The Best Remote Desktop Control Software for Windows

Remote desktop control applications are a popular computing trend that allow users to access their desktop from anywhere in the world via the internet. So as long as your main computer is switched on and connected to the internet you can retrieve, edit and share any file as easily as if you are sitting right in front of it. With an increasing demand for easy to use desktop sharing applications, thankfully there are many different apps that Windows users can choose from to fit their remote desktop needs. There are even iPhone VNC apps!

As with many parts of computer technology, remote desktop access applications are getting evermore intuitive! So get started and check out the applications described below.

LogMeIn
LogMeIn was one of the first companies that developed remote control desktop applications for consumers. The application allows users to securely access their home desktop through a web browser. LogMeIn supports many necessary computing functions for modern business and travel. Running computer programs remotely, transferring documents and printing documents from remote computers to onsite printers are all possible. Further, users can share their desktop with colleagues or clients in remote locations to aid with collaboration. At the time of publishing, LogMeIn Pro costs $13 per month or $70 per year. A free version is available as well, but has fewer features.

GoToMyPC
The GoToMyPC application supports connecting remotely to between 1 and 20 PCs for personal and business purposes. The application is very easy to use, and once the application is downloaded the plug-in automatically launches, installs and configures. Files, documents, email and programs can all be accessed remotely. Further, GoToMyPC allows you to print to any printer and to connect multiple monitors to one PC for collaboration and meeting needs. One drawback to this application is the cost. One PC costs $20 per month, $30 per month to connect 2 PCs, and an additional $15 per month for each additional PC.

TeamViewer
TeamViewer is an application that offers three different solutions in one: remote support, meetings, and remote access. The application allows you to remotely control any PC from the internet; all that is required is for the application to be running on both computers. The application can even connect through firewalls, eliminating the problems that many remote control applications encounter. In addition to file transfers, TeamViewer supports file collaborations, presentations and meetings over the Internet. Several people can work together through sharing desktops. TeamViewer even supports desktop access to unattended computers. TeamViewer is free for non-commercial use and between $699 and $2,590 for a lifetime license.

TightVNC
TightVNC is free app that can be downloaded and used to control your desktop remotely. VNC stands for Virtual Network Computing and supports file transfers and scaling of the remote desktop. Quick and easy collaboration and exchange of files can be completed at no cost, making TightVNC a very popular choice. One drawback is that you must set up a VNC server on the remote computer before the application can be used. A more recent development, TightVNC Portable, allows the application to be run from a USB stick.

Windows Remote Desktop Connection
This application comes with Windows, although many people do not know about it. Look in your Accessories folder for something called Remote Desktop Connection and be sure you have enabled remote desktop access. Once this is done, you can access your computer remotely over the internet from any computer or smartphone. Although it does not have the support for collaboration like some other applications, you already have it and it is worth trying.

ManageEngine Desktop Central
Desktop Central supports remote desktop sharing and a variety of other services like software deployment and asset management. The software is web-based and allows administrators to manage even 1,000s of desktops from a central location. These additional features make the application particularly suited to large corporate and enterprise environments. The application can access computers in either the LAN or the WAN for enterprises with multiple offices. Nearly all operations can be performed remotely and file transfers and collaboration across enterprises is easily done. The free edition of Desktop Central allows remote access to up to 10 PCs. For larger enterprises a Professional Edition (for LAN) and an Enterprise Edition (for WAN) are available for $545 and $695, respectively.