Matt over at Ostrich IT pointed me in the direction of a new VNC based Tool, CrossLoop.
CrossLoop is a very small download, and once installed and run enables a user to host a remote session (i.e. allow someone to remotely view their desktop) on his Windows PC by generating a Connection Key. The Remote User then drops that Connection Key into his local CrossLoop session, clicks Connect, and voila – a few seconds later you have a functioning VNC session!
No changes to any Firewall required – no fuss, no muss.
I’ve used UltraVNC before, but I feel it’s not a polished solution. Other free tools such as LogMeIn have their limitations such as requiring a fixed password.
I used CrossLoop for the first time today to help someone install a VPN client onto their Home PC. It was a Vista machine, but CrossLoop worked without a hitch, and made life so much easier than trying to talk the end-user through each part of the work required!
Richard Tubb is one of the best-known experts within the global IT Managed Service Provider (MSP) community. He launched and sold his own MSP business before creating a leading MSP media and consultancy practice. Richard helps IT business owner’s take back control by freeing up their time and building a business that can run without them. He’s the author of the book “The IT Business Owner’s Survival Guide” and writer of the award-winning blog www.tubblog.co.uk
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Comments
8 thoughts on How to Remote Control a PC with CrossLoop
STEVE
28TH JUNE 2007 17:33:39
Yeah, thanks for that Richard - couldn't have done it without you! I'll be using CrossLoop myself in future for sure.
RICHARD
28TH JUNE 2007 17:47:09
You're welcome Steve - it worked rather well didn't it? :-)
MRINAL
28TH JUNE 2007 20:03:01
Richard - a huuuuge thanks to you (and Matt :) from this small team at CrossLoop for blogging about your experience with CrossLoop. We appreciate the fact that you are bringing us to your blog readers!Stay close to our blog since we are testing something really exciting right now and hope to release it shortly.Thanks and stay in touch
MIKE
29TH JUNE 2007 07:07:17
Hi Rich, this may be a stupid question but as the remote end was Vista and your end was either Vista or Xp, why didn't you just use the inbuilt Remote Desktop Connection or Windows Remote Assistance to do this? Mike
RICHARD
29TH JUNE 2007 07:53:55
Hi Mike - RDP would have required TCP Port 3389 opening on the Firewall, as far as I'm aware. The 30 seconds it took to download and run CrossLoop made it a better option in this case IMO.
UNKNOWN
29TH JUNE 2007 15:25:46
Crossloop is definitely a good solution although for me it lacks of features. The ability to provide screen sharing is nice but there are other usefull things which might be needed by time. I for example need to conect to a server where nobody is attending and I use teamviewer for that. You can also share the desktop of your partner but there are some other nice tools like file transfer, chat, presentations, server mode....which are included. The tool is also for free use! www.teamviewer.com
EUGENE
5TH APRIL 2013 11:24:48
This is also good. The software works well, Ammyy Admin doesn't require installation or specific config, works behind gateways NAT as well as within one LAN.
RICHARD TUBB
5TH APRIL 2013 18:08:55
Thanks for the tip Eugene!