By Remote desktop editorial team · Last verified [date] · Current release [tag]
Install from GitHub Releases
Remote desktop on Windows means RustDesk. Open GitHub Releases, download the current rustdesk-*-x86_64.exe for x64 or the matching .msi, and run it. On ARM64 Windows take rustdesk-*-aarch64.exe.
Related: exe or msi, for this computer, download safe.
Both ends
Install on the controlling PC and the peer you want to see. Each side shows Your ID. Enter the peer ID to request a session. First hour: installed. First run: remote-desktop-first-run. Safety: is-remote-desktop-safe. Home: /.
After install
Confirm SmartScreen allowed the GitHub asset, read Your ID, and keep the peer awake for the first test. Self-host and unattended options can wait until a simple connect works.
Extra remote desktop context
Prefer GitHub Releases for rustdesk/rustdesk when you need rustdesk--x86_64.exe or rustdesk--x86_64.msi. ARM64 peers take rustdesk-*-aarch64.exe from the same tag. Public copy says the current release rather than hardcoding dotted versions.
Wake both machines, confirm Your ID, and move the mouse once before you chase self-host, unattended passwords, or file transfer trees. Skip Softonic-style wrappers. Related: download safe, releases, GitHub, home.
Lab images may block unknown executables. Use a PC you control or an approved channel. Sleep and wrong IDs kill more sessions than codec choice. Update through the same GitHub door you used to install. Comparison shape: vs AnyDesk.
Tags are bare numbers without a v prefix. Nightly builds exist for testers; everyday installs prefer stable tag assets. Read AGPL-3.0 licence text on the repo before redistributing modified builds.
More remote desktop context for Windows
Prefer GitHub Releases for rustdesk/rustdesk when you need rustdesk--x86_64.exe or rustdesk--x86_64.msi for remote desktop on Windows. ARM64 peers take rustdesk-*-aarch64.exe from the same tag. Public copy says the current release rather than hardcoding dotted versions in HTML.
Wake both machines, confirm Your ID, and move the mouse once before you chase self-host, unattended passwords, or file transfer trees for remote desktop. Skip Softonic-style wrappers. Related: download safe, releases, GitHub, home, vs AnyDesk.
Lab images may block unknown executables. Use a PC you control or an approved channel when you need a clean remote desktop path. Sleep and wrong IDs kill more remote desktop sessions than codec choice. Update through the same GitHub door you used to install.
Tags are bare numbers without a v prefix. Nightly builds exist for testers; everyday remote desktop installs prefer stable tag assets. Read AGPL-3.0 licence text on the repo before redistributing modified builds. First-hour notes live on /installed. Machine chooser: for this computer.
A successful remote desktop connect on two machines you trust beats stacking three mirrors. Keep one Start Menu entry. Prefer the Flutter x86_64 exe or msi on the stable tag unless you have a specific reason to take another asset. Sciter-labelled builds appear as legacy UI paths on some tags.
Frequently asked questions
How do I install on Windows?
Download rustdesk-*-x86_64.exe or .msi from GitHub Releases and run it. Related: exe or msi. Prefer GitHub Releases for rustdesk/rustdesk, confirm the asset name before you run it, and keep one update door for remote desktop on Windows.
Is there a winget command?
No winget package is mapped on this guide. Use GitHub Releases. Prefer GitHub Releases for rustdesk/rustdesk, confirm the asset name before you run it, and keep one update door for remote desktop on Windows.
Do I need an account?
No. The desktop download does not require a RustDesk account for basic peer connect. Prefer GitHub Releases for rustdesk/rustdesk, confirm the asset name before you run it, and keep one update door for remote desktop on Windows.