Windows Remote Desktop isn’t always the most reliable method to access machines remotely. People often use other modes to remotely access them as well, and Chrome Remote Desktop is one of those famous modes.
However, when connecting to remote devices using Chrome Remote Desktop, you not only require an identification code, but also a Personal Identification Number [PIN] code. This PIN code is used to authenticate that you are authorized to access that device.
A PIN code is essential so that no unauthorized personnel can connect to a device and make any unauthorized changes or hack it. The person on the remote device needs to inform you of that PIN code for you to be able to connect to it. However, if you have a device that is only on a local network, or one that does not require that level of security, you can remove the PIN and connect to it directly.
This article discusses 2 ways you can disable the PIN authentication step while connecting to a remote computer using Chrome Remote Desktop.
Disable PIN Authentication In Google Chrome Remote Desktop
Disable PIN authentication in Chrome Remote Desktop using Group Policy
By default, Windows 10 Group Policy does not include any policies to manage Google Chrome. However, you can add Google Chrome Policy Template to Windows 10 to configure Chrome accordingly. Once done, you can use it to disable PIN authentication for Chrome Remote Desktop.
Launch the Group Policy Editor by typing in gpedit.msc in Run and then navigate to the following location using the left pane:
Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Classic Administrative Templates -> Google -> Google Chrome -> Remote accessOn the right, double-click “Enable or disable PIN-less authentication for remote access hosts.”
In the pop-up window, select the Enabled radio button and then click Apply and Ok to allow users to authenticate a remote session without having to enter a PIN code.
Now all that is left to do is enforce the changes by typing in gpupdate /force in the Command Prompt.
Now you can connect to this PC remotely with just its access code without having to enter a PIN code.
if you feel like re-enabling the PIN requirement for Chrome Remote Desktop, all you need to do is return the same policy within the Group Policy Editor and this time select the Disabled radio button.
Disable PIN authentication in Chrome Remote Desktop using Registry Editor
You can also disable PIN authentication using just the Registry Editor. This method can be adopted if you are running Windows 10 Home, as it does not come with Group Policy Editor, or if you do not want to add the Google Chrome Policy Template to your OS.
However, we should warn you that any wrong manipulation of the system registries could be fatal for your operating system. Therefore we recommend that you create a system restore point before proceeding forward.
Launch the Registry Editor by typing in regedit in Run and then paste the following link in the address bar for quick navigation:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PoliciesRight-click Policies, expand New, then click Key from the context menu. Name this new Key as Google. Now right-click Google and create a new Key named Chrome. Once done, right-click Chrome, expand new, and now click DWORD [32-bit] Value. Name this DWORD as “RemoteAccessHostAllowClientPairing.”
Now double-click the new DWORD just created and set its Value Data to 1 and click Ok.
Once done, reboot the computer for the changes to take effect.
You can now connect to this PC using Chrome Remote Desktop without having to enter a PIN code. However, if you feel like implementing the PIN code again in the future, simply delete the DWORD or the keys created using the Registry Editor and restart the device.
Closing words
Although having a PIN-less authentication mechanism may be faster and convenient, it may not always be the best choice. Therefore, we suggest that you only remove the PIN requirement for Chrome Remote Desktop where the device is not connected to the internet, it does not have any sensitive information, and it is not connected to a network of other devices. Otherwise, unauthorized access to one device can result in infiltration of an entire network, or you could lose sensitive and personal information.
Also see:
Remote work is the future of work – take advantage of Chrome Remote Desktop to connect your PC from anywhere over the Internet.
Let’s explore the tool that is safe for organizations when it comes to sharing desktops, information, and resources.
What is Chrome Remote Desktop?
Many organizations and startups have provided the facility to their employee to work remotely. With the trends, Google has provided an easy and quick tool to access the system from anywhere. Only two things are required to have your remote system on your own PC, and that is the Internet and Chrome Desktop.
It facilitates you to access your files and data remotely from another device. It works for all sorts of desktop or mobile and with all kinds of Operating Systems – Windows, Linux, macOS, or Chrome OS.
Bottom line – you can access your computer from anywhere in the world where the Internet is.
Chrome Remote Desktop would be a good choice for personal use. However, for business needs, you can explore commercial remote desktop software.
