Access Other Computer Through Internet:Remote Assistance Software(free or paid)

Want to access other computer through internet anywhere in the world? All you need for this is a piece of remote assistance software (free or paid version) by which you can connect and take control of any computer at anywhere on the globe. Several good third-party software are out there, which are excellent applications for both home and commercial users to provide online technical support remotely to their friends and family or clients.

Home use of the software (to access a computer remotely for private use)

I have, many a time provided remote support to my relatives living at distance places by simply taking over control of their PCs by using one of such third party software. You can fix the computer problems of your friends and relatives with the help of these applications, by working on their PCs as if you are sitting in front of the machine. For this you need not have to make any phone call to the other end for dictating ‘do-it-yourself steps’ for fixing their issues.

Commercial use of the software (to access a computer remotely for client supports)

The remote technical assistance software have great value for commercial use. These software let your clients at the other end to sit back and watch you fixing their computer issues from remote location. If you plan to start your own IT support company then, in addition to all the necessary arrangements regarding development of teams of technicians, you will be required to buy one of such professional remote assistance software applications to access other computer through internet and provide effective support services to your remote clients. A third party software to access a computer remotely is, therefore, a perfect solution for any company interested in providing high quality and cost effective technical support services to their clients at any remote locations.

The popular remote access software in the market

A short description detailing the key features of the popular remote assistance software (free and paid versions), out in the market, are given below:

Team Viewer:

Team Viewer is an excellent small program (1.02 MB) and very easy to use without worrying about firewalls and IP addresses. What is even nicer is the fact that it is free for private use. Its features are great, interface is fine and is available on Windows, Mac and Linux platforms. The moment the software is launched for remote assistance purpose it generates a User ID and Password for a particular session. If you are to provide support to a friend at remote location, all you have to do is to ask him/her to install and launch this software on his/her computer and generate a session specific ID and Password for you. You get this ID and Password combination over Phone or E-mail from your friend and enter the same in the Team Viewer launched on your PC. In seconds you can see the screen of the computer of your friend and take full control of it to give any on-line assistance, fix problems or show him/her how to resolve an issue, which is much easier than explaining the same over the phone.

CrossLoop

CrossLoop is a simple and extremely easy to use remote assistance software,that enables any user, regardless of technical skill levels, to remotely assist any computer on the globe.The software has a simple interface, works through router and firewall and does not require any knowledge about networking to access other computer through internet. If you are to provide support to a friend at remote location, all you have to do is to direct him to ‘CrossLoop.com’ website and have him download the program. Once the software is installed and launched on your friend’s computer a 12-digit Access Code is assigned to his PC. You get this Access Code from your friend and enter the same in the ‘Access’ tab of the CrossLoop launched on your computer and ask you friend to click on the ‘Share’ tab of the CrossLoop on his computer. Now, when both of you click on the ‘Connect’ tab, in seconds you can see the screen of your friend’s computer and take full control of it to give him any on-line assistance. CrossLoop is a free software and works only on Windows Operating system platform.

GoToMyPC:

With this software you can remotely access any computer, which has net- connection and any web browser. The program is very easy to set up and can be started in minutes, even by novice users. The software is to be installed first on the remote computer of your friend seeking assistance, which is to remain connected to the internet and the process takes just two minutes. Next log-in to 'GoToMyPC.com' from any computer anywhere in the world (no need to install the software again) and press ‘connect button’ to get immediate access to your friend’s computer the desk-top of which will appear in front of you. Start working on the remote MAC or PC as if you are sitting in front of it. With this remote assistance software you have the freedom to handle work from home, or operate your home PC from workplace. The software operates on all the operating system platforms and has many additional useful features also for professional users. It is not a freeware and you can pay on monthly basis or buy an Annual Plan and save 25 percent.

ShowMyPC:

ShowMyPC is the perfect remote assistance software for home users who don’t need a lot of features and utilities. Setting up of the software is easy and can be used on operating systems running on Windows, Linux and Mac platforms. When the software is launched for remote assistance purpose it automatically generates a Password for a particular viewing session. If you are to provide support to a friend at remote location, all you have to do is to ask him/her to install and launch the software on his/her computer and generate a session specific Password to be transmitted to you by email, phone or other means. Once you enter this Password in the ShowMyPC launched on your PC in seconds you can see the screen of the computer of your friend at other end and take full control of it to give him on-line assistance. With this software you can also operate your home PC from workplace or can handle office work from your home. The free version of the software is limited to one hour per session and does not provide some advanced features.

Remote Support System:

This software package allows you to create a standalone executable file that you can distribute to your remote clients in order to offer them remote computer support. When executed by them, this file will automatically connect back their computers to you and allow you to provide them remote support from anywhere in the world by operating their machines as if you were sitting in front them. You can even reboot the machines in safe mode from remote and continue to operate them. The software operates on all versions of Windows Operating system. The software has also many additional useful features for commercial users. The program is free for non-commercial use only.

LogMeIn:

‘LogMeIn’ is a user-friendly program and extremely easy to set up. It is perfect remote support software for home users. With only a few clicks, the users can quickly access other computer through internet and without any hassle. This remote assistance software operates in the same line as of GoToMyPC. Once the software is installed on a computer, you can access that machine from almost any browser and from anywhere in the world. The basic version of this software is free to use. Unlike GoToMyPC, even the free version of the application lets you access an unlimited number of machines. When accessing a remote computer with ‘LogMeIn’, you can freely navigate the machine as if you were sitting in front of it. The application is extremely fast and you can easily allow remote access to other users. The software can be installed on Windows operating system and can be accessed from computers running on Windows and Linux platforms.

Commercial users can go for paid 'LogMeIn Rescue' as a help desk tool for remote diagnosis and fixing computer problems on Windows and Mac platforms. It is very easy to set up and no software is required to be installed on client machines. It has multi user environment with complete diagnostic tools for technicians.

Remote assistance feature in Windows

It may not be out of place to mention here that many of us may not be aware that Windows Operating System also has a built-in ‘remote assistance’ feature that lets you access other computer through internet anywhere in the world. Using this feature of Windows system you can extend help to any remote client to fix his computer problems simply by taking over control of his PC. Such assistance is provided by working on his machine from remote as if you are sitting in front of it. This feature is not available in Linux or Mac operating systems. Let me explain here in short how this ‘remote assistance feature’ in Windows can be used to connect with remote clients to fix their computer problems.

Windows XP:

Step1 - Click Start > Go to ‘All Programs’ > Click on ‘Remote Assistance’ link;

Step2 - Click on ‘invite someone to help you’;

Ste3 - Choose how you want to connect to your helper (by e-mail or messenger);

Step4 - Save the invitation link as a file and send it to your helper preferably via web-based e-mail;

Step5 - Create a password, save it, and send it to your helper preferably by phone;

Windows Vista:

Step1- Click Start> type ‘remote assistance’ in the search box;

Then go to‘Step2’ for Widows XP above and follow the instructions down;

Windows 7:

Step1- Click Start> type ‘trouble shoot’ in the search box;

Then go to‘Step2’ for Widows XP above and follow the instructions down;

Your helper can now gain total control of your computer by clicking on the ‘invitation link’ sent by you and entering the password. You can also watch on your screen as he works on fixing your computer issues from remote.

Conclusion.

Therefore, the next time any of your dear and near ones or your clients located anywhere in the world call you up asking for online computer help, a piece of third party remote assistance software (free or paid) or ‘windows remote assistance feature’ would come in handy to access other computer through internet to provide online help in just few minutes from receiving the request.