How to Remotely Control a PC without Installing Software [4 Ways]

Is there a way to remotely control a computer without installing software?

Remote computer access makes it possible for us to control another computer over a long distance. With remote access, we can easily control another PC for data transferring, technical support, file managing, etc., which brings convenience to our work.

Normally, we need to install third-party remote desktop software to make this happen. However, do you ever have the question in your mind that is there a way to remotely control a computer without installing software? If you do, you’ve come to the right place. Next, we’ll introduce 4 options on how to remotely control a pc without installing software.

4 ways how to remotely control a PC without installing software

The four ways to remotely control a PC without installing software are to use the Windows built-in Remote Desktop Connection, Remote Assistance, Quick Assist, and Google extension Chrome Remote Desktop. Let’s take a look at them one by one.

Way 1. Remote Desktop Connection [Windows built-in remote desktop tool]

You don’t need to install anything using the Windows built-in Remote Desktop Connection to remotely control another computer. But please note the following two things before using Remote Desktop Connection:

Part 1. Configure Remote Desktop connection on the host computer

1. Enable Remote Desktop in Settings

Navigate to: Settings > System> Remote Desktop > Turn on the Enable Remote Desktop switch, and then click the Confirm button.

2. Allow remote connections to this computer in Control Panel

Step 1. Select Control Panel > System and Security> System, under the “System” section, click Remote Settings.

Step 2. Select the box next to "Allow remote connections to this computer" and then click OK.

3. Change Windows Firewall settings

Step 1. On the host computer, select: Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall.

Step 2. Click “Allow an App or Feature Through Windows Defender Firewall” on the left navigation.

Step 3. Check “Remote Desktop” and hit OK.

4. Get the IP address and computer name

Step 1. Press Win + R on the host computer to open the Run dialog box. Enter "cmd" and then hit OK.

Step 2. To get the IP address for Remote Dekstop, enter the command "ipconfig" and note the IPv4 Address.

Step 3. To get the PC name for Remote Desktop, type in “query user”, and you can see your PC name.

Part 2. Connect to the host computer from the client computer via RDP

After you have done everything above, follow the next steps to connect to another computer.

Step 1. On the client computer, press Win + R, and type “mstsc” in the Run Dialog box to open the Remote Desktop Connection.

Step 2. Click Show Options, type in the IP address and name of the host computer, and then click Connect.

Step 3. Input the password of the client computer in the pop-up window, and press OK.

Once you complete the steps above, you can successfully use the Remote Desktop Connection in the local network to connect to other computers.

Way 2. Remote Assistance [Windows built-in remote assist tool]

Remote Assistance is also a Windows built-in remote access tool. Technically, as its name indicated, it intends to provide technical support from a distance. It connects two computers so that one person can help troubleshoot or fix problems on the other person’s computer. You can invite someone you trust to help you or help someone who has invited you.

As Remote Assistance is a remote support tool, both users need to sit in front of their computers in order to make this tool work. Therefore, it is impossible to offer remote assistance without permission.

Part 1. Enable Remote Assistance on the computer receiving remote connections

Step 1. Right-click on This PC and then select Properties.

Step 2. Locate Remote settings on the left pane.

Step 3. Switch to the Remote tab, and then tick the option “Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer”

Part 2. Start to invite others to help you

Step 1. Press Win + R and then type in “msra” in the box, hit OK to open Remote Assistance.

Step 2. Choose “Invite someone you trust to help you” on the host PC and click “Save this invitation as a file”.

Step 3. Save this file on the desktop and a pop-up window that contains a password will appear. Send the file and password to the client PC.

Step 4. On the client PC, choose “help someone who has invited you”, and then double-click on the file, enter the password and click OK.

Step 5. Then a pop-up request will display on the host computer, click on “Yes”. Then the screens on both sides are the same.

Step 6. On the client PC, click on “Request control” and then a window will be popped up on the host computer.

Step 7. Click on Yes on the host PC, and then you can give assistance.

Way 3. Quick Assist [Windows built-in remote assist tool]

As Remote Assistance, Quick Assist is also a remote support tool developed by Microsoft and built-in Windows. The difference is that Quick Assist is only included in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Step 1. In the PC that is used to offer support, type Quick Assist in the search box and run it.

Step 2. Click Assist another person under Give assistance.

Step 3. Now, you need to sign in to your Microsoft account.

Step 4. After successful login, you can see your security code. Please send it to the PC that needs help.

Step 5. In the computer that needs to be assisted, run Quick Assist, input the security code from the assistant under Code from assistance and click Share screen.

Step 6. In the helper end, two options: Take full control and View screen pop up. Choose Take full control to offer remote assistance and click Continue.

Step 7. the receiver will get a message saying that someone will be able to see the files and control the computer. Make sure that the one is trusted and click Allow.

Finally, the assistant can connect to the receiver's computer successfully. And the assistant can settle the PC's issues from far away.

Way 4. Chrome Remote Desktop [Google Chrome extension]

The final way how to remotely control a PC without installing software is to use the Google extension Chrome Remote Desktop. If you have Google Chrome installed, you can add Chrome Remote Desktop on it as an extension. Let’s see how to achieve Chrome Remote Desktop permanent access.

Step 1. On both computers, sign in to the same Google Account if you are not logged in. Then, open the Chrome Remote Desktop web page.

Step 2. Click Remote Access first and then click the blue download button.

Step 3. Click on Add to Chrome to add the Chrome Remote Desktop in your Chrome browser.

Step 4. Click Add extension to confirm the download.

Step 5. Click Accept & Install.

Step 6. Enter a name for your computer and then click Next.

Step 7. Choose a PIN with at least 6 numbers, and then enter it twice to start the program.

Step 8. After both computers have successfully created their PINs, you can see the available computers here on the client computer. Click the computer you want to connect to.

Step 9. Enter the PIN of the host computer, then click the blue arrow. Then you can start to control it.

Bonus tip: Free & easy remote desktop software for Windows - AnyViewer

Some people prefer ways to remotely control a PC without installing software because they think it is more time- and energy-saving. But look at the ways above, you’ll find some of them actually have very complicated configuration processes.

Some third-party remote desktop software may be more user-friendly than those that do not require installation, for example, AnyViewer. It is the free remote desktop software for Windows which offers secure remote access and remote support from anywhere. What makes AnyViewerthe best program to remotely control another computer?

It supports PC-to-PC, iOS-to-PC, Android-to-PC remote control.

It supports unattended remote access, allowing you to connect to another PC without permission.

It supports multiple simultaneous sessions.

It supports image quality and resolution adjustment during the remote session.

It supports multiple monitors switch.

It supports text chat in session.

It supports large file transfers.

Let’s see how to remotely access another computer without permission via AnyViewer.

Step 1. Install and run AnyViewer on both of your computers. Navigate to Log in and then Sign up on the Controller computer (if you have already registered on the official website, you can log in directly).

Step 2. Fill out the sign-up form.

Step 3. You should now see that you have successfully logged into AnyViewer. Your device will be assigned to the account to which you have logged in automatically.

Step 4. Log in to the same AnyViewer account on the two devices, then you can click One-click control to achieve a direct connection, click View the screen to see another’s screen, or click File transfer to share files between computers.

Notes:✎...

You can also upgrade your account to a Professional or Enterprise plan to enjoy more rights:

Faster file transfer speed. 

More assigned devices.

Connect in privacy mode to protect privacy.

Initial more concurrent connections to one computer.

Closing words

This post primarily introduces four options for how to remotely control a PC without installing software. Besides, we also recommend a free remote desktop tool, AnyViewer, which offers a much easier way to remotely control a PC.