AnyDesk is a well-known remote desktop software solution, but if you’re still researching for the best option, you may wonder if there are alternatives better suited to your requirements. This article explains the basics of AnyDesk and helps businesses looking for alternatives to AnyDesk by providing a list of pros and cons for the most. AnyDesk Connect to a computer remotely, be it from the other end of the office or halfway around the world. AnyDesk ensures secure and reliable remote desktop connections for IT professionals and on-the-go individuals alike. The state of the privacy mode is displayed in the address field. (Indicated by a crossed eye in the monitor).

AnyDesk provides Copy & Paste synced clipboard for all platforms to perform file transfer operations. Both hotkey (e.g. CTRL+C, CTRL+V) and context menu operation (right-click and copy files) are applicable.Additionally a dedicated file manager is available for Windows and MacOS. (Linux and Android up to this point can only handle incoming file transfer requests.)

Note:

File transfer on Linux has a slightly different handling. See the description below.

File Manager in Windows and MacOS

File manager (FM) runs seperatly in its own tab, either parallel to a session or dedicated without a session running. Consequently the FM starts at session request or later on during session. Unlike the synced clipboard, the FM doesn't provide Copy & Paste or Drag n' Drop capability, yet.

To start a dedicated FM session simply hit Browse Files in the main window. You will not be able to control the other sides, besides transfering File. To transfer files during a remote control session, start the File Manager from within the Action menu.

File Transfer in MacOS

Copy a file or selection to the clipboard on the local or remote side. A pending file transfer request will show up on the opposing side. To initiate file transfer, click the file transfer icon in the Session window or the file transfer icon in the Accept window respectively to transfer files to the session partner. This will also work for file clipboard send from MacOS.

Copy/Paste text via clipboard in MacOS

Windows to MacOS: copy with CTRL+C, paste with CMD+V (on Windows keyboard use Windows-key as command)

MacOS to Windows: copy with CMD+C, paste with CTRL+V

For more information on keyboard shortcuts see: Keyboard Shortcuts.

File Transfer in Linux

Copy a file or selection to the clipboard on the local or remote side. A pending file transfer request will show up on the opposing side. To initiate file transfer, click the file transfer icon in the Session window or the file transfer icon in the Accept window respectively to transfer files to the session partner. This will also work for file clipboard send from Windows.

File Transfer from Linux to Windows

Copy a file or selection to the clipboard on Linux client. The clipboard will be send to the Windows client. Browse to a folder or the desktop and paste either by context menu or by pressing ctrl+v.

Anydesk Remote Control

Disable File Transfer

File transfer can be disabled by disabling clipboard transmission in the security settings ('Access my computer's clipboard'). This will disable clipboard sync in both directions.On incoming session, disable the clipboard temporarily by adjusting Permissions in the accept window. For outgoing session, set the permissions in the main menu.

See also: Local Permissions

Screen Privacy is an option to secure or conceal the content of a session by disabling the monitor.
The screen privacy feature is available for Windows 8/10, macOS and Linux.Privacy mode during a session disables the monitor on the remote side.The screen contents are hidden for anyone with physical access to the remote device.
Input and sound from the remote side is also blocked during privacy mode until either the session ends or privacy is disabled.

Anydesk Remote Desktop Keyboard Not Working

Function

Privacy Mode hides the screen contents and blocks user input at the remote machine.
It only disables the remote display(s), and doesn’t hide any data or actions.
Once activated Screen Privacy is stored per ID and is persistent across sessions.
See Settings

Capability

A request to enter Privacy Mode, requested explicitly (from the menu) or automatically.
May be rejected at the backend for various reasons:

1. The backend client is not installed.
2. The backend client does not allow using Privacy Mode.
3. The backend client does not support Privacy Mode (Windows 7 or outdated client version).
4. The backend client is not able to enter Privacy Mode due to missing privileges required by the operating system.
5. The backend client is not able to enter Privacy Mode due to missing hardware support.
6. The backend client has the same ID as the frontend client.

Multiple sessions

In case multiple users are connected to the same client and at least two of them request Privacy Mode:

1. Privacy Mode is entered on first request (if possible),
2. Privacy Mode should be left either in case

Anydesk Remote Pc

a. the last user that requested Privacy Mode requested to leave it.

b. the last user that requested Privacy Mode closed the corresponding session.

Exceptions

Under certain circumstances, Privacy Mode may not work (or stops working) due to OS security architecture.
Thus, either input may not be blocked, or the screen contents are not hidden, or both:

1. During UAC dialog
2. After sending Ctrl+Alt+Del
3. After logout
4. During user switch
5. After the desktop has been locked

Known Issues

On Windows 8 and 10 Privacy Mode will be left in case the frontend user switches to a monitor with rotated screen.
It is restored, when switching to a non-rotated monitor (even the contents of the rotated screen are hidden).