Setting Up Windows Remote Desktop Connection: A Guide on How to use it
- 1
Getting started
- To get started, signup for Zoho Assist with your email address, or if you're already a Zoho user, click on Access Zoho Assist to get started.
- For first time users, we offer a 15-day trial with all our enterprise features.
- After 15 days, Zoho Assist remains free for personal use.
- 2
Initiating a remote support session
- You can initiate an instant on-demand remote support session, click Start Now, or click Schedule to conduct a session at another time.
- After you have initiated a remote support session, there are three ways you can invite a person at the remote end.
- You can send an SMS or email invitation, ask the customer to navigate to join.zoho.com to join the session, or you can send them the join link through the chat messenger of your choice.
- 3
Connecting remote desktop
- Upon receiving the invite, your customer can join the session through one of the methods mentioned in Step 2.
- Install the lightweight agent to give you complete access to the remote desktop.
Remote Desktop Connection Made Easy Across Multiple Platforms and Devices
Setting up a remote desktop connection can be challenging due to the various machines and operating systems in use. The user interface and multi-platform compatibility are significant factors in selecting a remote desktop app. With Zoho Assist - remote desktop assistant, these requirements are covered, allowing you to connect to remote devices, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Ubuntu, Android, and iOS.
Windows Remote Desktop Connection Features in Zoho Assist
On-demand remote support
With Zoho Assist's on-demand Windows remote desktop connection, you can easily access and share your screen with remote customers without prior installation on their end. This reduces the time required to connect to Windows remote desktops, making the process faster and more efficient.
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Unattended remote access
Configure large groups of devices for unattended remote access connections at once using our unique mass deployment concept, which helps large corporations manage their remote assets efficiently. Install a lightweight unattended access agent on the remote machine and diagnose your Windows remote computers using native diagnostic operations quickly.
Learn MoreCustomize your Windows Remote Desktop Connection to match your brand
For businesses of all sizes, it's important to setup a remote desktop connection software that reflects your brand's values and priorities. With our custom branding solutions, you can fully rebrand your Windows remote desktop software and create an authentic look and feel that seamlessly integrates with your organization. This enables you to connect to a remote desktop and manage your remote access machines under your brand name. Our users can customize their emails and portal URL to align with their brand, establishing a sense of trust and credibility with their customers.
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Effortlessly Integrate Help Desk Solutions with Zoho Assist
When it comes to customer support, managing Windows remote desktop software with integrated help desk solutions is crucial. Zoho Assist offers seamless integration with the top help desk software providers, including Servicenow, Zendesk, Jira, and Zoho Desk. In addition, we provide customized solutions such as APIs and a mobile software development kit to enhance and optimize your remote desktop connection service.
Learn MoreEstablish Secure Remote Desktop Connection
Zoho Assist's cloud-based Windows remote desktop connection software allows smooth access to connected devices across major proxies and firewalls. It's a must-have tool for IT teams that manage remote access from different locations. Our end-to-end SSL and 256-bit AES encryption guarantee data security and user privacy for every connection made over Assist. Keep track of all remote support activities in your organization with our Action Log Viewer, and easily identify any issues. For added security, we also provide two-factor authentication with one-time password verification.
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How to use remote desktop connection: Common use cases
Remote desktop connections support a wide range of work and support needs. With Zoho Assist, they are secure, simple, and work without complex setups for both businesses and individuals.
Employees can securely access their office computers from home or on the go.
- Opening files and applications exactly as if they were physically at their desk
- Working from any device, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones
- Maintaining continuity without VPN complexity
IT teams use Remote desktop connection to quickly:
- Diagnose and fix issues on end-user machines
- Install software or apply updates remotely
- Provide real-time guidance without needing to be onsite
Users who travel or work remotely can:
- Retrieve documents stored on their home PC
- Continue tasks that require heavy computing power
- Securely access their personal system from another device
System administrators rely on Remote Desktop connection to:
- Monitor and maintain servers
- Configure network resources
- Perform routine checks without physically visiting the server room
Remote Desktop connection helps teams:
- Share desktop views during training or presentations
- Work together on shared resources
- Demonstrate workflows live with real-time interactive control
Instead of transferring sensitive files, users can:
- Work directly on secure machines
- Minimize data duplication and risk of data exposure or security breaches
- Ensure company policies and compliance are maintained
With tools like Zoho Assist, Remote Desktop connection works across:
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
- Android and iOS devices
- Chrome OS
- Raspberry Pi
Access Your Remote Assets Anytime, Anywhere!
With the Zoho Assist mobile app, you can establish and manage remote desktop connections on the go, directly from your mobile device. Stay connected with your remote assets and provide support to your customers no matter where you are. Install the app now and experience the freedom of remote support.
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Supported Windows & Windows Server operating systems for remote desktop access
Windows OS
- Windows 7
- Windows 8
- Windows 8.1
- Windows 10
- Windows 11
Windows Server OS
- Windows Server 2008 R2
- Windows Server 2012
- Windows Server 2012 R2
- Windows Server 2016
- Windows Server 2019
- Windows Server 2022
- Windows Server 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
A remote desktop connection is a technology that allows you to remotely access connected devices, like computers, laptops, or mobile devices from a remote location over a network. This can be helpful in situations where you need to access your files or applications from another location.
With Zoho Assist, connecting to a Windows computer is simple and doesn’t need complicated setup or network changes.
- Open your browser, go to Zoho Assist, and sign in with your account (your current machine)
- From your dashboard, click Start Session or Share Screen.
- A session key or link will be generated.
- Share this session key or link with the person at the remote (agent) machine.
- The person on the remote machine enters the session key on https://assist.zoho.com or clicks the session link you shared.
- The user downloads and runs a small executable file when prompted.
- Once they approve the connection, you can view and control their screen remotely.
Zoho Assist has simplified the file transfer process by allowing you to select files from either the local or remote computer and click "Send" or "Receive" to transfer files. The file transfer process won't interrupt the desktop sharing during remote access.
Yes, you can remotely access your connected machines using Zoho Assist's Unattended Remote Access feature. This feature allows you to connect to your workstation even if no one is currently using it.
Yes. You can securely access and control Windows 10 and Windows 11 computers from anywhere. It’s easy to set up and works even if no one is present at the remote computer, allowing you to manage your Windows systems anytime.
Yes, Zoho Assist offers free remote desktop connection software for basic remote support, which is recommended for personal use.
To troubleshoot and resolve Remote Desktop Connection issues, follow these steps:
- Ensure a stable network connection.
- Enable Remote Desktop on the remote computer.
- Configure firewalls and port forwarding.
- Verify RDP protocol compatibility.
- Check for Network-Level Authentication.
- Use the correct username and password.
- Confirm user permissions and service status.
- Use an updated Remote Desktop client.
- Check event logs for troubleshooting errors.
- Update the OS and drivers.