Best free remote access
More free remote access options
Subscriber Erik Santucci writes:
"Gizmo I have used your suggestion TeamViewer [1] myself, but I often have found it necessary to get the person at the other end to install DynGate [2] on their machine in order for TeamViewer to pass through the user's firewall. DynGate free has a five-minute time limit, so it's not good for a whole lot.
Personally, I mostly use ShowMyPC [3]. There's no installation involved, and it allows an hour-long session. If I'm doing real work on the machine at the other end, ShowMyPC gives me plenty of time to install LogMeIn [4]. Even the free version of LogMeIn allows you to connect to unlimited machines, for unlimited periods of time.
The only thing it lacks is a "start with Windows" feature, which is simple enough to get around. I just open Scott's Windows Startup Program Manager, and create a run key in local machine for LogMeIn.exe. Voila! Now, anytime they call for help, they don't have to do anything except switch their machine on. Often enough, nobody ever needs to call me back."
Erik's suggestion is a good example of how techies often need to employ multiple tools to solve problems when there is no complete solution available.
ShowMyPC can be launched without user intervention but the free version is limited to one hour's use. LogMeIn is not time limited but requires user intervention to be launched. Erik uses ShowMyPC to bootstrap into LogMeIn thus getting remote access that requires no user intervention and is not time limited. Nice work Erik.
Mind you the free version of LogMeIn has its own limitations: it does not support remote file transfer or offer remote printing.
[1] TeamViewer: http://www.teamviewer.com/index.aspx[2] DynGate: http://www.teamviewer.com/download/dyngate.aspx
[3] ShowMyPC: http://showmypc.com/
[4] LogMeIn: https://secure.logmein.com/products/free/
Free remote access software offers simplicity
Subscriber Joel Futch is one of several subscribers who have written to me in glowing terms about the remote access program TeamViewer. Here's what Joe said:
"Gizmo, I really wanted to make sure you knew about TeamViewer. This free service has proved to be great for remote support and file transfer; the best I have found in fact.
I have used it to remote into many a relative's machine across the country to assist with issues, and it auto bypasses any firewalls that might block, once they are logged into the free web based service. I usually send a link to the download page, via email, and walk them through the steps to get the program installed. It has proven a simple enough task to explain even to extremely technically challenged people.
You can also log into the service from a home or business computer in the morning, write down your password, and then access that machine later from another location using the information. Not the greatest for this purpose, but good for the average user who doesn't know much about port forwarding etc, and does not want to have to pay for this sort of service. Also good for transferring large files from one computer to the next."
This is a fine product that performed well when I tested it. I particularly liked the fact that it's based on the same http protocol used by web browsers, so it should present few problems when installed behind routers and firewalls. I also liked the fact that it uses a safe SSL connection, which means your connection is encrypted end to end. On the downside, it's only free for non- commercial use. Freeware, all Windows versions, 1.29MB.
[1] http://www.teamviewer.comFree remote control utility offers ease of use
I'm impressed with CrossLoop. It's the easiest way yet to remotely control a distant PC. Before you get your hopes up, let me say that it is no substitute for products like LogMeIn or PCAnywhere, both of which allow you to login to a remote PC without anyone in attendance. By contrast, CrossLoop absolutely requires someone at the other end. If you can live with that limitation, CrossLoop may just what you have been looking for. It works like this: The user on the remote PC runs CrossLoop and generates a random 12 digit key which they send to you by email, phone, whatever. You plug this key into a copy of CrossLoop running on your own PC and request a connection with the remote. If the remote user accepts the connection you then can take control of the remote PC and operate it through your keyboard and screen. At all times the user at the remote sees on his screen exactly what is happening. That's pretty much standard remote computing, but it is the ease of use that makes CrossLoop different. No complex commands or firewall configuration are needed, just the ability to follow simple on-screen instructions. CrossLoop is really a smart front-end to the open source utility TightVNC. It supports 128 bit Blowfish encrypted connections and unlike the free version of LogMeIn, allows for two-way file transfers between the client and host PCs. Unlike Windows Remote Desktop, it will run on any PC from Windows 98 onwards. Just the thing for helping a friend with a PC problem, remote support or remote user training. Thanks to subscriber Mike Pasternack for the suggestion. Freeware, Windows 98 and later, 2.28MB
http://www.crossloop.com