How can I access my PC remotely without any installs on the host?

[MoonriseWarrior]

Hi, I'm going to need to access and control my home PC at school soon. My school does not allow access to the terminal or any installs, so I'm going to need something which is free and web based. I was thinking IP addresses, but I don't know how to do that (I'll try it after I post this thread, but it probably won't work). Just in case you were going to suggest chrome remote desktop - I tried it, it doesn't work for me for some reason... Cheers, MW.

P.S Sorry if this is the wrong section, it seemed like the most appropriate one...

 

[kyzarvs]

JoinMe is web based and works okay. Cisco WebEx might do what you need. Or (as long as it is well firewalled), use Windows own RDP software - if your version of windows has it enabled?

 

[MoonriseWarrior]

Cheers for the quick reply, I'll give it a go. No, my version of windows does not allow remote PC - it's pretty stripped... Just out of interest, how would I do it with the IP?

 

[kyzarvs]

JoinMe and WebEx are meeting-based apps. Join Me in particular lets you set up the meeting, then join it through it's website later on. You don't need an IP, just the ref number given by the app.

 

[MoonriseWarrior]

Hmm... Join.me requires an install, and webex requires java (will do, but I'd rather use something without java), so maybe using the IP is the best option after all... but how?

 

[Rogue Leader]

http://www.onlinevnc.com/

Download the free server and then you can go in right from this website.

Hmm... Join.me requires an install, and webex requires java (will do, but I'd rather use something without java), so maybe using the IP is the best option after all... but how?

You can't just go in through your IP address. Windows RDP can be done through your IP address, first you'd need to have remote desktop on your home PC, and you would need to open port 3389 on your router firewall, then you can use Remote Desktop on the school PC to connect using your ISP's provided IP address.

For OnlineVNC above you will need to open a port on your router as well, for it to work. 3389 is as good as any,

 

[kyzarvs]

Hmm... Join.me requires an install, and webex requires java (will do, but I'd rather use something without java), so maybe using the IP is the best option after all... but how?

You aren't going to do it without some kind of install. If you want a feature that you don't have - you have to install that feature?

RDP is the best (but heroically insecure) option, it has by far the best experience and is rock-solid. But it isn't installed by default on home versions of Windows. Does need port-forwarding (and some security to make that non-world port forwarding too!) on your router to get it running.

Next up for me would be VNC server / client. Neither need installing that I remember, they are both executables that don't affect the registry.

After that join.me is pretty good, it's a tiny install for the host, but has the worst experience of the three (image quality on low-speed connections is not that great, can crash now and again).

 

[Alabalcho]

You can get $100 Windows Laptop, and not rely on your school' computers to access your home computer. You can even use your smart phone as RDP client.