🦉 To learn how to install AnyDesk on different operating systems, see this article.
This section provides an overview of the different ways AnyDesk can be run on a device. AnyDesk supports both portable and installed modes. The mode you choose affects how the application behaves, which features are available, and whether administrative privileges are required.
You can run AnyDesk in one of three modes:
Portable mode (without installation)
In this mode, AnyDesk runs as a standalone application without being installed on the operating system.
Portable mode details:
Does not require administrator privileges to run.
Does not start automatically with the operating system; Remote Access is only possible after manually starting AnyDesk.
Closes automatically and ends all active sessions when the AnyDesk window is closed or the user signs out.
Unattended Access is available only after AnyDesk is manually started.
Limited features:
Connecting users cannot interact with UAC prompts
Remote Restart and setting up Alias are not supported.
Portable mode with Elevation (run as admin)
In this mode, AnyDesk is not installed but is run with elevated (administrator) privileges.
🦉 To learn how to elevate an AnyDesk client, see this article.
Portable mode with Elevation details:
Requires administrator credentials to launch with elevated privileges.
Allows connecting users to view and interact with UAC prompts.
Does not start automatically with the operating system; must be launched manually to allow remote access.
Can run outside the user session, including on the Windows login screen.
Closes automatically and ends all active sessions when the AnyDesk window is closed or the user signs out.
Unattended Access is available only after AnyDesk is manually started.
Installed mode (with installation)
This is the standard and recommended setup for using AnyDesk.
Installed mode details:
Installs the AnyDesk Global Service, which enables background operation.which allows the application to run in the background, remain accessible after signing out or rebooting.
Starts automatically with the operating system, ensuring the device is always reachable for remote connections.
Continues running in the background even after all AnyDesk windows are closed.
Persists across user sessions and system restarts, allowing connections to resume without user intervention.
Enables full feature support:
Connecting users can view and interact with UAC prompts.
Remote Restart is available for reconnecting after reboots.
Connecting users can use the CTRL+ALT+DEL command during remote sessions.
Allows creating and managing Alias
Unattended Access is always available.
Administrator privileges are required to manually stop or restart the AnyDesk service via the system tray.
🦉 Use Case: Permanent remote access, IT support environments, or system administration tasks.