KRDCLinux
vs
Microsoft Remote DesktopWindows
KRDC as a Linux alternative to Microsoft Remote Desktop
Updated
Our verdict
KRDC is a solid replacement for Microsoft Remote Desktop for Linux users who need to connect to Windows machines via RDP. It covers most everyday tasks: connecting, full‑screen mode, keyboard/mouse integration, and encryption. It is ideal for KDE users who want a native, open‑source client. However, it lacks some advanced features that Windows users might expect, such as multi‑session handling and built‑in file transfer. Overall, KRDC works well for standard remote‑desktop use cases.
- License
- GPL-2.0+
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 26.04.3 (July 2, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both use the RDP protocol to connect to Windows machines
- Support full‑screen and windowed display modes
- Provide keyboard and mouse integration
- Encrypt connections (TLS for KRDC, optional in Microsoft Remote Desktop)
- Allow remote control of the desktop
What is different
- KRDC does not support simultaneous multiple RDP sessions from a single client
- No native file‑transfer feature (VNC can be used but requires separate setup)
- KRDC lacks the Windows‑specific authentication options like NTLM/kerberos integration out of the box
- No built‑in clipboard sync between local and remote
- KRDC is KDE‑centric and may not integrate with non‑KDE desktop environments as tightly as Microsoft Remote Desktop does in Windows
Opening your Microsoft Remote Desktop files
Microsoft Remote Desktop does not use a standard file format that KRDC can import or export. Users cannot directly open or export connection files from the Windows client into KRDC. Connection details must be entered manually or saved as bookmarks within KRDC.
Switching from Microsoft Remote Desktop to KRDC, step by step
- Open KRDC from the application menu.
- Select "New Connection" and choose "Remote Desktop (RDP)".
- Enter the Windows machine’s IP address or hostname, and provide credentials (use KDE Wallet if desired).
- Click "Connect" to establish the session. If needed, enable full‑screen or adjust scaling from the view menu.
Key features of KRDC
- Supports both RDP and VNC protocols
- KDE‑styled graphical interface
- Bookmark management for frequent connections
- Full-screen and windowed modes
- Keyboard shortcut support (Ctrl+Alt+Shift for remote input)
- Dynamic scaling of remote display
- TLS encryption for RDP sessions
- Integration with KDE Wallet for password storage
How to install KRDC on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.kde.krdcsudo apt install krdcsudo apt install krdcsudo dnf install krdcsudo pacman -S krdcsudo zypper install krdcFrequently asked questions
Does KRDC support file transfer?
KRDC itself does not provide a built‑in file‑transfer feature. You can use a separate tool like WinSCP or an SFTP client to transfer files to/from the remote Windows machine.
Can I use KRDC on a non‑KDE desktop?
Yes. KRDC runs on any Linux desktop that has the required dependencies, but its appearance and some integration features are optimized for KDE.
Is KRDC free?
KRDC is released under the GPL‑2.0+ license and is available in major Linux distributions free of charge.
4 other alternatives to Microsoft Remote Desktop
RemminaRemmina is a Linux remote desktop client supporting RDP, VNC, SSH, and X2Go for connecting to remote systems…Open sourceFreeFlatpakRemmina vs Microsoft Remote DesktopFreeRDPFreeRDP is an open-source implementation of the Remote Desktop Protocol, allowing you to connect to Windows…Open sourceFreeFreeRDP vs Microsoft Remote Desktoprdesktoprdesktop is a free, open‑source client that lets Linux users connect to Windows Remote Desktop sessions via…rdesktop vs Microsoft Remote Desktop
VinagreVinagre is a GNOME remote‑desktop viewer for VNC, RDP, SSH and SPICE, now discontinued.Open sourceFreeDiscontinuedVinagre vs Microsoft Remote Desktop