Windows remote control of PC

[Crackle]

As I'm a kind hearted person, no really I am. I have become default IT support to some of the older dog walkers I meet. Most stuff takes seconds to fix but I normally have to go around and do it because 1) I do and 2) They often can't explain what's happening so i have to see it. I would be a lot easier though to just connect and fix it.

So how easy is it to set up, having never done it, how reliable, will it work through different routers and windows firewalls and anything else I haven't thought of?

 

[JtB]

I use TeamViewer to provide remote support for my Dad. Really easy to install and use both ends.

 

[4F]

We do it at work through teamviewer which is easy enough to. Free for personal use

They would need to open teamviewer on their PC (1 click once downloaded) and give you the ID number and password and it is then straightforward to connect

 

[Sea of vapours]

Another vote for Teamviewer, which I use to maintain my mother's machine and a few other remote devices. Depending on how you set it up then there isn't a requirement for the owner of the target machine to do anything each time you connect, though you, or they, might want to set it up that way for security reasons.

It's very reliable in my experience (about a year or so with this particular service). Easy to set up; definitely. And yes, 'normal firewall and router considerations apply', but enabling access has been straightforward in all cases in which I've used it so far.

 

[accountantpete]

Google ssh - you need to install ssh into both pc's and configure the router.

 

[Markymark]

Agree with all the above. You need teamviewer.

 

[mjr]

Use VNC and configure your router to allow it to your PC, then start your viewer in "listen" mode and get the supported user to connect to you - they shouldn't need to change their router to do that. No-one should trust teamviewer or any other solution that goes through a third-party.

 

[ianrauk]

Yup, Teamviewer user here too.
Easy to use and works very well.

 

[drummerbod]

Teamviewer is by far the easiest.

 

[cd365]

Another vote for Teamviewer here

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Reminder to self --- Must buy shares in Teamviewer

 

[slowmotion]

I had a problem installing some anti-virus stuff from Symantec a few years ago. Their help line suggested that they take remote control of my PC to delve into its tripes. Two hours later, it was completely and utterly dead. I lost all the un-backed up stuff on the hard disk and had to re-install the OS from scratch. I don't let outsiders p#ss about with my PC these days, even "experts".

 

[Crackle]

I had a problem installing some anti-virus stuff from Symantec a few years ago. Their help line suggested that they take remote control of my PC to delve into its tripes. Two hours later, it was completely and utterly dead. I lost all the un-backed up stuff on the hard disk and had to re-install the OS from scratch. I don't let outsiders p#ss about with my PC these days, even "experts".

I'll take you off my dog walker list then.

 

[Crackle]

Use VNC and configure your router to allow it to your PC, then start your viewer in "listen" mode and get the supported user to connect to you - they shouldn't need to change their router to do that. No-one should trust teamviewer or any other solution that goes through a third-party.

VNC had occurred to me, it's not without it's occasional problems though and I didn't realize teamviewer was 3rd party hosted. Doesn't necessarily exclude it but I'll need to check it out.

I would prefer my end user need do nothing besides grant me permission. I cannot emphasise enough, just how low tech they are.

 

[drummerbod]

VNC is not the answer then. Unless you register with a DNS provider you would have to get the user to provide their WAN IP. You would have to setup the PC on a static IP and put in port forwarding rule on the router.