Can I control a PC from a laptop??

shellman · 15 Jan 2011

Well this is my idea but I don't know where to ask just here I think.
I want to use another computer and have this laptop. I don't care about performance on this, just like the idea. Can I connect via ethernet the laptop and the PC and use the pc from my laptop ?

eldinv · 15 Jan 2011

Can you explain a little more clearly what your looking to do?

Kari · 15 Jan 2011

Hi Shellman, welcome to the Seven Forums.

You can use built-in Windows feature called Remote Desktop Connection or similar third party applications to remotely control another PC. Read this tutorial to start familiarizing with the subject: Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) - Network

Kari

nitroman84 · 15 Jan 2011

If windows built in tools do not suit your needs there is a free program named TeamViewer. This program is available at no cost for non commercial use and allows for full remote control of a computer via the Internet or local network. Another option is RealVNC, there is also a free version of this program but in my personal opinion it is not as good as the free version of TeamViewer.

nitroman84 · 15 Jan 2011

It is also worth noting if you are behind a router port forwarding would be needed in some cases.

Stratos · 15 Jan 2011

I'm new here so please pardon my attempt at providing some clarification.

First of all RDC (Remote Desktop Connection) is a great choice if you're trying to connect to your Desktop Computer (which might be in a different room) from your laptop in your home. The key thing here is you're on the LAN side (internal) of your router. You're not trying to connect to the desktop from the laptop over the internet (in which case using a different app would make it a lot more simple, explained below). It'll involve creating a user name and password on the Desktop computer and you'll need to set the permissions for it (like Full Access, Read Only, etc.) Again keep in mind RDC is great for the LAN-side of the router.

If you want to access your desktop via the internet (for example your desktop's at home and your laptop's at work), the best app to use is Teamviewer and it's free and very simple to use. What's great about it is you don't need to configure your firewall to accommodate Teamviewer and while you "can" use RDC to connect via the internet, the process isn't nearly as easy AND it can fail if your home's IP changes (since most home internet IP's are not Static).

GL with your configuration.

shellman · 15 Jan 2011

Thanks everyone!! Teamviewer seems not o heavy to download I'll check RDC first

DocBrown · 15 Jan 2011

Here is my link on TeamViewer

TeamViewer

shellman · 15 Jan 2011

nitroman84 said:

It is also worth noting if you are behind a router port forwarding would be needed in some cases.

I'm not sure of what you say. Do you mean I still need a router, that I can't connect the computers directly one to another?

nitroman84 · 15 Jan 2011

shellman said:

nitroman84 said:

It is also worth noting if you are behind a router port forwarding would be needed in some cases.

I'm not sure of what you say. Do you mean I still need a router, that I can't connect the computers directly one to another?

No direct connection, but if the computer you are trying to control is connected to the network behind a router in some cases you would need to tell that router to listen for a request on a certain port number (like 80) and forward that connection on to the controlled pc.