How to Share a Remote Desktop Across the Internet for Free

Here's the scenario: Your mom is in another state and she calls you up to ask you how to do something relatively complex on her computer. You wish you could just access her PC and show her, but how are you going to do that? She'd have to install some sort of software, and wouldn't that be expensive? Nope, it's free. Thanks to TeamViewer.com you've got a one-stop solution for screen-sharing and accessing a remote desktop across the Internet, for free. Yes, your mom would have to install an application, but it's super easy. Here's how.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A Windows PC or a Mac
• An broadband internet connection for both machines
• Phones (So that one person can tell the other the access code)

1. 

   Both computers need to go to Teamviewer.com. If you are on a Windows machine, the programs you're going to need are right on the front page. For Macs you'll need to go to the Download page.

2. 

   You're the person who's providing support, so you need to click the link that says "Start Full Version" (It's also called "Full Version" on the Download page). The install process is only slightly more complex for you than for the client.

3. 

   Save the TeamViewer_Setup.exe to your hard drive and run the executable. You have the option to "Install" or just "Run" the application. If you want to permanently install the application so you don't have to do this again, you can do so by choosing "Install." But for this walkthrough we are going to only run it, so choose "Run." Click Next and accept the license.

4. 

   At the same time you're doing this, the person whom you want to help (in this case your mom) needs to run the client setup. She can click "Join A Session" on the front of the TeamVeiwer.com site or click "QuickSupport" on the Download page. There's practically no install process for her. All she has to do is save the exe to the hardrive and run it. A window instantly pops up with an ID and password.

5. Now, the client (or your Mom) needs to tell you over the phone, email, text, whatever, what the ID and password are that they are getting from Team Viewer.

6. 

   On your side, under "Create A Session," enter the client's ID and hit "Connect To Partner." For this case we are choosing Remote Support, but you can also choose Presentation (which shows your desktop, not theirs), File Transfer and VPN.

7. 

   Enter the password the client gave you and click "Log On."

8. 

   Now the desktop of the client's machine will appear and you have full control. Up at the top of the screen is a menu full of extra options for you.

9. 

   To start a chat go to Extras > Chat. Now you can hang up the phone and chat directly with the client through Team Viewer.

10. 

    There are numerous other options as well, such as switching sides so they can see your screen, remote reboot of the other machine, file transfer, optimizing the connection and changing the resolution. You can even record the session.

11. To end the session, all you have to do is click the "X" on the toolbar. The client can also just hit "Cancel" on the ID and Password screen. There's nothing to uninstall. Congratulations, you've made your mother proud!

Resources

• TeamViewer

[poetryman69]

on 10/30/2009 cool. I have used some remote desktop software. if this stuff is free that a good deal.

[poetryman69]

on 10/30/2009 cool. I have used some remote desktop software. if this stuff is free that a good deal.

[dustind33]

on 10/29/2009 Nice and very well laid out. I've used this several times. This is very helpful for people who need help from people who cant get to them. 5*s

[mrchuck999]

on 7/2/2009 This is awesome! Thanks for writing it. 5*