# Steps to initiate remote control

## Table of contents

1. [Connect to remote computers](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/remote_desktop_sharing/accessing_remote_desktop.html#Connecting-remotely-to-computers)
2. [Quick launch tools](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/remote_desktop_sharing/accessing_remote_desktop.html#Controlling-a-remote-computer)
3. [Audit remote control history](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/remote_desktop_sharing/accessing_remote_desktop.html#Auditing-remote-access-details)

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

### Active X Viewer

| Icon | Action |
|---|---|
| ![](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/images/ctrl-alt-del.png) | Switch to security options screen to sign out, restart, swap user or access task manager. |
| ![Refresh](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/images/refresh_c.jpg) | Refresh the current view. If the computer is locked or no user has logged on, you are required to login. |
| ![](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/images/alt-tab.png) | Switch between different tabs in the remote device. |
| ![](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/images/blank-screen.png) | Black out end user's screen to perform sensitive operations. |
| ![](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/images/lock-keyboard.png) | Lock user's keyboard and mouse inputs. |
| ![](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/images/unlock-keyboard.png) | Unlock user's keyboard and mouse inputs. |
| ![Stop Controlling Remote Desktop](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/images/stop_control.jpg) | View only mode |
| ![Request for Controlling Remote Desktop](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/images/control_c.jpg) | 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/remote_desktop_sharing/file_transfer.html) |
| ![Zoom In](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/images/zoom_in.jpg) | Zoom in |
| ![Zoom Out](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/images/zoom_out_c.jpg) | Zoom out |
| ![Full Screen View](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/images/clip_board.jpg) | Clipboard keystroke to copy and paste password in login screen. |
| ![Actual Size](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/images/actual_c.jpg) | Show viewer in original size. |
| ![Fit to Screen](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/images/fit_c.jpg) | Fit viewer to screen size. |
| ![Full Screen View](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/images/max_c.jpg) | 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 Log](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/images/user_access.gif) 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?

[Link](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/demo/remote/log-reason.html?feature_page_thumbnail)