Comments on: Any free or low cost options for Remote Desktop software?

Question: Any free or low cost options for Remote Desktop software?

randomthoughts — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:30:55 -0800

Are there any free or low cost options for having a Remote Desktop tool for Windows Vista Home Premium?

I would like feature similar to Microsoft Remote Desktop but if the software and file transfer it would be great.

By: burnmp3s

burnmp3s — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:36:07 -0800

Wikipedia has a comparison page for all of the major ones. I use TightVNC myself.

By: pocams

pocams — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:36:53 -0800

UltraVNC is free and supports Vista with file transfer. I use it every day and it works pretty well - the reliability is only good, but it serves its purpose.

By: sinfony

sinfony — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:40:18 -0800

I'll second TightVNC. If you're actually going to use it remotely (as in, not just from another computer on your local network), you may want to look into using it over a secure tunnel.

By: csimpkins

csimpkins — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:42:37 -0800

logmein offers a free 'home' version that works really well.

By: blue_beetle

blue_beetle — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:44:20 -0800

How about using Remote Desktop?

By: Richat

Richat — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:45:56 -0800

Seconding logmein.com - It has been a real asset for me, even in it's free version, with remote machines that I "support".

By: zennoshinjou

zennoshinjou — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:47:26 -0800

If you must use VNC I third TightVNC. I recommend blue_beetle's linked trick though, RDP is superior for this where windows is concerned.

By: boyinmiami

boyinmiami — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:10:36 -0800

i use Remote Desktop while on vaca and works great!

By: mccarty.tim

mccarty.tim — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:51:31 -0800

IP can be a tough issue with those VNC programs, if you don't have a static IP (chances are, you don't). I tend to use TightVNC or UltraVNC, so I have nothing new to contribute there. DynDNS.com or no-ip.com can get you an easy-to-remember URL to access your computer even when your ISP changes your IP.

By: dripped

dripped — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:21:45 -0800

logmein is free, and works great. Couple of clicks, and you are in, all web based.

By: techweaver.org

techweaver.org — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:46:10 -0800

Windows Live Mesh is an easy way to setup remote access to Vista and XP systems. Plus, you can sync directories remotely if you want.

By: mccarty.tim

mccarty.tim — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:09:30 -0800

Should mention this: I think TightVNC and UltraVNC both have Java based web clients, should you want to access your computer(s) from a machine with no VNC software.

By: mattr

mattr — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:12:35 -0800

Seconded on Live Mesh - easy to use and includes 5 gigs of space in the cloud you can store files for access anywhere.