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October 8, 2011

Chrome Remote Desktop

Chrome Remote Desktop is a new Chrome extension that lets you remotely control a computer from your browser. It's the first software that uses a technology code-named "chromoting" and it's especially useful if you have a Chromebook.
The goal of this beta release is to demonstrate the core Chrome Remoting technology and get feedback from users. This version enables users to share with or get access to another computer by providing a one-time authentication code. Access is given only to the specific person the user identifies for one time only, and the sharing session is fully secured.

One potential use of this version is the remote IT helpdesk case. The helpdesk can use the Chrome Remote Desktop BETA to help another user, while conversely a user can receive help by setting up a sharing session without leaving their desk. Additional use cases such as being able to access your own computer remotely are coming soon.

Chrome Remote Desktop BETA is fully cross-platform, so you can connect any two computers that have a Chrome browser, including Windows, Linux, Mac and Chromebooks.

I've installed the extension on a Dell laptop that runs Windows 7 and on a Samsung Chromebook. The extension has more than 17 MB, so you have to wait a little bit until it's downloaded and installed. After installing the extension on my Dell laptop, I clicked the new icon from the new tab page and Chrome Remote Desktop asked me to "grant extended access permissions" to my computer.


Chrome Remote Desktop is a special extension because it can be used to control your computer. It's interesting that the extension uses Google Talk's technology to send messages.



When you decide to share your computer, Remote Desktop generates a code you need to enter on a second computer.


Here's what happens after installing the extension on my Chromebook:



The performance is pretty good, but it depends on your Internet connection and the computers you're using. The extension is especially useful for businesses and it will make Chromebooks even more attractive for companies.

{ Thanks, Venkat. }

34 comments:

  1. Nice size of extention, but its very useful

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  2. amazing,but i dont have a chromebook

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  3. awesome, works like a charm though slows down sometimes.

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  4. Doesn´t work with @googlemail.com accounts

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  5. lennonli, you can still make use of it. All you need is Chrome, not a Chromebook. Install Chrome on a couple Windows, Mac, or Linux computers and you can try it out.

    It is very nice! I envision a lot of excellent things coming out of this test.

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  6. @Danny
    http://www.googlewatchblog.de/2011/10/chrome-remote-mit-googlemail-com-adresse-nutzen/

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  7. Gbridge is also using gtalk for auth but it is limited to windows OS. I wonder how they compare in performance.

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  8. Yah, it sounds nice, but it's @Dr.a said it's limited to Windows OS? That doesn't make sense, google would START from Linux I would think. For windows there's 'go to my PC' - and windows HAS desktop sharing built in, Speaking of which, VNC and REAL VNC do pretty much the same thing for WIN, lIN & MAC, so this sounds more of a proof of concept of remote desktop sharing through a browser which is also quite similar to Citrix, if you wanna count virtual desktops.

    I want to see one that deploys WITHOUT the user knowing ANYTHING ABOUT IT. Now THERE would be an interesting and controversial piece of software. hehehe....

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    Replies
    1. now it's capable of linking chrome or chrome-book to Windows, Mac and Linux.

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    2. Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux all have native remote desktop features, and that's great. The most "standard" is VNC, but VNC isn't native on Windows. The main problem, though, is that they require a static IP (or at least properly functioning DNS), and the IP has to be public. This is how the internet was designed to work, but realistically right now we have lots of NATted private dynamic IPs on PPPoE, etc. behind firewalls.

      Chromote requires login with google, but it allows you to control any internet connected computer from any other.

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  9. Google is raising the bar, this is very neat little app. thanks.

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  10. I'll try this later, to connect from my cheap Windows 7 laptop to my high-spec Windows 7 PC at home.

    Of course, various solutions are already available that perform a similar function.

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  11. Hmmm, I have a question about this. I tried Chrome Remote Desktop and loved it, it's really smooth and nice and all. However, I would like to use it to access my home and work computer when I am at home or at work. The home computer doesn't matter much, but the one at work HAS to be LOCKED when I am not at it. I can connect to it from home when it is locked but... can't do anything. How to unlock it? How to send CTRL+ALT+DEL to the machine?

    The screen of a locked computer actually shows the window that was on the screen before LOCK was applied, but you cannot do anything with it (nothing on screen is clickable for the remote user).

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    1. Same problem here.
      Cannot unlock the Windows after the windows is locked.
      The Function "Send CTRL+ALT+DEL" is not able to use if the remote PC is locked.

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    2. just expeirenced the same CTRL+ALT+DEL problem here, going from Mac to PC.

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    3. Had the exact same problem....'send ctrl-alt-del' function is not working at all....pressing it and it did not do anything..

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    4. Same here, the free version of LogMeIn works but I pressing the Contol Alt Delete button doesn't seem to work. Stuck at the Windows log in screen, using XP at work and Vista at home.

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    5. Today is the first time I got this ctrl-alt-del problem. I was able to use it for several weeks.

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    6. Also have the same problem

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    7. I've just recently started getting the Ctrl-Alt-Del problem as well.

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    8. I have the same issue but seems to be on XP only.. if I remote connect to a windows 8, I can send that key ctr-alt-del over... and at work here they still use XP!!

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    9. I have the same problem too but it seems only if I connected to an XP machine... I tried on win8 and it worked.

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    10. Ctrl + alt + del from a Mac to PC not working for me.

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  12. Replies
    1. with all cloud available options I don't see this as a must for now.

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    2. Google docs, dropobox...

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  13. I really like this extension, using it almost daily. Chrome rulez.

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  14. This is an amazing extension. So handy to be able to do this

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  15. This extension is great!
    However I have a problem ... it seems it does not work to companies that blocks peer to peer. and yet I use teamviewer passing through the blocking of my business so there is probably a solution for chrome remote desktop. I hope that the final solution will do what is teamviewer. We have a license teamviewer but you can use two if you have to pay toujoujours more ...

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  16. Its a good product but I think it can be used to breach the privacy of someone. and even spying..

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  17. Having same issue with CTRL-ALT-DEL.

    Windows 7 x64 Pro to same.

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  18. Me too. CTRL-ALT-DEL doesn't work.

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  19. Fantastic work guys im a fan of your website.mk802 iii review

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