# Steps to Initiate Remote Control

Ensure [prerequisites](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/tools/remote_desktop_pre-requisites.html) and required [settings](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/tools/remote_desktop_sharing_configuring_settings.html) are configured before you start remote connection.

## Connect to remote computers

Follow below steps to initiate [remote desktop](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/remote-desktop-sharing.html) control with desktops or laptops:

1. Navigate to `Tools -> Remote Control`.
2. Click on **Connect** button corresponding to the device you wish to remotely access.
3. When multiple users are logged in the same computer, click on the three dots next to connect and choose the required user account.
4. If user confirmation is enabled, server will wait for approval from end user. If not remote session will be established immediately.
5. If multiple monitors are connected to the device, they will be automatically detected and displayed.

## Quick launch tools

Quickly perform operations on endpoint devices during remote sessions with the help of below features:

### HTML5 Viewer

| Icon | Action |
|---|---|
| ![Fit to Screen](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/icon_original_size.webp) | Show viewer in original size. |
| ![Fit to Screen](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/icon_fit_screen.webp) | Fit viewer to full screen. |
| ![Refresh icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/icon_refresh.webp) | Refresh the current view. If the computer is locked or no user has logged on, you are required to log in. |
| ![Cad icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/icon_cad.webp) | Switch to security options screen to sign out, restart, swap users or access task manager. |
| ![Alt icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/icon_alt_tab.webp) | Switch between different tabs in the remote device. |
| ![blacken icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/icon_blacken.webp) | Blackout end user's screen to perform sensitive operations. |
| ![disable icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/icon_disable_inputs.webp) | Disable user's keyboard and mouse inputs. |
| ![enable icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/icon_enable_inputs.webp) | Enable user's keyboard and mouse inputs. |
| ![clipboard icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/icon_send_clipboard.webp) | Clipboard keystroke to copy and paste password in log in screen. |
| ![keyboard icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/icon_user_keyboard.webp) | Use the language configured in end user's keyboard. |
| ![view only icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/icon_view_only.webp) | View only mode |
| ![control icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/icon_control.webp) | Gain access to control the remote device. |
| ![ssl icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/icon_screenshot.webp) | Take screenshot of the remote device screen. |
| ![statistics icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/icon_performance_statistics.webp) | View network performance of viewer and end-user device. |
| ![quicklaunch icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/icon_quicklaunch.webp) | Quick access to diagnostic tools like task manager, power options and system clean-up tools. |
| ![ icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/icon_ft.webp) | Share files and folders between end user and the viewer device. [Know more](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/tools/file_transfer.html) |
| ![chat icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/icon_chat.webp) | Initiate chat, voice or video call end users. |
| ![hotkey icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/icon_hotkey.webp) | Get control over remote computers hot keys like ctrl, alt, esc and win. |

### Active X Viewer

| Icon | Action |
|---|---|
| ![c-a-d icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/ctrl-alt-del.webp) | Switch to security options screen to sign out, restart, swap user or access task manager. |
| ![refresh icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/refresh_c.webp) | Refresh the current view. If the computer is locked or no user has logged on, you are required to login. |
| ![alt icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/alt-tab.webp) | Switch between different tabs in the remote device. |
| ![black-screen icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/blank-screen.webp) | Black out end user's screen to perform sensitive operations. |
| ![lock keyboard icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/lock-keyboard.webp) | Lock user's keyboard and mouse inputs. |
| ![unlock keyboard](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/unlock-keyboard.webp) | Unlock user's keyboard and mouse inputs. |
| ![stop control icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/stop_control.webp) | View only mode |
| ![control icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/control_c.webp) | Gain access to control the remote device. |
| File Transfer | Share files and folders between end user and the viewer device. [Know more](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/tools/file_transfer.html) |
| ![zoom icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/zoom_in.webp) | Zoom in |
| ![zoom out icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/zoom_out_c.webp) | Zoom out |
| ![clickboard icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/clip_board.webp) | Clipboard keystroke to copy and paste password in login screen. |
| ![actual icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/actual_c.webp) | Show viewer in original size. |
| ![fit icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/fit_c.webp) | Fit viewer to screen size. |
| ![max icon](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/max_c.webp) | Fit viewer to full screen. |

## Audit remote control history

Whenever a user establishes a remote connection using Endpoint Central, all the events performed on the remote computer are logged.

1. Navigate to **Remote Control** tab and click on ![user access](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/tools/user_access.webp) icon corresponding to respective device name.
2. Report of all remote connections established to that specific endpoint will be displayed.
3. Get a consolidated report of remote sessions established to all the endpoints from **History** tab.
4. You can also get remote control reports from **Action Log Viewer** under **Admin -> Audit**. Check out the below video to find out how?

[How to view the log reason for a remote session](https://www.youtube.com/embed/dfTs67O_LtY)