Windows – Best Remote Support and Screen Sharing Tools

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What are the most commonly used remote support / screen sharing tools available?

How do they compare, both price- as functionality wise?

Best Answer

Free

  • Remote Desktop/Terminal Services
    • [+] fast, nothing to install, traps Windows key, doesn't require both parties to connect
    • [-] kicks off the user, more effort required to make available outside of network
  • LogMeIn Free
    • [+] fast, traps Windows key, doesn't require both parties to connect, doesn't kick off user, easy to connect from internet
    • [-] requires install
  • CoPilot (free on weekends)
    • [+] decent performance, excellent setup/connect experience
    • [-] performance not as good as above, only free on weekends
  • ShowMyPC
    • [+] no install, can access over the internet with no configuration in most cases
    • [-] poor performance, difficult setup/connect experience compared to others
  • Crossloop.com
    • [+] Scott likes it
    • [-] I've never used it, so I don't know much about it

For me, if I can install, I use LogMeIn. I use the Window key frequently (Win+E, Win+R, Win+M, Win+Pause, etc) when troubleshooting, so when I lose that key on the remote system, it's a pain. I like the fact that LogMeIn traps that.

When I can't install, I use CoPilot on weekends, and ShowMyPC otherwise. I'll have to look into Crossloop now..

Not Free

If you're paying for it, I've used LogMeIn (Rescue for no-install, Pro for install) and I've found it quite good. One thing the pay-versions have that the free ones don't (as far as I know) is an easy way to copy files from local to remote, and to print across machines as well.

This Wikipedia article might help.

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