Remote control of computer software

Either take it in to best buy and pay an absurd amount or just flash a new copy of windows 10 yourself. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Sign in. Forgot your password? Get help. Privacy Policy. Password recovery. Tech Viral. Home How to. Contents show. Remote support software allows you to access and control any device from a remote location. It is primarily used by IT support technicians to resolve the issues faced by end-users.

A typical example is a seller of computer systems offering post-sales remote technical support to customers, or an internal IT team remotely configuring the devices of a geographically dispersed workforce. The core functionality of remote support tools is gaining control and access of the remote device. Support technicians typically perform the following functions using these tools:.

Besides remote control and access, these solutions offer a range of features that come in handy when conducting remote support sessions.

Here's a list of the most common functionalities:. Before you invest in a remote support solution, you should evaluate and understand your business needs. Below are the three categories of buyers and what they should take into consideration when purchasing a remote support tool.

Enterprise buyers: Large organizations should ideally go for feature-rich tools that are flexible in terms of functionality and offer integrations with third-party tools. In this regard, plugins and software bundles become important as this allows users to expand the tool's functionality. For instance, a common tool that comes bundled with remote support solutions is network monitoring software , which is an important solution for organizations with large internal networks LAN and server systems that need close monitoring.

In addition, it's essential that the remote solution integrates with third-party tools such as CRM software , project management solutions , ticketing systems and other solutions that your organization is currently using. This ensures that there are no hassles, while importing or exporting data between these different systems.

Growing and small business buyers: The choice for SMBs is not so straightforward when it comes to purchasing the ideal remote software solution.

Here are some things to keep in mind, while buying one:. Best-of-breed buyers: Remote support software can also be used for other purposes than technical support. For instance, you can use it as a tool to remotely access and use an application installed in a different device. Likewise, you can create online video presentations, conduct online meetings and much more.

There are many remote support applications which focus on such niche use cases. Remember to compare the functionalities of different solutions before you make your decision.

Software Advice uses reviews from real software users to highlight the top-rated Remote Support Software products in North America. Get Advice. Other Software. GoToAssist GoToAssist is a cloud-based remote support, service desk, and mobile device support solution. Visit Website Learn More. ConnectWise Control FrontRunners ConnectWise Control is cloud-based operations management solution that allows technicians to perform remote support, gain remote access and run remote meetings.

Freshdesk Freshdesk simplifies customer support by centralizing all customer interactions into a single, affordable, Web-based solution. Atera Atera is a cloud-based end-to-end IT management software solution geared to small to midsize businesses in the IT sector.

Pulseway FrontRunners Pulseway is an integrated IT assets and network monitoring solution designed for IT administrators to remotely monitor and control their business IT resources. Take Control N-able Take Control and Take Control Plus are cloud-based remote control solutions built for MSPs and IT service businesses that need to securely access and troubleshoot end devices quickly with fast, powerful tech tools. Remote Support and Meetings Remote Support and Meetings is a cloud-based remote support platform that allows users to conduct online training, meetings and demonstrations.

TurboMeeting TurboMeeting is a collaboration solution that provides real-time applications including web conferencing, remote support, audio conferencing, video conferencing, remote access and webinar support. ISL Light FrontRunners ISL Online is a remote support solution for virtually all industry verticals including healthcare, information technology, universities, government, and banks.

RemoteToPC RemoteToPC is a remote access management solution that helps IT organizations of all sizes monitor applications and devices to provide support services and training to clients. RemoteCall RemoteCall is a remote support solution that helps businesses streamline processes related to screen capturing, remote reboot, file sharing, and more from within a unified platform. Acquire Acquire is a real time customer engagement platform that provides all your sales and support in one widget with live chat, email, video calling, SMS, chatbots, cobrowse and screen share.

You can turn on your PC from halfway around the world! How, you ask? Remote desktop software lets you access your computer and all its applications over the Internet using another device, essentially by streaming a feed of your desktop. This works from a tablet or phone, even over a cellular data network.

Be sure to set up TeamViewer for unattended access! Parallels Access is another good, polished alternative. That's it! If the host installed the program, the setup procedure is a little more involved. Make a user account through the link below it's totally free , and then add a new agent to your account.

Give the code to the host during the program installation. DWService has a handful of tools. They let you create all sorts of text-based files; browse through the file system to make, edit, or remove files, and upload or download files to and from the host; run Command Prompt commands; view basic system information, shut down tasks, and start or turn off services. Chrome Remote Desktop is an extension for the Chrome browser that lets you set up a computer for remote access.

