Remote Software where No Security Code or Clicking Allow is needed?

February 23, 2020 10:44 AM

Remote Control Software where the End User does NOT have to provide a Security Code or Click Allow before I can assist them?

Recently my 85 year old father has lost the ability to do really basic things on his Windows computer. He will call and tell me his PC is on and he can see the screen but he can't do anything. One time I drove over and had to move his mouse and then everything sprang to life.

Before I make the 20 mile drive I would like to try and assist him remotely. Normally with Remote Assistance programs the end user has to provide a security code and/or click the Allow button for the remote party to get in. I don't want that.

I would like a piece of software where I can get in to his PC (assuming it's on and at a logon screen) where I can get in no matter what weird predicaments he has gotten himself into. Obviously I don't mind setting up a user account (with password) on his end for security purposes that I can use but I really need to be able to get in without any interaction on his part.

I've considered setting up VNC server on his end and port forwarding from this router. I can do that if needed but I was hoping there was a more obvious solution that I had not considered.

Is there any software or solution that can do this that you are aware of? I appreciate your answers!

posted by dgeiser13 to Computers & Internet (10 answers total)

Best answer: Chrome Remote Desktop is pretty seamless. TeamViewer also has a host-only app, but CRD is really reliable for me.
posted by jmfitch at 11:08 AM on February 23, 2020 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Splashtop works pretty well for this. I use it to access colleagues' PCs remotely to install software etc. It also has an option to bypass the login screen.
posted by pipeski at 11:30 AM on February 23, 2020

Best answer: I used TeamViewer for the very purpose your describe. It works well. Another option (one that we use at work) is AnyDesk, which is similar to TeamViewer but perhaps a bit less polished. Both applications are free for personal use.
posted by alex1965 at 1:13 PM on February 23, 2020

Best answer: I tried to setup AnyDesk, for this exact same purpose, on my mother’s new Chromebook. It did allow me to set it up to allow a remote connection without user interaction on the far end, but some other basic / key issue kept it from being useable. Like, I could move the mouse pointer, but not actually click on anything.
posted by armoir from antproof case at 3:14 PM on February 23, 2020

Best answer: I used to use TeamViewer for this, but they decided (after small amounts of use going over years) that I was a business account and started limiting me to 2 minute sessions unless I paid. I definitely am not a business account and was just using it to help my folks. There was no appealing it.

It was dramatic but I got everyone switched over to AnyDesk. Very happy, and happy to not be constantly nagged by TV.
posted by getawaysticks at 5:55 PM on February 23, 2020

Best answer: Another vote for Chrome Remote Desktop. Years ago I used it to log into my own computer while at another location. It is possible you can even wake it up this way if you play around with the settings.
posted by soelo at 6:47 PM on February 23, 2020

Best answer: VNC is also no-end-user-input friendly; you need to have a password to connect TO it, but as long as the computer is on and the VNC service is running (and you have a port through the firewall), you can connect to the computer at any time.
posted by AzraelBrown at 5:44 AM on February 24, 2020

Best answer: I have used my work computer remotely via Windows Remote Desktop. It's as easy as you want, but the disadvantage is the remote machine will go dark; it sends the display over the internet to you and turns off the local displays while you're logged in. It's also only available on Windows Professional. But if neither of those facts is a dealbreaker then you're already set up to do what you'd like.
posted by dbx at 5:52 AM on February 24, 2020

Response by poster: Thanks for the answers, all. Currently exploring all of these. I appreciate the recommendations!
posted by dgeiser13 at 10:34 PM on February 24, 2020

Best answer: I prefer NoMachine as a remote access as I find they update regularly and the codec and performance are better than anything I've tried.

Once you setup the server and connect via username/password you have complete access to the other side; hopefully that helps in your search.
posted by Khazk at 1:39 PM on February 25, 2020