--- title: Can I use a Remote Desktop Connection? description: Remote Desktop can be used to connect to a Windows Server running Terminal Services, also called Remote Desktop Services. You can also use Remote Desktop to connect to your personal computer at the office. --- [Skip to content](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles/can-i-use-a-remote-desktop-connection#main-content) [Go to Customer Portal](https://hub.acctivate.com/tickets?hsLang=en) ![Acctivate - A CAI Solution](https://hub.acctivate.com/hubfs/Images/Logos/acctivate-cai-logo-svg.svg) - [Knowledge Base](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Knowledge Base](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles) - [Go to Customer Portal](https://hub.acctivate.com/tickets) - [Support Resources / Create Ticket](https://acctivate.com/support) [Support Resources / Create Ticket](https://acctivate.com/support) Hello. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Knowledge Base](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles?hsLang=en) 2. [Installation](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles/installation?hsLang=en) 3. [Remote Access](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles/installation?hsLang=en#remote-access) April 11, 2025 # Can I use a Remote Desktop Connection? ## Remote Desktop can be used to connect to a Windows Server running Terminal Services, also called Remote Desktop Services. You can also use Remote Desktop to connect to your personal computer at the office. Microsoft offers the **Remote Desktop Connection** software to access your Windows PC from a home or remote computer.  The free client software can be installed on Windows and Mac OSX computers.  There are also [Remote Desktop clients for iOS and Android](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles/can-i-use-acctivate-on-apple-ipad-or-android-tabletcan-i-use-acctivate-on-apple-ipad-or-android-tablet?hsLang=en). Remote Desktop can be used to connect to a **Windows Server running Remote Desktop Services**, formerly called Terminal Services, which provides access to your business applications that are configured on a centralized Windows Server.  Configuring Windows RDS is beyond the scope of this article.  We recommend that you contact your IT support staff to discuss Remote Desktop Services.  Acctivate supports Remote Desktop Services on all [approved Windows Server editions](https://acctivate.com/onboarding/install/requirements/). You can also use Remote Desktop to connect to your **personal computer at the office**.  This method gives you direct access to all of your applications as if you were sitting at your desk.  The **Remote Desktop Connection** service is only included on the business (e.g. Professional) editions of Windows.  You should contact your IT support staff to configure your network (i.e., VPN) to allow secure Remote Desktop connections to your personal computer at the office. Instructions for using Remote Desktop Connection software are available on [Microsoft's official site](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/how-to-use-remote-desktop-5fe128d5-8fb1-7a23-3b8a-41e636865e8c). There's also Mac instructions [here](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/clients/remote-desktop-mac). Please be sure to read through our [Microsoft Remote Desktop Performance article](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles/how-do-i-use-microsoft-remote-desktop-for-the-best-performance?hsLang=en) if you have a slower internet connection. Alternatively, you may want to consider third-party remote connection services, such as [Citrix GoToMyPC](http://www.gotomypc.com/) or [LogMeIn](http://www.logmein.com/).  These products are often much easier to configure and use.  However, they are not included in Windows and typically require a paid subscription. - [Getting Started](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles/getting-started?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Basics](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles/getting-started?hsLang=en#basics) - [User Interface](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles/getting-started?hsLang=en#user-interface) - [Manager windows](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles/getting-started?hsLang=en#manager-windows) - [List windows](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles/getting-started?hsLang=en#list-windows) - [Transaction windows](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles/getting-started?hsLang=en#transaction-windows) - [License and Users](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles/getting-started?hsLang=en#license-and-users) - [Email](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles/getting-started?hsLang=en#email) - 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