The way this works is that you install the extension to either get a random code you can share with someone else for spontaneous support get that code here , or a PIN that you can use to get on the computer at any time from your own Google account. To connect to the host browser, sign on to Chrome Remote Desktop through another web browser using the same Google credentials or using a temporary access code generated by the host computer. Because you're logged in, you can easily see the other PC name, from where you can simply choose it and begin the remote session.

There isn't a chat function like you see with similar programs, but it's very easy to configure and lets you connect to your computer or anyone's from anywhere using just your web browser. What's more is that you can remote into the computer when the user doesn't have Chrome open, or even when they're completely logged out of their user account. Since it runs entirely within Chrome, it can work with any operating system that uses that browser, including Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chromebooks.

For a simple tool with some great features, you might consider the free remote access service Getscreen. If you need to quickly get into someone's computer without messing around with logins or installations, this is what you're after.

There's file sharing, a built-in chat window, buttons for common keyboard shortcuts e. The computer that will be connected to needs to download and open the software. Installation is not required, but it can be fully installed if this computer will need to be accessed remotely permanently. There are two ways to get the client connected. One is to log in to the client's user account with their email and password, a great option if they'll be getting into this computer a lot.

The other way to use Getscreen. With this anonymous session, whoever you give the link to will have access to your computer without needing a password. This is perfect for spontaneous technical support, but know that the connection time is limited when the program is used anonymously like this.

There are a couple of ways to access the remote computer. If you logged in to your account in the host program, then you have permanent access which means you can visit the link below to log in to the same account in a web browser to access the other computer. Another way is if the host didn't log in to the account. The host can provide a URL that you can open from your device to automatically have access to the remote PC without needing your account information.

Free users are faced with a few limitations that can be lifted only if you pay: just two computers can be linked to your account at once and file transfers are limited to 50 MB per file. It works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can control the computer from any device with a web browser or through the dedicated Android app. Windows Remote Desktop is the remote access software built into the Windows operating system. No additional download is necessary to use the program.

To enable connections to a computer with Windows Remote Desktop, you must open the System Properties settings accessible via Settings W11 or Control Panel and allow remote connections via a particular Windows user. You do have to set up your router for port forwarding so another PC can connection to it from outside the network, but this is usually not that big of a hassle to complete. The other computer that wishes to connect to the host machine must simply open the already installed Remote Desktop Connection software and enter the IP address of the host.

Most of the other software in this list have features that Windows Remote Desktop doesn't, but this method of remote access seems to be the most natural and easiest way to control the mouse and keyboard of a remote Windows PC. Once you have everything configured, you can transfer files, print to a local printer, listen to audio from the remote PC, and transfer clipboard content. However, while all versions of Windows can connect to other computers that have incoming connections enabled, not all Windows versions can act as a host i.

If you're using a Home Premium version or below, your computer can only act as a client and therefore cannot be accessed remotely but it can still access other computers remotely. Incoming remote access is only allowed on Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate versions of Windows. In those editions, others can remote into the computer as described above. Something else to remember is that Remote Desktop will kick a user off if they're logged in when someone connects to that user's account remotely.

This is vastly different from every other program in this list—all the others can remote in to a user account while the user is still actively using the computer. UltraVNC works a bit like Remote Utilities, where a server and viewer is installed on two PCs, and the viewer is used to control the server.

At installation, you're asked if you wish to install the Server , Viewer , or both. Install the Server on the PC you wish to connect to. You can install Server as a system service so it's always running. This is the ideal option so you can always make a connection to it with the client software.

To make a connection with the Server , you must install the Viewer portion during setup. After configuring port forwarding in your router, you'll be able to access the host computer from anywhere with an internet connection—either via a mobile device that supports VNC connections, a PC with the Viewer installed, or an internet browser. All you need is the Server's IP address to make the connection.

UltraVNC supports file transfers, text chat, clipboard sharing, and can even boot and connect to the server in Safe Mode. The download page is a little confusing—first select the most recent version of the software, and then choose the bit or bit setup file that will work with your edition of Windows. Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7 users can install and use this software. This is another completely portable remote access program.

The computer that will be controlled by the client simply needs to share their ID and password with the other computer. For the computer that will be performing the remote access, press Connect and enter the host's ID and password.

The tabs at the top of the program let you open multiple connections at once. Once you're connected to the other computer, you can send files to and from them and communicate over text or using your voice.