---
title: "Installation"
slug: "portable-vs-installed"
tags: ["AnyDesk Installation", "Installed", "Portable Mode"]
updated: 2026-04-01T14:03:41Z
published: 2026-04-01T14:03:49Z
canonical: "support.anydesk.com/portable-vs-installed"
stale: true
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.anydesk.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Installation

> [!NOTE]
> 🦉 To learn how to install AnyDesk on different operating systems, see [**this article**](/v1/docs/install-anydesk).

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)](/docs/portable-vs-installed#portable-mode-without-installation)
- [Portable mode with Elevation (run as Administrator)](/docs/portable-vs-installed#portable-mode-with-elevation-run-as-admin)
- [Installed mode (with Installation)](/docs/portable-vs-installed#installed-mode-with-installation)

---

## 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**](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/application-security/application-control/user-account-control/)
  - [**Remote Restart**](/v1/docs/remote-restart) and [**setting up Alias**](/v1/docs/manage-anydesk-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.

> [!NOTE]
> 🦉 To learn how to elevate an AnyDesk client, see [**this article**](/v1/docs/administrative-privileges-and-elevation-uac).

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 and 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.

> [!NOTE]
> 🦉 **Use Case:** Permanent remote access, IT support environments, or system administration tasks.

The ability to access and control a device from a different location using AnyDesk, facilitating remote support and work.

A feature that allows connections to a remote device without requiring manual approval on the other end, enabling access using just a password.

## Related

- [Install AnyDesk](/install-anydesk.md)
- [Supported operating systems](/supported-operating-systems.md)
- [Configure firewalls for AnyDesk](/firewall.md)