Last week I told you I had a better idea than using Google Cloud Print. That feature of Google’s Chrome browser allows you to print documents from any of your computers to your printer in any location. There is one other way to print using this feature. That is by connecting directly to a networked "Cloud" ready printer. However, unless you have a fairly new printer with that capability you need to set it up the way I described before.
I used the above feature for a while years ago, but it often failed and today still continues down that path. It intermittently fails to print when you are really counting on it.
If you read this column you know that I recently bought a Chromebook, whose operating system is basically the Chrome browser. It had the cloud print feature built in so I tried it again and ran into same issue.
Now I want to share a much better solution with you. This is a Chrome extension (they are small applications you add to the browser to perform specific functions) named "Chrome Remote Desktop."
Simply stated it allows you to connect one of your computers to another. That way when you are "on the road" and need to print at your home printer you actually log into your home computer and print directly from there to the printer. It is exactly as if you are sitting at your desk at home and you could be in another country.
The setup is easy. You must have Google Chrome browser installed on both computers. Both must be connected to the internet and the printer must already work with your home computer. Now install it on both computers like this: Start Chrome and log in with your Gmail account. Go to your Settings, Extensions, scroll to the bottom, and click "Get more extensions." Search for "Chrome Remote Desktop" and it will show at the top of the list. Click the "+ Free" button and it will be added to your computer’s browser in just a few seconds. You must do this on both computers.
Next, do this on the computer that is connected to your printer. Go to Chrome’s apps button which is located in varying places depending on the version. Open the apps and find "Chrome Remote Desktop." Look to the bottom of the window and click, "Enable remote connections." Type in a strong "pin" which is basically a numeric password. I suggest eight digits at a minimum. Click, "OK," confirm you are logged into your Gmail account, reenter your pin and you are most likely finished. Depending on your computer’s settings you may get another suggestion or two from Google.
Now when you are away and need to print it is easy. Start Chrome making sure you are logged in with the same Gmail account. Go to the Chrome apps and click the remote desktop icon and a list of your computers will appear. Click on the one you wish to use, enter your pin and almost instantly, depending connection speed, you will be logging into your home computer. There you can print, pull up files, run your word processor and whatever else you could normally do on that computer. Easy and dependable!
