Getting Started with NoMachine

Start your journey to the next level of network computing

NoMachine enables secure access to remote computers over the Internet and on LAN, wherever those computers are. NoMachine can be used to access your own desktop, to provide remote assistance on someone else's computer and facilitate remote collaboration. There are two ways you can connect to a computer using NoMachine: by using IP address of the machine you want to connect to (local or public-facing), or alternatively, by using NoMachine Network. If you want to connect using your target machine's IP address, stay on this page and continue reading below. If, on the other hand, you want to reach a machine that doesn't have a public IP address or is behind a firewall or NAT, see the dedicated tutorial for NoMachine Network, the subscription service for all NoMachine users.

Install and activate NoMachine on the target computer

The instructions below are for connecting to a computer that is on the same local network (LAN). If you want to connect using your computer’s public IP address, click here.
Download the NoMachine package (e.g., Personal Edition) for your operating system to the computer that you want to control remotely.
Install the application.
To connect to this machine, the server software must be activated with a license file. You can generate an evaluation license or purchase a subscription. Evaluation licenses are generated from your User Area. If you don’t have an account already, you can create one here.
Upload the license file by opening the NoMachine application and going to Settings > Server > Updates > License info panel. More information about activating the software is available in the knowledge base article here.
To remotely connect to your computer, you need a system user account on that machine (username and password). You also need to know its private IP address which is assigned to your specific device within your local network. There are two ways you can check your computer's IP address in NoMachine. (i) Open NoMachine from the programs or applications menu. A Welcome panel will publish the local IP address of the computer on which you have installed the software (fig. 1). Or (ii) click on the !M icon (the NoMachine Monitor) which is visible in the computer's system tray. Click on 'Server Status' (fig. 2).
Take note of this IP address. You will need it in the next phase when you are ready to connect to this computer.
You can now close the NoMachine application.

Image of computer's IP address in the NoMachine welcome panel

Fig. 1 - The first Welcome panel will show the computer's local IP address

Fig. 2 - The IP address can also be checked in Settings > Status accessible from the NoMachine monitor (!M) in the system tray

Install a NoMachine client on the device you want to connect from

Now go to the computer or device that you want to connect from.
Install NoMachine for your mobile device or the Enterprise Client package. You can, if you want, install any NoMachine package because they all provide the NoMachine Player component, the interface which lets you start NoMachine connections. In that case, no server activation is required.

Start your first NoMachine connection

Open NoMachine on the device you want to connect from. Click 'OK' to go past the Welcome panels. The next panel is the 'Machines' panel (fig. 3).
From 'Machines' you can start a new connection. NoMachine desktops which are advertized on your same local network and any connections which you create appear in this panel.
Insert the IP address in the 'Search machines' field and click 'Connect'. The connection will start and you can proceed to the section Login to the remote computer.
Alternatively, if you prefer, you can click 'Add' to create and configure the connection manually
In 'Add', you can assign a connection name for identification, in our example it's 'Testdrive'.
Insert the IP address you noted down earlier in the field 'Host' (fig. 4).
The default settings of NoMachine server Port and Protocol, 4000 and NX respectively, are suitable for the majority of set ups.

Remote access connection GUI showing no computers are available on LAN

Fig. 3 - Insert the IP address in the 'Search field' and click on 'Connect to new host'

Image of NoMachine remote access connection wizard setting the protocol

Fig. 4 - In 'Add', you can insert the IP address you wrote down earlier in Host. Provide a memorable name for your connection

If you’re an advanced NoMachine user and need to connect with a private key, smartcard authentication or other authentication means, this can be changed in Configuration.
Click 'Connect' to start the connection. Or you can click the back arrow to go back to the Machines panel.
From the Machines panel, double click to start the connection you created, or choose one of the NoMachine computers advertized on your LAN (fig. 5).

Fig. 5 - If you are in the Machines panel, double-click on a computer in the list

Login to the remote computer

You will be prompted to login. Use the credentials for your user account on the remote computer.
Click 'Login' and wait a few more seconds while NoMachine connects you to your remote desktop.

Image of logging in with remote account credentials

Fig. 6 - Insert the credentials of your remote account

You are connected! Your remote desktop is now at your fingertips.
You can now control your remote Windows, Mac or Linux desktop, open and edit files to work on documents, browse the internet, listen to your playlist, watch films, transfer some files and more.

Fig. 7 - You are in, enjoy!

Connect with NoMachine to a computer over the Internet using its public IP address

Install NoMachine on the first and second computer as you did before.
To connect to your computer over the Internet over IP, you need a system user account on the remote computer and the PC's public-facing IP address.
You also need to enable NoMachine's automatic UPnP/NAT-PMP port-mapping. Go to Server settings > Ports > Select the NX service, and click on 'Configure'. Make sure the box 'Use UPnP to map the port...' is enabled and select 'Start mode' as automatic (fig. 8).

Fig. 8 - Enable automatic UPnP/NAT-PMP port-mapping

Go back to 'Server status' to get the public-facing IP address.
NoMachine displays the computer’s public address like this: nx://151.1.192.128:29382. Take note of this network address. If a port number is not displayed next to the external IP, NoMachine has detected that you don't need it in the next phase.
If your computer's public IP is not displayed, it is likely you'll need to manually configure your router, so that the NoMachine server can be reached over the Internet. Alternatively, you can use NoMachine Network. This removes the need for knowing the public-facing IP address of your computer. See the tutorial here about how to get started with NoMachine Network.

Fig. 9 - The first Welcome panel shows the computer's public IP address

Fig. 10 - You can also check the computer’s IP address in Settings > Status

Remotely connect to one computer from the other

Open NoMachine on the device you want to connect from.
Insert the public IP address in the 'Search machines' field and click 'Connect'.

Fig. 11 - Insert the public IP address of the target machine and click 'Connect'

Or click 'Add' to create and configure a new connection.
Insert the public IP address and port information (fig. 12).

Fig. 12 - Insert the public IP address and port information when configuring a connection

Confirm the connection’s configuration by clicking 'Add'.
You are automatically taken to the Machines panel where you can find the connection file you just configured.
Start the connection by double clicking on it.
Insert the credentials for your system account on the remote host when prompted.
Click OK and wait a few seconds.
You are connected! Your remote desktop is now at your fingertips.

Fig. 13 - You are in, enjoy!

NoMachine Support

All you need to know