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Aron Rotteveel
Asked: 2009-05-01 00:48:46 +0800 CST

Best Windows remote support / screen sharing tools?

  • 772

What are the most commonly used remote support / screen sharing tools available?

How do they compare, both price- as functionality wise?

windows remote-access

27 Answers

  1. Best Answer

    Free

    • Remote Desktop/Terminal Services
      • [+] fast, nothing to install, traps Windows key, doesn't require both parties to connect
      • [-] kicks off the user, more effort required to make available outside of network
    • LogMeIn Free
      • [+] fast, traps Windows key, doesn't require both parties to connect, doesn't kick off user, easy to connect from internet
      • [-] requires install
    • CoPilot (free on weekends)
      • [+] decent performance, excellent setup/connect experience
      • [-] performance not as good as above, only free on weekends
    • ShowMyPC
      • [+] no install, can access over the internet with no configuration in most cases
      • [-] poor performance, difficult setup/connect experience compared to others
    • Crossloop.com
      • [+] Scott likes it
      • [-] I've never used it, so I don't know much about it

    For me, if I can install, I use LogMeIn. I use the Window key frequently (Win+E, Win+R, Win+M, Win+Pause, etc) when troubleshooting, so when I lose that key on the remote system, it's a pain. I like the fact that LogMeIn traps that.

    When I can't install, I use CoPilot on weekends, and ShowMyPC otherwise. I'll have to look into Crossloop now..

    Not Free

    If you're paying for it, I've used LogMeIn (Rescue for no-install, Pro for install) and I've found it quite good. One thing the pay-versions have that the free ones don't (as far as I know) is an easy way to copy files from local to remote, and to print across machines as well.

    This Wikipedia article might help.

    • 21

  2. UltraVNC

    Key features: File transfer, Video driver, Optional Encryption Plugins, MS Logon, Text chat, Viewer Toolbar, Java Viewer with File Transfer , as well as Auto scaling and Server Side Scaling, Multiple-Monitors-support,Repeater/Proxy-support, Auto reconnection, good performances and tons of other functionalities.

    Addons: Repeater , SingleClick generator and NATtoNAT connectors , that help you to easily handle the most complex connection situations.

    UltraVNC runs under Windows operating systems (95, 98, Me, NT4, 2000, XP, 2003...). Its embedded Java Viewer allows you to connect (and make File transfers) from a simple Web Browser on any Operating system supporting Java (Linux, Mac OS...) to an UltraVNC server.

    UltraVNC SC (SingleClick) is a customizable mini UltraVNC server for download. This is very convenient for help desk support because the customer doesn't need any preinstalled remote control software. Just have him or her download UltraVNC SC and start remote controlling. At the end of the remote control session UltraVNC SC deinstalls itself and leaves the computer without additional software.

    • 17

  3. In our company we use TeamViewer and we're very happy with it. No client installation, just a small-footprint download for the client.

    We use it for customer support, but also for training and teamwork.

    • 16

  4. I use Crossloop.com - Free Service, works over NAT, VNC at the core for quick stuff.

    For sharing screens to up to 16 people, I use http://www.sharedview.com. Also free and lets you send links to sessions in email.

    • 8

  5. The best one is RDP. I've tried to use others (mainly VNC variants, including UltraVNC) in some harsh conditions (small bandwidth / high latency) and RDP was the only one which could handle it. And it is already built-in :-)

    • 4

  6. I used to use VNC single-click and variants thereof, but the presentation and execution was a little rough around the edges.

    Lately I've found "GoToAssist Express" to work like a charm - easy, clean, professional install for the user's end (which is especially helpful for making a good impression on people outside your own organization) and it works on pretty much every Windows version (and it also works for Macs!). It also has "unattended" support, which is sort of like Remote Desktop or GoToMyPC.

    Advantages: works really, really well under lots of different PC/Mac configurations; really fast, useful features for remote tech support (file transfer, diagnostic info, reboot & reconnect, multi-monitor support, etc.)

    Disadvantages: no Linux support (that I know of... yet) and of course, you have to pay for it... ;-)

    • 3

  7. Servers:

    • if screen sharing is specific requirement: VNC (free)
    • otherwise terminal services is good for remote support (free - for windows, includes ability to map local drives to the remote machine)

    For connecting to users: Co-Pilot (free during some times, cost is dependant on how the connection is established - great for getting around firewall issues. easy to use for users)

    • 2

  8. Just for completeness - I made good experiences using TightVNC. It's free, lightweight and available for Windows and Unix.

    • 2

  9. My two favourites are Copilot and WebEx, which is more of a conference tool but the desktop sharing feature is phenomenal and I have used it purely for remote support purposes. Both are subscription-based.

    For a free alternative I have also had good results with good old Remote Assistance via Windows Live Messenger for the occasional help-the-family-member support "emergency".

    • 2

  10. For connecting to servers:

    • Terminal Services (without screen-sharing)
    • Any VNC variant (with screen-sharing)

    For connecting to users:
    I have experience with different applications:

    At work I use Netviewer One2Meet, actually works very well for screen-sharing/collaboration purposes. One of their nicer features are that it works well with dual-screen setups (drag the vieuwer-icon to another screen to show that screen) and that it works both-ways if you want it to.

    At home I usually use LogMeIn since it works from within a web-browser and allows me to log in to my pc at home from everywhere without any hassle.

    • 1