Remote Access and Remote Desktop refers to software or an OS feature allowing graphical applications to be run remotely on a server or computer, while being displayed locally. Remote desktop applications have varying features. Some allow attaching to an existing user’s session (i.e. a running desktop) and “remote controlling” it in front of the user’s eyes. Taking over a desktop remotely is a form of remote administration.

Since the advent of cloud computing, remote desktop software can now be housed on USB hardware devices, allowing users to connect the device to any online PC and recreate their desktop via a connection to the cloud. This model avoids the problem with remote desktop software, which depends on the user’s primary computer being switched on at the time when the user wishes to access it remotely.