Remote Access Software recommendation

Tuvoc · 16 Feb 2022 at 18:38

I'm currently using Teamviewer and it is broadly OK. I suspect though they may block my access soon with the allegation that I'm using it commercially. I'm not, it is personal use and they did this to me before a couple of years ago. Impossible to prove to them that it is personal use only.

Does anyone have any suggestions of other Remote Access software they have used and worked well ?

(I'm using Windows 11 on both machines)

Tuvoc · 16 Feb 2022 at 19:48

montymint said:
if it's for personal use google desktop might be worth a shout?

Ah - yes I think there is some sort of capability to do this from the Chrome Browser, is that what you're referring to ?

Chrome Remote Desktop (google.com)

Tuvoc · 17 Feb 2022 at 17:28

Yes, I'd like to use RDP but I can't get into the particular router to set up port forwarding etc.

So far Teamviewer is the only solution I've found that lets me adjust screen resolution.

Tuvoc · 17 Feb 2022 at 19:36

With Chrome remote desktop - my laptop is 1920 x1080. I remote into the desktop machine, and get a square-ish screen that is something like 800x600. And I can't see a way to change it. With Teamviewer there is a menu for resolution on the remote, and I normally select 1600 x 1050 or something like that and it then fills most of the laptop screen. If it is relevant, the remote machine is headless - no monitor attached. Anyway, even if I can't adjust, I may be able to perform basic rasks like this with Chrome desktop to reduce the frequency of Teamviewer usage which might lessen the chance of triggering their commercial use stuff.

Tuvoc · 21 Feb 2022 at 15:14

doodah said:
TeamViewer was great until it started suspecting me of commercial use.

Yep, happened to me before. How do you prove it is NOT commercial use ? You're proclaimed guilty with no way of proving your innocence. I expect it will happen again, but don't know what triggers it. This time I'm accessing only one of my two machines, that could help. If I access the machine 10 times a day for 5 mins each, or once a day for 50 mins, is that any different ? Fantastic product - best of the lot in my experience - but awful company to deal with. Fingers crossed.

Tuvoc · 21 Feb 2022 at 15:30

Armageus said:
Have you tried Splashtop?

No I haven't will take a look, thanks

Tuvoc · 21 Feb 2022 at 15:38

Unfortunately the free version only works on the same network, not across the internet

Tuvoc · 21 Feb 2022 at 19:05

rhysduck said:
Yes it does. Have been using it for years across the 'net.

Their website says it doesn't, and I asked them directly and they said only the commercial version allows it. (Splashtop)

Tuvoc · 21 Feb 2022 at 19:06

dLockers said:
RealVNC has come on absolute leaps and bounds since I used it a decade ago. Really recommend you give it a go.

Will do, thanks. I used it a few years ago and it did work for me except for some odd display issues. I'll try it again.

Tuvoc · 21 Feb 2022 at 19:40

Just tried VNC - when I connect I just get a blank screen. This happens with Teamviewer initially as well, but when I resize the window and back again, it appears. Same trick does not seem to work with VNC. Will google the issue. It is to do with the fact that there is no monitor attached to the remote system. Most remote software just can't deal with this.

Tuvoc · 21 Feb 2022 at 19:50

Tuvoc said:
Just tried VNC - when I connect I just get a blank screen. This happens with Teamviewer initially as well, but when I resize the window and back again, it appears. Same trick does not seem to work with VNC. Will google the issue. It is to do with the fact that there is no monitor attached to the remote system. Most remote software just can't deal with this.

I remember this now - solved it by setting CaptureMethod to 1 in advanced settings.

Tuvoc · 27 Feb 2022 at 15:21

bledd said:
Got a Raspberry Pi ? Install Wireguard VPN on it.

Then you can just use VPN with Remote Desktop.

I don't really understand that solution.

Anyway, today it happened - Teamviewer locks me out because of "professional use". Utterly predictable, what a crap company. So onto my two backup solutions. VNC and Chrome remote desktop.

Tuvoc · 5 Mar 2022 at 14:10

I've finally got VNC running fairly well. It seems that display resolution is a common problem when accessing a headless remote machine. (Teamviewer seem to have a way of getting round it though.)

I found the VNC help here:

Why do I see a low resolution when connected to VNC Server for Windows on a headless/virtual machine? – RealVNC Help Center

And then eventually found a solution here

Activating a Secondary Display on Windows 10 when no Monitor is Connected - Amyuni Technologies

I'm now seeing a full 1920 * 1080 desktop on the remote machine.

Also you can buy an HDMI dummy plug, which I've done as well but it will be a few months before I'm physically able to access the machine.

Tuvoc · 13 Mar 2022 at 09:06

Strangely I had to re-do the above after applying a cumulative windows update remotely. But VNC is working beautifully. It lacks clipboard transfer that Teamviewer has, but I can live with that. Goodbye Teamviewer with your not-really-free for private use. You are history.