May 06, 2018 From your Windows PC, access the Microsoft Remote Desktop assistant to configure it for remote access from another device using the Remote Desktop apps for Windows, macOS, iOS or Android. Email myself a link to the Microsoft Remote Desktop Assistant.
- Use Microsoft Remote Desktop for Android to connect to a remote PC or virtual apps and desktops made available by your admin. With Microsoft Remote Desktop, you can be productive no matter where.
- If your remote desktop or apps are managed by your organization, your admin can enable or disable redirections through Group Policy settings or RDP properties. Input redirection. Redirection Windows Inbox (MSTSC) Windows Desktop (MSRDC) Microsoft Store client (URDC) Android iOS macOS Web client; Keyboard: X: X: X: X: X: X: X.
Applies to: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2
We're often asked how the different Remote Desktop clients compare to each other. Do they all do the same thing? Here are the answers to those questions.
Redirection support
The following tables compare support for device and other redirections across the different clients. These tables cover the redirections that you can access once in a remote session.
If you remote into your personal desktop, there are additional redirections that you can configure in the Additional Settings for the session. If your remote desktop or apps are managed by your organization, your admin can enable or disable redirections through Group Policy settings or RDP properties.
Input redirection
| Redirection | Windows Inbox (MSTSC) | Windows Desktop (MSRDC) | Microsoft Store client (URDC) | Android | iOS | macOS | Web client |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keyboard | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Mouse | X | X | X | X | X* | X | X |
| Touch | X | X | X | X | X | X (except IE) | |
| Pen | X | X | X (as touch) | X (as touch) |
*View the list of supported input devices for the Remote Desktop iOS client.
Port redirection
Mstsc App Download
| Redirection | Windows Inbox (MSTSC) | Windows Desktop (MSRDC) | Microsoft Store client (URDC) | Android | iOS | macOS | Web client |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serial port | X | X | |||||
| USB | X | X |
Rdcman Sysinternals
When you enable USB port redirection, any USB devices attached to the USB port are automatically recognized in the remote session.
Other redirection (devices, etc.)
| Redirection | Windows Inbox (MSTSC) | Windows Desktop (MSRDC) | Microsoft Store client (URDC) | Android | iOS | macOS | Web client |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameras | X | X | X | X | |||
| Clipboard | X | X | X | Text | Text, images | X | text |
| Local drive/storage | X | X | X | X | X | ||
| Location | X | X | |||||
| Microphones | X | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Printers | X | X | X (CUPS only) | PDF print | |||
| Scanners | X | X | |||||
| Smart Cards | X | X | X (Windows logon not supported) | ||||
| Speakers | X | X | X | X | X | X | X (except IE) |
*For printer redirection - the macOS app supports the Publisher Imagesetter printer driver by default. They do not support redirecting native printer drivers.
Other resources
If you're looking for feature comparisons, check out Compare the clients: features.
Use Remote Desktop on your Windows, Android, or iOS device to connect to a Windows 10 PC from afar.
Set up the PC you want to connect to so it allows remote connections:
Make sure you have Windows 10 Pro. To check, go to Start > Settings > System > About and look for Edition. For info on how to get it, go to Upgrade Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro.
When you're ready, select Start > Settings > System > Remote Desktop, and turn on Enable Remote Desktop.
Make note of the name of this PC under How to connect to this PC. You'll need this later.
Use Remote Desktop to connect to the PC you set up:
On your local Windows 10 PC: In the search box on the taskbar, type Remote Desktop Connection, and then select Remote Desktop Connection. In Remote Desktop Connection, type the name of the PC you want to connect to (from Step 1), and then select Connect.
On your Windows, Android, or iOS device: Open the Remote Desktop app (available for free from Microsoft Store, Google Play, and the Mac App Store), and add the name of the PC that you want to connect to (from Step 1). Select the remote PC name that you added, and then wait for the connection to complete.