Are you looking to connect to a remote device but you don't know where to begin? Starting your first remote desktop session using a remote access solution is simpler than you think. There are plenty of tools you can choose from in the market, so takinga free trial first can help you test the features to see whether the software you are considering meets your needs. Try VNC® Connect:Instantly connect and securely control your computers from any device. Simple, fast and powerful remote access and support software. Here's how you can start your first remote desktop session in 4 easy steps: The first consideration you need to make is what kind of devices you need to connect to. Are you planning on using the solution to connect to multiple remote devices and different platforms? if that's the case, the first thing you need to do is to check whether the software supports multiple platforms, such as Windows, Mac, Linux or Raspberry Pi. Once you have selected your remote access software and you're confident that it supports all the relevant platforms, you should download and install the remote desktop software on to the computer you want to connect to. This computer is usually called a server or client. Then, download it on the computer or mobile device that you want to connect from, which is commonly known as the viewer. Open the app on the device you are connecting from. This could be any devices like a desktop or PC, a Mac computer, an Android phone, an iPhone or a tablet or a Raspberry Pi.. Now you can instantly connect to the remote device you want to connect to. Some software lets you connect to either attended or unattended devices, as long as the remote computer isn’t shut down. Connecting to “attended” devices means someone has to be in front of the device you’d like to control to accept your prompts, while “unattended” means that there is no need for somebody to be present and you can remote into it any time. If you are using VNC Connect, as your remote access solution of choice, we have specific instructions that you can follow to get started. Remote access is the act of establishing a connection from a device or computer in one location to view or control another device in a different location. Remote access software gives you the power to control your computers and equipment from anywhere with any device. Read: All you need to know about VNC remote access technology How does remote access work? Remote access allows a user to connect to another computer in a different physical setting – either via the Internet (cloud connectivity) or via a direct network (a LAN, short for Local Area Network, or a WAN, short for Wide Area Network). The person using the remote viewer can do almost anything they could do were they sitting in front of the controlled computer. This includes application-specific tasks, accessing files and software, and running upgrades (provided they have adequate permissions). If you are connecting via a direct connection, this process is different. Read more about the differences between cloud vs direct remote access connections. Security is a critical requirement for any software, but even more so for programs that enable remote connections to other devices. Many critical industries rely on remote solutions - from managing satellites and sealed scientific laboratories to aircraft-carriers and even submarines. Multi-factor authentication, 256-bit AES encryption, password protection and granular access control are critical and standard security requirements for remote desktop solutions, in addition to cloud vs direct connectivity considerations. You also need to think about whether your remote access solution needs to enable compliance to industry standards, such as GDPR, PCI-DSS or HIPAA, which is very common in sectors such as finance or healthcare. Below are some more in-depth guides on all the essential aspects of remote access security: Free guide: Remote Access Security Checklist. Blog: All you need to know about remote desktop encryption. There are numerous benefits for both individuals and businesses when it comes to remote connectivity solutions. For example, a remote access software allows your employees to connect to their work devices from home on while on the road, and your IT department or helpdesk to remotely support staff and clients whenever they need assistance. Read more about the business benefits of remote access. Essential features of remote desktop software While use cases can vary widely, there are the most common and critical user requirements for remote screen-sharing software are: Remote control software can have many different applications. IT helpdesk and tech support teams often use remote software tools to connect remotely to an office computer to see the screen, in order to resolve a technical issue, and/or to control the remote device. Similarly, remote office workers and students can securely access, transfer, and print files, connect to a desktop, phone, tablet, or application from any location and without the need for a VPN connection. There are also many real world examples of healthcare providers using remote access to monitor medical equipment remotely, or to access patients' records while self-isolating during the coronavirus pandemic. Whenconsidering remote access technologyyou should start by defining the use cases necessary to meet your business requirements. Will it be used to enable remote working? Will it be only the IT team remotely accessing system resources, or teams from other departments too? You may want to ensure the solution you choose is able to support the maximum number of potential use cases in the future. When it comes to remote access, you can either pre-install the software on computers you want to control, or connect ‘just in time’ using a disposable, zero-footprint app. Some business use cases mandate that you must specifically use one of these methods; for others, it’s possible to use either option. Pre-installed remote access enables a wide range of use cases become possible. It allows for either attended or unattended access, and can connect any time either to your own computers or to those of employees or friends. See: VNC Connect Device Access If you don’t own or manage the computers you want to control, then it may not be possible to install remote access software in advance. Products that only support on-demand access excel at a single use case: the IT technician offering technical support during office hours. But in this case, unattended access and direct connectivity are typically not possible. See: VNC Connect Instant Support VNC® Connect is widely used by educational institutions and charities - from supporting internal IT systems to helping visually impaired students in the classroom. Read more about how these institutions can take advantage of remote access in education. There are numerous remote access and support solutions on the market, offering various features and benefits. Visit our remote access competitor comparison page to view information about the commercial differences between the various offerings. Most remote desktop solutions should provide pc to pc remote access and support at least Windows, Linux or macOS, while others will include additional compatibility like Raspberry Pi, Android, iOS or legacy platforms. Choose the solution that best works for your needs. Please note that if your use case requires being able to access or support different platforms, a VNC-based remote desktop tool is preferable to RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) You can try VNC Connect remote access software for free for 30 days.Need an ultra-secure, simple and fast remote desktop tool?