Why Chrome Remote Desktop?
- It’s free!
- It is lightweight and fast.
- It is user-friendly.
- Not just your computer, but you can help your friends, family remotely.
Let’s go through in more depth and gets our hands dirty with this friendly tool…
Getting Started With Chrome Remote Desktop
Chrome Remote Desktop involves 4 Easy Steps to start working.
To start working with chrome desktop first, you need to have Chrome downloaded and installed in your system or mobile device to access it from anywhere.
1. Download the Chrome Remote Desktop
On the Chrome browser, access the Chrome Remote Desktop web page. You will be navigated to the download page. At the bottom right, there will be a blue-colored arrow option to download the plugin. Click on the button to start downloading.
2. Installing the Chrome Remote Desktop
Once downloaded, the button will become on the same page to accept the conditions and start the installation. Click on the button to proceed further.
3. Choose the Device name and password
Once clicked on the install button, you need to enter the Device name to be visible to the remote users while accessing the host device.
Post entering the Device Name, you need to enter the 6 digit pin to make remote access more secure and prevent unauthorized access to others.
4. Start the application
Once clicked on the Start button, the host device is ready to make or accept remote connections.
Next, you might be wondering how to connect the above system remotely?
Here you go..
Working with Remote support
Google has provided features to make use of Google Remote Desktop without installing. On the same page, click on Remote Support. The screen will be appeared with below two options.
Get Support
It facilitates users to ask for one-time support from any user, known or unknown. Get Support option is only available if Google Remote Desktop is installed on the system.
- To get the support, click on the Generate Code button; it will generate a One-Time password to be shared with remote users.
- Click on the rectangular box to copy the one-time code. This code will be valid for 5 minutes. Upon canceling, a new code will be generated.
- The remote user will use the provided One-Time code to access the Client system.
Give Support
It helps the remote users to access other’s machines and give remote support. In order to give support, remote users would require the one-time access code generated on the client’s machine.
- The client user is required to generate the access code [step 2 above] and share it with the remote user so that the remote user can work on the client’s machine.
- Once getting the access code from the client host, the remote host is required to navigate to the Google Chrome Remote Desktop web page and access the remote support.
- The remote user is required to enter the given access code in the Give Support text bar and click on the connect button.
- Once clicking the connect button at the remote side, it will ask for confirmation.
- Once the remote user has allowed and clicked on the share, he/she can access and control the client machine.
Accessing Remotely Using the Mobile [Android/iOS]
Google has provided the facility to access the remote PC through mobile devices. Install iOS or Android; once installed, users can use mobile devices to operate remote PCs.
Please note, before using a mobile app, the user email id being used on the phone must be registered with a chrome remote desktop; otherwise, the app will show a message “There’s nothing to connect to you need to first set up your computer for remote access.”
Steps to connect PC from Mobile
After setting up the computer for remote access, a list of connected computers will be given on the screen.
Once clicked on the listed computers, it will show “connecting to the remote computer”.
It will ask for the pin set for the remote system while registering the system with Chrome Remote Desktop. Once entered the pin, the user will be able to access its own system located at remote via phone.
While accessing the remote system, a blue button will appear in the right bottom corner. On clicking, the button will show the option to operate on the remote machine.
- Show keyboard: It will help the user to write anything on a remote system.
- Trackpad/Touchpad mode: Selecting trackpad mode to restrict users to view only the page. In contrast, the touchpad mode help to click and do any action on the remote system.
- Disconnect: click to disconnect remote system access.
- Settings: will give the option to resize the screen to fit on the screen and other options to customize.
- Dock Left: Will shift the blue button on the bottom left or bottom right
What it lacks?
- It doesn’t provide [drag and drop] support to share files remotely.
- Functionality to chat or exchange messages along with sharing system is not present. The user has to use another device to connect and explain things to the controller user.
- It doesn’t provide a multi-monitor sharing feature; if you try for the same, all desktop will be crammed in the display, and the user won’t be able to navigate between the windows.
- There is no functionality to maintain and browse through multiple connections. Users can connect to one system at one time.
Conclusion
Hey, come’ on. It is free, so stop complaining and take advantage of it. Imagine your home or office computer on your mobile!
Explore more tools to help you work from home or beach.