5 free programs for remote access to your computer

The listed programs allow you to monitor your PC from other computers or mobile devices via the Internet. Having access to the remote device, you can manage it as if it is nearby: change settings, run installed applications, view, edit and copy files.

In the article you will see such terms as “client” and “server”.

A client is any device (PC, tablet or smartphone), and the server is a remote computer to which it is connected.

1. Remote Assistance (Microsoft Remote Assistance)

• Which platforms can I connect to: Windows.
• From which platforms it is possible to connect: Windows.

“Remote Assistant” is a built-in Windows utility, thanks to which you can quickly connect computers to each other without third-party programs. This method does not allow you to share files. But at your service full access to a remote computer, the ability to work with another user and text chat.

Instructions for the server

1. Run the utility. To do this, type in the search for the “Remote Assistance” system. If you have Windows 10, look for MsrA on request. Right-click on the found item and select “Run as administrator”.
2. In the window that opens, click “Invite someone you trust to help”. If the system reports that the computer is not configured, click “Repair” and follow the prompts. Perhaps, after changing the settings, you will have to restart the utility.
3. When the assistant prompts you to select the invitation method, click “Save invitation as file”. Then enter its name, the storage folder and confirm the creation of the file.
4. When the file appears at the specified location, a window with a password is displayed. Copy the password and send it along with the file to the client by mail or in any other way.
5. Wait for the connection request from the client and approve it.

Instruction for the client

1. Open the file created by the server, and enter the received password. After that you will see the screen of the remote computer and you can watch it in a special window.
2. To manage files and programs of someone else’s computer, as if you are next to it, click on the “Ask Management” menu in the top menu and wait for a response from the server.

The file and the password are one-time, they will not work for the next session.

2. Remote Desktop (Microsoft Remote Desktop)

• To which platforms you can connect: Windows (only in the editions of Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate).
• From which platforms it is possible to connect: Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.

This tool is another Windows-built program designed for remote connections. From the previous one, it is distinguished primarily by the fact that the server serving the server can not be used during the connection. Its screen is automatically blocked until the end of the session.

But the client can be a Mac and even mobile devices. In addition, the connected user can copy files from a remote computer through a common clipboard.

To use Remote Desktop, you need to configure the server correctly. This will take you some time. But if you do not want to understand IP addresses and network ports, you can use other programs from this article. They are much simpler.

Instructions for the server

1. Enable the Remote Desktop feature. In Windows 10, you can do this in the “Settings” → “System” → “Remote Desktop” section. In older OS versions, this setting may be in a different location.
2. Find out your local and public IP addresses, for example, using the 2IP service. If the client device is managed by another person, tell him the public IP, as well as the login and password from his Windows account.
3. Configure the router to redirect ports (port forwarding or port forwarding). This feature allows you to access your computer for other devices via the Internet. The configuration process on different routers is different, the instruction for your model can be found on the manufacturer’s website.

In general, the actions are as follows. You go into a special section of the settings of the router and create a virtual server, prescribing in its parameters a local IP address and port 3389.

Opening access to the computer through port forwarding creates new loopholes for network attacks. If you are afraid of interference by intruders, think again about whether this method should be used.

Instruction for the client

1. Type in the search for the “Connect to Remote Desktop” system and run the found utility. Or press the Win + R keys, enter the command mstsc and press Enter.
2. In the window that opens, enter the public IP address of the computer that is acting as the server. Then specify the login and password from his Windows account.

After that, you get full control over the desktop of the remote computer.

4. TeamViewer

• To which platforms you can connect: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS.
• From which platforms it is possible to connect: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS.

TeamViewer can be called one of the most famous programs for creating remote connections. Its popularity is due to the support of multiple platforms, ease of use and the number of functions. Among other things, the program allows you to record sessions on video, communicate to participants in voice and text chat rooms and open remote access only to selected applications.

To connect two devices, you need to generate an ID and password on the server and enter them on the client side. TeamViewer has a very friendly interface with an abundance of hints, so it’s very easy to master it.

You can install the full version of the program or use its portable version of QuickSupport. The latter does not need to be installed, but it does not support all the features of TeamViewer. In addition, the list of available program functions varies depending on the platforms used.