What's The Best Cross Platform Remote Desktop Control Software?

I've got to help a family member from here on out with their computer.
They've got Windows 7 Ultimate installed, and are basically a bit inexperienced
when it comes to making sure everything is up to date, clean, defraged, etc.
We used to both have Windows XP installed back in the day and I'd use
"Netmeeting" which comes free in Windows XP. And allows you to remotely
control the other persons desktop in a few simple steps. I'd check in on them
once a month and make sure all was in tip top shape on their end.

But now I happen to use a Macbook Pro, although I still have a working Windows
XP Pro machine too. & I was wondering if there is any simple to use software
out there where I can control their computer remotely by connecting either:

- My Macbook Mountain Lion OSX to their Windows 7 Ultimate

- Or my Windows XP Pro to their Windows 7 Ultimate

If you guys have any suggestions that would help, hopefully free software
without ads. But if we've got to pay than it's fine. I'm inexperienced when it
comes to the mass amounts of desktop sharing software out there and don't
want to get anything malicious. We also don't want anything bloated, just
the simple fact of being able to fully control their desktop from afar.


Thanks



:major

 

TeamViewer ticks all your boxes for XP/Win 7. As XP is no longer supported I'd recommend you not to use the latest version but to use version 7, and in the advanced options set it never to update itself.

I've used TV for years, you can trust it but if you or your relatives prefer not to have it installed there is a portable version you can put on a pen drive and plug it in when required.

 

I'm with Earthling on this. With versions for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS (what else is there?!), TeamViewer is the way to IMO!

 

What are the major differences between Team Viewer and Real VNC? I hear they are both free...

 

I know TeamViewer is free, and I believe VNC is free too. I can't comment on differences, as I've only ever used TV. TV seemed to meet my requirements, so I downloaded, setup, and tried it out. Everything was fine, so I kept using it. I never did get around to trying VNC, as I never had a reason to.

Download them both, give them a try, and use the one you prefer! :cool

 

I am another vote for Teamviewer is really good and regular updated too.

 

As long as its not commercial, its free, so yes, another vote for teamviewer.

Teamviewer performance > VNC performance.

Teamviewer uses a middleman to match make, so there is less configuration involved and more features.

 

Thanks guys I just ended up getting TeamViewer. I set it up on someone elses pc whom I would like to help in terms of maintenance here and there from now on. During setup I choose to "Install for remote (unattended)" use. I hope that means so I can take over from another pc far away in another city. I choose that instead of the "Basic installation" option. Does anyone know what the difference between the "Password" and "Personal Password" is when you actually launch the software?

I'm assuming the "Personal Password" is for someone like me who wishes to control the pc from afar all the time, whenever I want. & the "Password" is just a regular pass for a new person to connect to the remote pc for just a short time or one session. I hope I'm correct. Does anyone also know if you're actually allowed to install software without administrator blocks from another city in my case?

I'd like to be able to install software for the person in need. & do so even if Windows firewall blocks occur. The person I'm helping is actually still using Win XP. I would be using a Mac to control it. The unattended control supposedly allows one to use the other persons pc even once they boot it without any need for them to even launch the software. Is this really true? It seems so far fetched to me from the old days when I once used to use Netmeeting years ago. So many steps back then just to take over someones pc.

Thanks for your time guys, you have been more than helpful.

 

all your suppositions above are correct. In TV settings, you can set it to automatically launch on startup. While this is handy for YOU to access, it may also be handy for a hacker. I use TV to troubleshoot family & friends computers. Generally speaking, I don't like to access their machines unless they're sitting there watching the process, answering questions. For those folks, I'll ask them to start TV and tell me the session code. For a select few who have a computer, but probably should not have a computer, I do have it set to automatically launch on startup and I have a personal password that allows me access, even if they're not there. Sometimes it's just less of a hassle to let them know "I fixed your computer...go screw it up again!"

In a nutshell, I'd verify the following options are what you want them to be in TV settings. They should be found in Extras/Options:
- launch at startup, vs. manual startup by user
- personal password IN ADDITION to session password
- reset session password at launch

 

Hey I wanted to thank you guys for putting me on to TeamViewer. I installed it for unattended remote access on a family members pc, and have been helping them out a few times now without a glitch. I'm amazed at the functionality and seamless control it has to offer. Gone are the days when I used to use Netmeeting on XP. Haven't really done much for others since those days. But wow thank you guys a lot for the reference.

Also does anyone know if you can do audio chat on TeamViewer and how to do so while controlling someone elses pc? Would they have to accept the audio call or would it just work right away since I would be the person controlling someone elses pc? I've seen an audio function when taking control but want to know if it was to talk or just to hear their pc sounds. Otherwise I guess I'm thinking of leaving Skype open between us both so we can audio chat while I take control. I don't know how TeamViewer works fully yet which is why I ask.

Thanks