A remote desktop is a program that allows you to connect to a different physical computer somewhere else and interact with its desktop as if you were actually in front of that computer itself. Without getting too technical, a virtual desktop is a program running on a computer that mimics the operation of a different computer or operating system—a pretend computer if you will. It is an image of a preconfigured operating system with applications, files, etc. that is separate from the original end device or computer and is typically run via cloud or through a host server.