Efficient and secure tool for remote desktop access and screen sharing with added features for collaboration
Efficient and secure tool for remote desktop access and screen sharing with added features for collaboration
Pros
- Very simple remote collaboration tool.
- Can share a whole desktop or individual applications.
- Built-in chat and whiteboard system.
- Web-based viewer available for Linux and Mac users.
Cons
- Free version limits session time and lacks more powerful features.
- Minor visual glitches can happen during active session.
ShowMyPC is a simple remote access and collaboration tool. It lets you share your screen with other users through the Internet. There are many potential uses for such a tool, such as providing remote support, hosting virtual meetings or teaching someone how to use a certain application.
One of the Simplest Collaboration Tools You Can Find
ShowMyPC is relatively easy to use, even for those who have little technical skills or who have never used remote collaboration software before. The application is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10. Installing the software takes just a few minutes and the automatic installer takes care of setting up all necessary components that work behind the scenes to allow remote access to a PC.
Both the user sharing their PC and the one connecting to it install the application on their system. There is also a Java version available on the ShowMyPC, which can be used to access a remote computer without having to install the Windows application. This can be a big plus if one needs to share their desktop with a Mac or Linux user.
Once both users have launched ShowMyPC, the one sharing their PC simply clicks on the "Show My PC Now" button, which makes the program automatically generate a password to be provided to the other user. The user on the viewing end just needs to hit the "View Remote PC" button and enter the password provided by the host.
ShowMyPC has a basic chat and whiteboard feature that lets both users communicate without having to use another messenger program. Other features included are the ability to share only a specific application, screenshots and scheduled meetings. More advanced users can set up the program to connect through a proxy or private SSH server if needed.
Free Version Has Some Limitations
ShowMyPC is made for individual users who want the simplest possible collaboration tool. It takes advantage of VNC and SSH forwarding, which are very common open source remote access technologies. However, unlike other VNC-based applications geared towards more advanced users like server administrators, it doesn't require configuring port forwarding, adding exceptions to firewalls or providing the remote user with the host's IP address.
While it's quite good for a free program, it does have a few small shortcomings. The latest version comes with an updated user interface to give the program a more modern appearance, though some users have reported visual glitches, such as menu options disappearing for a few seconds while a connection is active.
The free version of ShowMyPC can only be used to connect to one PC at a time, with a time limit of one hour per session. Some features that could be practical for many users, like file transfer and shared folders, are only available by purchasing one of the paid versions.
Pros
- Very simple remote collaboration tool.
- Can share a whole desktop or individual applications.
- Built-in chat and whiteboard system.
- Web-based viewer available for Linux and Mac users.
Cons
- Free version limits session time and lacks more powerful features.
- Minor visual glitches can happen during active session.
Pros
- Perfect When You Need to See the Same Thing
- Lets You Take Screenshots and Join in on Scheduled Meetings
- Location Tracking for Extra Security
- Has an Option for Mobile Tracking
Cons
- The Design is Not Easy on the Eyes
ShowMyPC, a free, open-source application that lets you view and access another PC, is a free PC collaboration tool. It is perfect when you have different users who need to see the same thing. ShowMyPC gives you a simple method that you can install on your PC. The individual who will share their PC will hit "Show My PC Now." Next, the person who wants to view the PC will hit "View Remote PC."
The software generates its own password that the other person needs to know to provide access to your PC. Instead of sharing everything, you can choose to just share an application. That will let you take screenshots and join for scheduled meetings. Another interesting feature of ShowMyPC is called the "Chat Whiteboard" feature. This is intended to help with in-sharing conversations.
Looking at the technical level, ShowMyPC configures private servers and proxies to boost the security. You can also modify your default server properties, which you can do with a right click on TightVNC Server. That appears in the system tray. It costs nothing, and the application is easy to use. While ShowMyPC does not look the best, you have a highly functional software that gets the job done. This is free and you have uncomplicated desktop sharing.
ShowMyPC uses location tracking for extra security. In the event that your computer was stolen, you could use this built-in feature to give an approximate location. While it does not guarantee that you will recover your computer, it gives you a better chance of finding it. The pricing plan for this depends on how many computers are being used. While other competitors might limit the features on the more basic plans, that is not the case with every package. With ShowMyPC, you can reboot and restart your PC during a session. That comes in handy if you have to troubleshoot some tasks, or you have a software installation that needs total shutdown. After the remote control session has been booted up, you can check if the problem has been fixed.
The biggest problem with ShowMyPC is how you have outdated file transfer procedures. Unlike some of the other remote desktop programs that will drag and drop, ShowMyPC uses your account where you upload a file to access and download it. ShowMyPC has also shown problems with loading a larger file, and in some cases it failed to upload at all. If you plan to use remote sessions to share files, you may want to look at another alternative. ShowMyPC also has a mobile app that you can download at the Apple AppStore. The app does not cost anything if you have already purchased a plan.
Pros
- Perfect When You Need to See the Same Thing
- Lets You Take Screenshots and Join in on Scheduled Meetings
- Location Tracking for Extra Security
- Has an Option for Mobile Tracking
Cons
- The Design is Not Easy on the Eyes