Take a 30-day free trial
1. Check platform compatibility
2. Download the required software
3. Open the app on your viewer
4. Connect to the remote device
Read our 'getting started' guides on using VNC Connect:
Watch: how to get started with your first remote access screen sharing session
What is remote access?
Security considerations for remote access software
Benefits of remote access for businesses
Use cases and examples of screen sharing software
Choosing the best solution
Installed VS on-demand access
Education and remote support
Remote desktop solution providers
Operating system compatibility
FAQs
Can a computer be accessed remotely? ›
Remote computer access requires a reliable internet connection. You'll need to activate or install software on the device you want to access, as well as on the device — or devices — you want to use to get that access.
How do I enable remote access to another computer? ›- On the device you want to connect to, select Start and then click the Settings icon on the left.
- Select the System group followed by the Remote Desktop item.
- Use the slider to enable Remote Desktop.
- It is also recommended to keep the PC awake and discoverable to facilitate connections.
- Open a web browser. ...
- Then type what is my IP into the address bar.
- Next, copy the public IP address listed. ...
- Then open TCP port 3389 on your router. ...
- Next, open the Remote Desktop Connection app. ...
- Enter your public IP address in the Computer field.
RemotePC offers every feature offered by TeamViewer and works about as well, especially if you're connecting Windows devices to each other. It's also much more affordable than TeamViewer if you only need access to a handful of your own devices. That's because RemotePC is affordable without skimping on quality.
What are the three types of remote access? ›- Virtual private network (VPN)
- Virtual network computing (VNC)
- Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)
Conclusion: Your Boss Can Legally Monitor Any Activity on a Work Computer or a Work Network. As you now know, your boss can monitor almost anything you do during the day - whether you're working remotely or have returned to the office.
What allows remote login to another computer? ›Use Remote Desktop to connect to the PC you set up: On your local Windows PC: In the search box on the taskbar, type Remote Desktop Connection, and then select Remote Desktop Connection. In Remote Desktop Connection, type the name of the PC you want to connect to (from Step 1), and then select Connect.
How do I set up remote access to my computer? ›Set Up Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection
First, you or someone else must physically sign into the PC you want to remotely access. Enable Remote Desktop on this computer by going to Settings > System > Remote Desktop. Turn on the switch next to Remote Desktop. Click Confirm to enable the setting.
One reason for connection problems and other typical errors like 'remote desktop services is currently busy' can be an unstable internet connection. Also, the wrong credentials often cause lead to the remote desktop not being able to connect correctly.
How can I access another computer on a different network? ›1: On another Windows PC, open 'Remote Desktop Connection,' which you can find by searching in the Start menu. 2: Enter the name of the remote PC (noted earlier) or its public IP address if you're connecting over the internet.
How can I remotely access another computer using my IP address? ›
To do this, go to the Windows menu > System and Security. Then check your firewall settings and tick the box > Remote Desktop. Doing this will open your PC to remote control. Once you have confirmed this choice, follow the instructions and register the router by entering the IP address and the default gateway.
How do I see other computers on my home network? ›- Type CMD in the search box and click Run as Administrator from the menu.
- Enter the net view command to view devices connected to your network. ...
- To view the IP addresses of the devices, enter the arp -a command, which will list the Internet address physical address and type of each device.
Simply download TeamViewer, set up the free remote PC connection, and directly access your home PC from wherever you are.
How can I access my computer files remotely? ›- Cloud Services. ...
- Network Attached Storage Devices (NAS) ...
- USB Enabled Routers. ...
- Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) ...
- Remote Desktop Access.
What does 'remote desktop' mean? Remote desktop is the ability to connect with and use a faraway desktop computer from a separate computer. Remote desktop users can access their desktop, open and edit files, and use applications as if they were actually sitting at their desktop computer.
How to tell who is logged into a computer remotely? ›- 1: Use Command Prompt or PowerShell.
- 2: Use Windows Sysinternals Tool.
- 3: Use NBTSTAT Command.
- 4: Use Event Viewer.
- 5: Use Task Manager.
- 6: Use Remote Desktop Services Manager.
- Open the "Control Panel" in Windows 10 and click on "System and Security."
- Click "Allow remote access" in the "System" section.
- Go to the "Remote" tab. Uncheck the "Allow Remote Assistance connection to this computer" option under the "Remote Assistance" section.
LANVisor is a remote computer monitoring software that allows you to view and record desktop activities of PCs connected to your local network.