Today's engineering has come a long mode in closing the divide betwixt Windows and Mac applications, especially in the enterprise. However, a gap nevertheless exists for some and requires a bridge to move between calculating environments.

Run across: How to work from home: It pro's guidebook to telecommuting and remote work (TechRepublic Premium)

For Mac users, the stalwart tool has been the Microsoft Remote Desktop connection. Available now through the Mac App store, it allows users to remotely connect to a Windows desktop to access local files, applications, and network resources.

Note: If you want to access Microsoft Remote Desktop on a newer Mac running macOS Sierra, check out this article instead.

In order to get started with Microsoft Remote Desktop, you must brainstorm by downloading it from the Mac App Store. Click the blueish "App Store" icon in your dock. Or, y'all tin can download it from our sister site Download.com here.

Once y'all've accessed the Mac App Store, utilise the search bar at the acme correct of the screen to search for "Microsoft Remote Desktop." The outset search result should be what yous're looking for. To begin the download, click the blue "Get" button. This app is gratis, and so no cost will exist listed.

Next, open up the application past clicking through the grey "Launchpad" icon and clicking on the Remote Desktop app icon. Or, you can use the searchlight feature by clicking the looking drinking glass at the summit right of your dwelling house screen, or by using the shortcut Command + Space Bar, and searching for "Microsoft Remote Desktop." Opening the app should await similar this:

If you recollect y'all'll exist frequently using this remote desktop connection, now would be a skilful fourth dimension to ready it in your dock. Right click (control + click) on the icon, mouse over "Options," and click "Go along in Dock." This will keep you from having to wait for the icon every time you lot need to apply it.

At this point you'll demand to enable remote access on your target PC. For a Windows 8 machine, the fastest fashion to get this done is to search for "Allow remote access to your reckoner" and click on that when information technology comes up. Yous may need an ambassador password to complete this pace. Under the "Arrangement Backdrop" box you should see "Remote Desktop" and the push labeled "Allow remote connections to this computer" should exist selected.

Next, you'll demand to select the users who will exist able to exist accessed through the remote desktop connection. Now, search for "System" and click it when it appears. Turn off hibernation and sleep settings for the target PC, as you won't be able to access it remotely if information technology falls asleep.

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While all the same in "Arrangement," information technology's a proficient time to become ahead and go your total PC name if you don't already have it, as you lot'll need it to set up the connection. Click on "Figurer name, domain, and workgroup settings" to find the full PC proper name and write it downward. Enabling a Windows 7 computer is a trivial different, but you lot tin find out how to practice that here.

Caput back to your Mac and click the "New" push at the peak left of the Microsoft Remote Desktop screen. You'll exist prompted to fill in quite a few fields.

The first thing you'll demand to input is the connection name. This is only what y'all want to call the connection and it has no existent bearing on the connectedness itself. For case, you lot could phone call it "John's work computer," or "Jennifer'south PC."

Adjacent, you'll need to input the PC name (the one you wrote downwards from before), or the IP address and then your Mac knows where to notice your PC. The next line down allows you to configure a Gateway, which would let you lot connect to virtual desktops or session-based desktops that are on your visitor's network. Check with your network administrator to see if there is a gateway you are to employ.

Credentials is where yous will type in the domain, username, and password for the target PC so you can log in through the remote connexion. Resolution, colors, and full screen style are all personal preferences for how you want the remote desktop to launch on your machine. If you're not sure, start with the standard settings and get from in that location.

If you want to configure peripheral devices for your remote desktop, you can detect options for that under the middle tab, "Session."

The first choice is a drib-downward bill of fare for sound. You tin disable sound, take it play on the remote PC, or have it play on your Mac. If you want to connect to an administrator session on a Windows server, click the box adjacent to "Connect to admin session."

The next pick to "Forward printing devices" volition make your local printers available during your remote desktop session. "Swap mouse buttons" will allow y'all to use left click commands with a correct-click Mac mouse.

The last tab at the top of the window is "Redirection." This is where you would choose a local folder y'all wanted to be bachelor during your remote session. Click the "+" push button, choose a name for the folder, and input the folder's path to accept it available.

When you are finished configuring your remote desktop, click the red close button at the top left of the dialog box and your new remote desktop volition be added. To start a session with that desktop, but double-click it to begin.

If you want to edit, duplicate, consign, or delete that remote connection, right-click (command + click) on the desktop name to access those options.

If you don't think Microsoft Remote Desktop is the pick for you, here are some other options available at Download.com:

  • Parallels Desktop for Mac
  • Remote Desktop Manager

What practise you think?

Is there a better style to admission your Windows applications? Tell us in the comments.