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Desktop Streaming

The desktop app can be used to connect to your Core desktops machines from your Mac, PC, or Linux computer.

Overview

Desktop streaming is available from both a web browser and our desktop app.

Browser-based streaming has certain limitations that are available in our desktop app.

Benefits of the desktop app:

Hotkeys

Use any hotkeys with complete OS integration.

Drag & Drop

Getting a file in to your computer in the cloud is as easy as dragging it and dropping it.

Multi-monitor

The app can run on up to two displays.

USB Redirection

Forward your local USB device(s) into your machine.

Desktop Stream Features

Multi-monitor

A Multi-monitor display is available in the native app and web browser by selecting "Add Monitor" from the Paperspace menu. At the same time, inside your machine, which will launch a secondary display window for your machine.

While it is possible to enable the second monitor in your web browser, there are some limitations to multi-monitor display on browsers. This is due to inherent limitations in web browser technology.

Copy and Paste/Sync Clipboard

You can copy and paste text between your local device and your Paperspace machine on all platforms.

In the App on a Windows Virtual Machine:

You can copy and paste just like you normally would, no extra steps necessary.

In a Linux Desktop or in the Browser:

If you are accessing Paperspace from your web browser or a Linux computer, this requires syncing your local computer's clipboard with your machine, so that your machineknows that you want to paste to it.

Instructions:

  • Copy the text you would like to transfer, either on your local machine or within your Paperspace machine
  • Click the small circle button in the Paperspace interface and then click "Sync Clipboard"
  • Follow the instructions on the screen to paste. On a PC, you'll enter CTL+V to paste. On a Mac, you'll first do CMD+V to sync and then CTL+V to paste into your PC.

Drag-and-Drop Upload (Windows machines)

You can easily upload a file or a folder to your Paperspace machine if you drag and drop it on a running machine. This feature works using both a web browser and our native app. Drag and drop are one-way, from the local machine to your Paperspace machine.

USB Redirection

USB Redirection is a feature that allows you to pass a connected USB device along to your Paperspace machine. This feature is fully supported in the native app for Windows users.

To enable USB Redirection, open your Paperspace app and launch your virtual machine.

  • Click the menu (in the upper right corner), and then select USB Forwarding -> Enable.

That's it! Certain devices will require you to install drivers on both the local machine and the Paperspace machine.

At the moment, connecting more than one device may cause issues. It's best to connect one device at a time.

Desktop Stream Settings

Customize your app experience with the following settings! To access the Settings section in the desktop App, launch any machine, and click the menu icon in the upper right corner. Choose "Settings."

UDP

UDP is a newer streaming protocol which you can read more about in the Native App Overview article. These settings allow you to enable it, as well as choose to use Super Responsive Mode, the maximum wait time (in ms), and the number of frames for an intra-refresh cycle.

Emulate USB Mouse

This feature addresses an issue that some users have specifically while gaming. It uses an emulated USB mouse device, if available. Note that the mouse movement may be slightly less accurate.

Allow machineto Move Mouse

Some games or applications will move the mouse within the machineon its own. This setting will mirror the movement of the mouse in the local device. This is recommended if you use games or applications that capture the mouse, like some 3D games.

GPU Acceleration

Allow the application to use your physical machine's GPU (graphics processing unit) as a co-processor to accelerate CPUs for general-purpose computing. The GPU accelerates applications running on the CPU by offloading some of the compute-intensive and time-consuming portions of the code.

Hotkeys

Desktop App Hotkeys

Within the app, you can set your shortcuts by clicking the menu, selecting "Settings," and adding your hotkeys.

Hotkey Forwarding

Many programs offer the ability to use keyboard combinations as shortcuts. By default, the local device you're using will capture these keyboard combinations, prohibiting them from getting sent to your Paperspace machine.

Our desktop app can "forward" these keyboard events so you can use all your hotkeys, just like you would on a physical machine.

Note: Hotkey forwarding is not possible in a web browser.

Using RDP, VNC, or Other Streaming Protocols

We have developed our protocol to connect you to your Core machine. If you prefer to use another remote desktop application, you are welcome to do so, and we do not prevent any remote desktop applications from running.

Keep in mind that some remote desktop applications require a Public IP address (or VPN tunnel) to connect. These technologies will not work unless a public IP is added to your machine. Examples of direct remote desktop applications include RDP, HP Remote Graphics, and VNC.

To use RDP on a Core machine, you will need the Windows password to the paperspace user

Remote desktop applications that do not require a public IP address include TeamViewer, Chrome Remote Desktop, GoToMyPC, etc. These technologies assist in establishing a link to your machine without using a public IP address.