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Best free remote desktop program for using ArcGIS Pro at home?

StephScavelli

What is the best free remote desktop program out there for running ArcGIS Pro on a home set up?

I'm planning to upgrade a desktop computer with the specs to handle ArcGIS Pro then remote access that computer with my laptop.

I am giving TeamViewer a try but wonder if you've found a better free remote desktop solution for a home set up?

Thank you!

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MErikReedAugusta

I just use Windows Remote Desktop for this. Full disclosure, though: I'm typically only remoting in from another desktop on-site.

I did do a short stint of work-from-home during the latter months of the pandemic, but we were still running Desktop 10.7 at the time, and I didn't do any real heavy processing.

Based on what I did see, though, I would expect it was likely decent enough speed. My desktop at work was doing the heavy lifting, either way.

blake.terhune

Same. I've always used built-in Windows Remote Desktop and I've had no complaints. I think there's some better options if you are constantly switching between many RD sessions at once, but for a single session it's perfectly fine. Is there some feature in particular you find lacking?

Robert_LeClair

For our Esri Training Instructor-Led online classes, we use Remote Desktop primarily to access student ReadyTech VM's. Works well!

BrandonA_CDPH

I have had good results with Citrix Workspace. Virtual Machine did not work out well, but a physical computer remoted into through Citrix Workspace did the trick.

StephScavelli

Thanks so much for the reply (and full disclosure.) I'm currently trying out TeamViewer, but I wonder if it's worth upgrading to Windows 11 Pro to be able to use the Microsoft Remote Desktop your using.

StephScavelli

Thanks for the reply @BlakeTerhune .

I have to upgrade to Windows 11 Pro to use the Microsoft Remote Desktop that your using and for $100 one-time fee I wonder if it's worth it? Otherwise, TeamViewer is working decent enough and it's free. The only things is I have to leave my computer at home on with the TeamViewer App open to connect remotely to it.

StephScavelli

Thanks for sharing @Robert_LeClair . I am so excited to see how easy it is to remote desktop using ArcGIS Pro. This means I can keep my laptop which is a Microsoft Surface Book 2 and instead upgrade the specs on a new desktop, instead of getting a clunky ugly gaming laptop to lug around.

StephScavelli

Thanks for the reply @BrandonA_CDPH

What didn't work about the Virtual Machine option you put together? It def seems more complicated than a remote desktop to a physical machine.

Why did you choose Citrix Workspace over another remote desktop option? The ratings are bad on the Microsoft App store.

StephScavelli

I watched this Esri video on YouTube about a complicated set up companies need to put together to remote desktop into ArcGIS Pro for multiple users and added layers of security. But as a single user connecting to my own personal laptop to another device left at home I am relieved to confirm that I can just use a regular remote desktop program.

What people suggested here was the Microsoft Remote Desktop feature available in Windows 11 Pro system and one users is using Citrix Workspace. Right now, I'm trying out TeamViewer.

ArcGIS Pro runs in my remote desktop session. There is definitely a lag, but that is likely due to the internet connection. Thanks everyone for the replies!

This saved me from buy a clunky gaming laptop to carry around. Instead, I get to keep my delightful 16GB Microsoft Surface Book 2 as my travel laptop and now I'm looking into a new desktop computer with better specs for ArcGIS Pro that I can remote desktop into.

BrandonA_CDPH

Honestly, I was/am workign within the confines of what my work IT department offers, so my choices are made for me.

The Virtual Machine was fine for basic mapping and a little ArcGIS Pro work, but for analysis or more complicated symbology (i.e. the real reason for using Pro), it kept crashing and hanging. It came around to a lack of a dedicated graphics card, so they moved me off the Virtual Machine and to a tower set up with Citrix Workspace.

BrandonA_CDPH

Even though I'm within the cofines of what my IT sets up at work, this is good info to know. At least worth a suggestion. 🙂

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