VNC Virtual Network Computing

How to Use VNC Virtual Network Computing to Control a Computer Remotely

Edited by James Quirk, Tom Viren, Versageek, Zack and 12 others

VNC is a free remote control software package. With VNC, you can see the desktop of a remote machine and control it with your local mouse and keyboard, just like you would do it sitting in the front of that computer. VNC is:

   * free for both personal and commercial usage, with full source code available,
   * useful in administration, tech support, education, and for many other purposes,
   * cross-platform, available for Windows and Unix, with Java client included,
   * compatible with standard VNC software, conforming to RFB protocol specifications.

With TightVNC, you can:

   * cut your expenses and save your time on traveling,
   * help your friends and family to solve problems with their computers remotely,
   * make sure nothing wrong is happening on your computers when you are away.

Note: These instructions are specific to Windows OS which also has a built in facility Remote Desktop. If you need access to Windows computers you may be able to simply use Remote Desktop. VNC is more useful in a Linux/Unix environment.

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Steps

1. 
   1
   Visit RealVNC to obtain a copy of the VNC software. It is free for personal use.
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2. 
   2
   Install VNC on all machines which you plan to access remotely.
3. 
   3
   Choose "service mode" during installation. This allows VNC to run as a Windows service, which offers resource-management advantages.
4. 
    
   4 Confirm that VNC is running on all machines. If the service is running, there will be an icon in the system tray showing the letters "VNC."
5. 
    
   5 To access another machine from your current location, click Start > All Programs > RealVNC > VNC Viewer 4 > Run VNC Viewer. A small input box will appear. Type the IP address of the known remote computer and click OK. You are now successfully connected.