Remote support tools on Windows 7 ? (VNC)

[internetuser]

Currently we use VNC on the XP clients on the LAN

 

Which is the preferred version of VNC for Windows 7, or is there a better remote support tool, to assist the end user ?

[dan41322]

VNC was great for XP because it was free! But now with Windows 7 sadly you have to pay

 

I am not sure what other Free ones are out there... But I know of some other companies you could try that you have to pay for: Netop Remote Control, Ranger Remote Control, ERGO Free2Teach.

 

But they have loads of added extras for Teachers use so not sure that you would want those products if your just using it for Remote support.

 

Oh yeh we also use Teamviewer.. but again that is pay for, its a great support tool though!

[sted]

some versions of vnc work tight vnc seems to

[JonThompson]

We use AB Tutor Control, you have to pay for the teacher program, but the clients are free. http://abconsulting.com/

[Poults]

We run cc4 and use ultravnc.

[RTFM]

We use AB Tutor Control, you have to pay for the teacher program, but the clients are free. http://abconsulting.com/

 

Second this, a much cheaper option than some others.

 

If all you want it for is to do support, you would only need 1 license, say on a server or your own machine, then install the clients onto all your PC's. Done

[3s-gtech]

ABTC is good, but the performance on Windows 7 is rubbish compared to XP. They really need to sort their client software out.

[chazzy2501]

Windows Remote Assistance, is built into windows 7 and can be configured via GPO. You can use it like VNC.

 

This is where I first spotted it EDIT: (and it is perfect)

 

http://angrytechnician.wordpress.com/2010/01/22/help-users-over-the-phone-with-unsolicited-remote-assistance/

Edited January 18, 2012 by chazzy2501

[jamesbrown]

ABTC is good, has quite a lot of features. There is a new version that is coming out around April (v7) that will support Mac's too.

[jamesfed]

We do everything through the Microsoft Lync client and desktop sharing - its limited in that you cant use it to connect to PCs without end user input and forget about using it if a UAC prompt is involved but as a very quick and easy option using software we already actively use it makes sense

[jamesreedersmith]

Use UltraVNC

[carvjo]

Dameware - it's not free, but works perfectly.. and does lots of other things too..!

[FN-GM]

I use tight VNC becuase its support on lots of platforms. I use tight VNC. Here is a guide on how to deploy it network wide - http://www.edugeek.net/forums/network-classroom-management/74441-how-guide-deploy-vnc-via-group-policy.html

[jcs808]

I can't remember where I downloaded this from but have a look at the attached file. It works on Windows 7 & 2008 and doesn't need a client to be installed. The help menu explains how it works.

RemoteControl.zip

[matt40k]

CentraStage uses UltraVNC which works well.

[mulderite]

In the early deployment stages of Windows 7 here. Just to say we are successfully using TightVNC to connect to the clients.

[tbrown1965]

TightVNC works just fine.

[Valyyn]

On our current XP clients, we've been using TightVNC on teacher machines (we have Impero for the student machines). While working on this year's Win7 build though, I've been playing with Microsoft's built-in Offer Assistance which I've found really useful. It does require the teacher to accept your connection, but then it works brilliantly and lets you chat to the member of staff to ask questions and the like. It also lets you respond to UAC prompts with some GP tweaking.

[SYNACK]

Windows Remote Assistance, is built into windows 7 and can be configured via GPO. You can use it like VNC.

 

This is where I first spotted it EDIT: (and it is perfect)

 

Help users over the phone with Unsolicited Remote Assistance « The Angry Technician

 

Works fine and with XP to 7 http://www.edugeek.net/forums/coding/49448-easy-gui-remote-assistance-support.html

[russdev]

On our current XP clients, we've been using TightVNC on teacher machines (we have Impero for the student machines). While working on this year's Win7 build though, I've been playing with Microsoft's built-in Offer Assistance which I've found really useful. It does require the teacher to accept your connection, but then it works brilliantly and lets you chat to the member of staff to ask questions and the like. It also lets you respond to UAC prompts with some GP tweaking.

 

Just out of interest any reason not using Impero on the teachers machines?

 

Russell

[Valyyn]

Just out of interest any reason not using Impero on the teachers machines?

 

Russell

 

Well, we do have Impero installed on them to let them see and control the student machines in their room (and to let us run scripts etc easily on the fly) but all staff machines are in their own group which deny remote viewing and control because of Politics™, basically!

 

Edit to add:

Basically, staff didn't like the idea of being "spied on" - and although we can still easily connect without their knowledge with TightVNC, I guess the fact that with VNC we have to actually deliberately connect to their machine, rather than their screens just appearing in the "Entire Network" view made all the difference and Remote Assistance is even better in their eyes because they have to accept the connection!"

Edited March 2, 2012 by Valyyn
Added more info

[mrbios]

Combination of Impero and UltraVNC

 

UltraVNC is a backup to impero in we either don't have enough licenses for the amount of machines that are running or if the service/install breaks.

 

 

Well, we do have Impero installed on them to let them see and control the student machines in their room (and to let us run scripts etc easily on the fly) but all staff machines are in their own group which deny remote viewing and control because of Politics™, basically!

 

Edit to add:

Basically, staff didn't like the idea of being "spied on" - and although we can still easily connect without their knowledge with TightVNC, I guess the fact that with VNC we have to actually deliberately connect to their machine, rather than their screens just appearing in the "Entire Network" view made all the difference and Remote Assistance is even better in their eyes because they have to accept the connection!"

 

Why not just set them all to "Ask if allowed" that way they know if you're connecting.

Edited March 2, 2012 by mrbios

[Valyyn]

I've not really played with that in all honesty. The only thing is, when I view the Entire Network in Live Thumbnail view, will all the teachers suddenly get a popup asking them to allow it? Because I could see that getting very annoying if so! If it just denies when on live thumbnail view and only prompts when I actually click to view their machine in the popout then that could be good though - I think I might have a play after EOD today - thanks!

[mrbios]

I've not really played with that in all honesty. The only thing is, when I view the Entire Network in Live Thumbnail view, will all the teachers suddenly get a popup asking them to allow it? Because I could see that getting very annoying if so! If it just denies when on live thumbnail view and only prompts when I actually click to view their machine in the popout then that could be good though - I think I might have a play after EOD today - thanks!

 

That's an interesting point now that you mention it, hopefully @russdev might be able to answer that

[Duke5A]

I wound up writing my own launcher for TightVNC in VB .Net 2010. We're not in a position where we have to ask permission to take over a machine and this setup even works when the machine isn't logged in.