it. Forget about it.

Sometimes, you'll need to ask for help and your expert friend will need to remote into your computer. At the moment, there are technologies like Windows Remote Connections, Teamviewer, and TigerVNC. These solutions aren't unified across operating systems. Some are cumbersome to install; some are proprietary and operating system specific; some of them has commercial use limitation (you need to buy its license); and some are hard to guide.

Google Chrome Remote Desktop

Fear no more, Google introduced Chrome Remote Desktop as an universal alternatives. It uses open-source VNC plugin so it removes all the issues above. It's easy to guide and easy to use. Let's begin.

2. Install the Chrome Remote Desktop Host

Now CRD needs its host installer in the local system. The download is available at:

• Windows - https://dl.google.com/dl/edgedl/chrome-remote-desktop/chromeremotedesktophost.msi
• Mac - https://dl.google.com/dl/chrome-remote-desktop/chromeremotedesktophost-47.0.2526.18.dmg
• Linux (DEB) - https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb
• Linux (RPM) - Not from official Google mirror. Alternative - https://www.rpmfind.net/linux/rpm2html/search.php?query=chrome-remote-desktop

Important Note

Keep in mind for security purposes, you'll still need to be in front of the computer.

In every 15 minutes, Chome Remote Desktop will prompt a "to continue" challenge only to you. If you do not respond to the challenge in-time, the connection will be terminated automatically.

This is for security reason where it prevents long remote session and creating a security loophole.

That's all about it.