Have you ever wondered if there was a way to control your friend’s computer from overseas?
TeamViewer made it possible to do that. (In fact, you could control any other computer in the world, as if you are sitting in front of it.)
Why it is useful
Team Collaboration
Your friend wants to redesign his blog. But he doesn’t know how to. This is where TeamViewer comes in handy. In case you do not know, TeamViewer also lets you chat with your friend (You could also use an instant messenger).
After you have gained access to your friend’s computer, you help your friend redesign his blog. At the same time, teaching him. You can also discuss if you have a suggestion for your friend.
It would be like virtually sitting next to each other.
Training
If your friend does not know how to use Photoshop to edit a picture, you could use TeamViewer to teach him how. When you are editing the picture, your friend could see what you are doing, and learn.
File Transferring
With TeamViewer, you can transfer a file from your computer, to your friend’s. You can transfer it to exactly where you want it to be, too.
How
After you install TeamViewer, you would get an ID number. Each time you open TeamViewer, it automatically generates a password. You can also create your own password.
So, how does it work?
Firstly, ask your friend for his ID and password. Your friend must leave TeamViewer on in order for you to gain access to his computer. Then, select ‘Remote support’ and type your friend’s ID. After connecting, TeamViewer will request your friend’s password. After you’ve entered the password, a window showing the screen of your friend’s computer will open. Then, you can control your friend’s computer.
Of course, your friend would have the highest priority. Once your friend controls, you wouldn’t be able to control.
To disable you from controlling his computer anymore, your friend would have to click the small window near the taskbar, and then the X button.
Presentation
If you want to ‘show off’ your presentation to your friend, this feature is for you. To use this feature, select ‘Presentation’ before clicking ‘Connect to Partner’.
But this is different. Instead of seeing your friend’s screen, your friend would see your screen. Your friend can not control your computer. Instead, a big blue mouse would appear in your screen. When your friend clicks on your screen, the the big blue mouse would move there.
In this feature, the quality of the partner’s screen is enhanced, to make the presentation clearer.
File transfer
You can also transfer files from your computer to your friend’s using TeamViewer. To use this feature, click ‘File transfer’ before clicking ‘Connect to Partner’.
Your friend would then receive a message, asking him whether to let you transfer files to his computer, or not. He has 10 seconds to approve. When the time runs out, the request would be denied.
If your friend accepts the request, you will see the directory of files and folders in you and your friend’s computer. You can transfer your file to wherever you want in your friend’s computer.
How I Use Teamviewer
I use TeamViewer for team collaboration.
Sometimes, my friend from overseas need help with his blog. But I am not the administrator of the blog, so I couldn’t help him. Fortunately, he has TeamViewer, too. I then gained access to his computer. He is already logged in to his blog as the administrator. I then helped him with his blog.
One day, I wanted to show to my friend a powerpoint presentation. So, we logged in to Teamviewer and he could see the presentation.
Download
If you want to download TeamViewer for free, go to its website, Teamviewer.com.
If you already use TeamViewer, how and why do you use it?
seems to be great, especially for those who are in charge of technical support services or mobile people. Now I wonder why such a useful and brilliant service should be free?!
Actually, there are free and paid versions of TeamViewer. The paid versions have more features and enhancements.
But I think the free version is enough for me.
This seems great. Looks like it would be very useful as a tool to teach computer programs long distance. Even Excel or Access or something like that.
Thanks for pointing this out.
Cheers
In the market, there is a lot of so called remote desktop connection over the internet or via LAN (Local Area Network)such as TeamViewer, VNC, Net Meeting… even your YM, MSN could do that also.
Why I need TeamViewer? very simple, I use to remote back to my office for support and troubleshooting specially at night or during weekend. But the bad thing is once the other parties PC been logout, you are never can get access to it.
.-= Simon Liew´s last blog ..Instant Multiplication (Part 1) =-.
Hehe. That’s a pretty good idea of yours to use Teamviewer! So do you mean you leave the computers in your office on all the time?
Yup, PC in the office have to turn On for 24×7 🙂 As mention, PC must be ready in use condition, cannot fall into sleep or standby mode.
.-= Simon Liew´s last blog ..Instant Multiplication (Part 1) =-.
I know that with Radmin software you can turn on and shut down remote PC if this PC supports Intel AMT Technology. That is really great! I don’t know any other program with this feature.
Before, I use TeamViewer to have a battle with my friend on a video game called “Frets On Fire”. Well, I use it according to the manual provided.
Great points – this is just a quick note to say there are alternatives to TeamViewer that, some would say, are easier to use, etc. One such alternative is NTRsupportPro – powerful and easy. Always nice to have some alternatives.
Having tried out a number of remote desktop products I agree that Teamviewer was the best. Unfortunately, I found that it logged me off after approximately 15 minutes (I believe this is due to the fact that it is for non commercial use only).
After spending a lot of time looking for an alternative (I would like to be able to help friends as well as, potentially, clients), I found something called Mikogo. It, like Teamviewer seems fairly easy to use and it is completely free. Additionally, it like Teamviewer has a portable version which does not require installation.
Hope this info helps!
Hi there! Very cool information. I’m gonna try out Mikogo. Thanks for sharing 🙂 .
Ya i have used TeamViewer its really very helpful software, we can access others/ friends computer for any problem or to solve the problem with the help of TeamViewer, just by login in it.
Yeah, I really agree with you. Teamviewer has been a great help to me. My favorite feature is the file transfer. Now you don’t need flash drives 🙂
Just an update from my last comment a while back. These days I use both Teamviewer and Mikogo. I tend to use Teamviewer whenever possible as it seems to be the fastest remote software out there. For commercial uses I still recommend Mikogo (although I have found that when using it, it is best to display monochrome (shades of grey) and hide the desktop’s background).
Anyways, just an update.
Overall, I agree with you – in terms of feature set and most importantly speed – Teamviewer is number 1 as of right now.
Hi! Nice to see you again! 🙂 Thanks for the update and tips! Cool, I didn’t know that Mikogo can display monochrome! Thanks for the advice..
Yeah, I agree with you. I think Teamviewer is the best overall! 🙂
Cheers!
Gloson
I just hear of TeamViewer. Six months ago I leased a turn-key built out store which includes the point-of-sale computer. When I started to set up Outlook express I saw that the former business owner left their account on the computer and also to their IPhone. I have wondered if they somehow may have spyware or some netwoking program in use, making my computer access at risk. Do you know aything about it and if something like TeamViewer could be being used? I am extremely low tech. Thanks for any insight.
We use logmein.com at work to help clients setting up their email, cms, etc – this looks pretty good though, and I’ll be looking into it as a viable option.
Well thanks for discussing this topic as I was having a prolonged concern about it as one of my friend use my laptop to connect to her friend using team viewer. Is there any issue like with my security or anything else that can be breached by her friend?