If you’re like most people, you probably use a desktop to control your computer. But there are a few ways to do it the easy way without having to learn any new software or using any special tools. Here are three methods:

  1. Use a remote desktop client. A remote desktop client is a program that allows you to control your computer from another computer or device. You can use these clients on both Windows and Mac computers.
  2. Use an app for your phone or tablet. There are many apps that allow you to remotely control your computer from your phone or tablet. Some of these apps include Remote Desktop Client, Remote Desktop Server, and Terminal Server Manager.
  3. Use a virtual assistant software like Citrix XenApp or Microsoft Lync for remote control of your computer from anywhere in the world.

There is, and it’s called Crossloop – a completely free screen sharing software that’s extremely simple to use and very secure… since it’s not enabled all the time. I’d advise installing this on their computer even before they have problems so you’ll be prepared.

Yes, It’s Really This Simple

Tell the person that you are trying to help to open the application and select the Host tab. They’ll need to give you the access code and then click the Connect button.

Type in the access code on your copy’s Join tab, and then click Connect. Note that the spaces are only for readability and not necessary.

They’ll get a dialog telling them that you want to control their computer, tell them to hit Yes.

The first time they run the app, they’ll need to click the Unblock button (unless you’ve already installed and configured it for them)

Now you are controlling their desktop, and you can tell them to get lost while you delete the 389 browser search toolbars they installed.

This application will work even if you have a firewall, and uses an encrypted connection. You can read more information about how it actually works.

Also Good to Know

You can click the little folder icon on the CrossLoop window to send files from one computer to the other.

If you are having speed issues, you can tone down the amount of colors being shown, which should dramatically speed up the connection. Right-click on the CrossLoop window title bar and then choose Connection options:

You can select the checkbox for “Restrict pixels to 8-bit (for slow networks)” which will make the picture really ugly, but you can breeze around and get things done. I’d only use this if you are having issues, but it’s good to know it’s there.

After you end the first session you’ll get a dialog asking you to rate your session and provide feedback. If you complete it then it’ll go away.

Overall this is a great application for doing remote help, much easier than driving to your family member’s house and listening to their stories about mowing the lawn in the snow while walking 20 miles to school…

Thanks to our forum moderator Scott for pointing out this app to me.

Download CrossLoop from crossloop.com

Note: If you have problems with Windows Vista as a Host, a workaround is to disable UAC prompting while still leaving UAC enabled.