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Instant Desktop Sharing with Teamviewer

Did you ever try to remotely access a computer of a user who is not tech-savvy ? How long did it take to configure the client system correctly ? One great solution for this kind of problems is the software Teamviewer which is free for non-commercial use. Teamviewer uses two software modules: The first is the one that is run by the person who wants to access a computer remotely while the second is run by the user who wants to permit remote access to his machine. The client module is absolutely easy to use. It just needs to be executed and displays a username and a password which the user who wants to access the clients machine has to enter in his Teamviewer software which is called the Supporter Module.

teamviewer remote desktop accessYou normally use a phone or voip to communicate which is the preferred way to give the Supporter the data that he needs to access the computer. Teamviewer uses RSA-encryption to ensure that all data is encrypted between both computers. The module on the client computer does not have to be installed at all, it can be run and supplies all information necessary. The software works even if Firewalls or Proxies are installed on the client machine.

Teamviewer offers two modes. The first is the normal remote desktop mode which gives the Supporter full control over the clients machine. You can even initiate file transfers between both computers if it is necessary to send files to the client.

The second mode is interesting as well. It is called the presentation mode which mirrors the Supporters desktop at the clients machine. The client is therefor viewing everything that the Supporter is demonstrating at his computer. Great for online presentations for instance.

Teamviewer is working on every Windows edition starting with Windows 98. There is currently no support for Linux or Mac.

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About the Author:Martin Brinkmann is a journalist from Germany who founded Ghacks Technology News Back in 2005. He is passionate about all things tech and knows the Internet and computers like the back of his hand. You can follow Martin on Facebook or Twitter.

Author: , Monday April 2, 2007 -
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Responses so far:

  1. unfortunately says:

    Looks great but there’s one catch. “Connections with the Free version will automatically be terminated after 5 minutes.”

  2. Coldplay says:

    hey there,
    that termination is only for the Quick Support, that means if both partners do have the full version of TeamViewer there is no 5 minutes limitation. Instead you have 25 hours free usage of the full software per month, which should be enough for the most of us :)

  3. Struis says:

    works fine but what about the connection setup ?
    Is it going through there servers or directly to the target pc ?

  4. Socrates says:

    I use TeamViewer since some month – a really great tool which has helped me to save much time in giving support to friends and my family.

    I have tested several remote-desktop tools, but always I had problems with firewalls and proxy-servers.
    It’s really depressing to explain a non-techie how to configurate a router to get remote-access.
    Therefore I love TeamViewer, no configuration work necessary.

    Some weeks ago I considered, how does TeamViewer connect to computers behind firewalls. So I have contacted the TeamViewer support-team.

    In the first step you connect will be established through the TeamViewer server. The server checks if a direct connection is possible. Is this possible, the connection will be switched to a direct connection between you and your partner.
    If a direct connection is not possible because of firewall, proxy-server, nat-router then the whole connection will be redirected through TeamViewer servers.

    But don’t sweat it. All connection with TeamViewer are fully encrypted.

  5. Struis says:

    Well i guess that will cost them a lot of money. All those data that is going through the servers.

    At the moment i also test some remote-desktop programs and team viewer is one of them.

    I guess the first step is also for setting up some security.

  6. Polisurgist says:

    I just used the program. WOW. It’s great!!! And it’s the first one that actually works! The only problem that I had was that the wallpaper of the other computer’s desktop disappeared when I was logged in and all I could see was a black wallpaper, so did the other person.

  7. when i connect through teamviewer then is created to set proxy server says:

    how we connect through teamviewer . when i try then need to set proxy server.

  8. Paul says:

    of course it disappeared, it would be slow as hell to redraw the screen with the wallpaper active, use your brain!

  9. Hai says:

    How to solve problem when TV say: “Connections with the Free version will automatically be terminated after 5 minutes.”

    I and partner use Portable version at:
    http://www.teamviewer.com/download/portable.aspx

    >>that termination is only for the Quick Support, that means if both partners >>do have the full version of TeamViewer there is no 5 minutes limitation.

    What is full version here mean? It mean I and partner have to install from TeamViewer_Setup.exe instead of Portable TeamVersion?

  10. Teamviewer supports Mac now, it works great!!!
    You may even uses cross-platforms…

  11. Mishal Syed says:

    I wanted to know that for one person to see another person’s desktop,first of all the other person needs to allow it..But if the other person shuts the computer down and restarts again,still the the first person can see the desktop by himself ? or does he have to send the request for viewing again?I mean if the connection is established once is there a way to close it?Or will it just continue?

    • phil says:

      If either one of the parties closes the connection, the remote user has no connection anymore and doesn’t see anything. If he wants to reconnect he has to start from the beginning. It is however possible to install the program as a service, I use this to be able to access my computer at home when i’m at a different location. I’m sure it’s not as secure as setting up a VPN etc. but for home use this is excellent!

  12. Biplab says:

    Sir,
    Kindly Support send my E-mail ID, so i interest the this subject.

    Thanks you.

  13. Atif says:

    Thats nt true i and my partner had installed TeamViewer_Setup.exe still the connection is terminated after 5 mins

  14. Charles says:

    I would also like to know how much bandwidth is used by Teamviewer every 30 minutes.

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