How to share your PC screen on the Net

You are not very familiar with technology and every time you have a problem with your PC you have to go to your “super tech” friend. He’s tremendously good, but he’s also super busy. In short, it is clear that he does not always have the time to give you a hand. Yes, okay, let’s face it: it is clear that for him it is a bit of a nuisance having to come to your house every time to fix the problems you have with the computer; But it is undeniable that, this time, you really need help.

How do you say? Would you like to get by on your own but don’t know where to put your hands? Is your PC all but showing error messages and are you just panicking? But no, rest assured, there is no need to fret! Come on, pick up the phone and call your friend to let him take a look at what you’ve been up to. How do you say? Do you already know that she will find an excuse not to come to your house? Well, put him on the spot: talk to him about the possibility of offering you remote assistance.

Didn’t your friend know that you can share your PC screen over the network ? Don’t worry, now I’m here and I can help you. Take a few minutes of free time and carefully read the instructions I will give you in this tutorial. I will point out some very interesting tools for remote assistance, which you can tell your friend about. I wish you a good read.

Index

• Programs to share your PC screen on the network
  • TeamViewer (Windows / macOS / Linux / Android / iOS)
  • AnyDesk (Windows / macOS / Linux / Android / iOS)
• Other programs to share your PC screen on the network

Programs to share your PC screen on the network

If you want to know the programs that you can use on your computer to share the screen of your PC on the network , I suggest you read carefully all the solutions that I have proposed to you in the next chapters.

TeamViewer (Windows / macOS / Linux / Android / iOS)

A free solution with lots of features to share your PC screen on the network is the one offered by TeamViewer . It can be downloaded to both computers and mobile devices. However, I remind you that the use of this software is free for personal use only; in case of commercial use, you will need to purchase a license for use, starting from 29.90 euros / month.

To start downloading this program, go to its official website and click on the icon for the operating system you are using on your PC. You can choose whether to download it on your computer with Windows operating system or on macOS , Linux or Chrome OS or on Raspberry Pi . Furthermore, if you are away from home and need to connect via mobile device to your computer, you can download the app for Android (also available on alternative stores ) or for iOS / iPadOS .

I propose below the procedure for use on Windows and macOS. In case your needs are different – for example if you have to connect via mobile device – you can still refer to the guide that I will propose to you, as the procedures for use are very similar.

On Windows , after downloading the .exe file , double-click on it and select one of the options on the screen. You can choose whether to proceed immediately to use the software without installing it ( Start only ) or to install it on your computer. In the latter case, you have two options: Install with default settings or Install and configure unattended access to this device .

By “unattended access” we mean the possibility to set a password to be used every time you want to access TeamViewer on that PC remotely, since with the basic settings you always have a new password automatically generated at each start of the software. However, I point out that it is possible at any time to set a static password to TeamViewer from its settings panel.

If you have decided to install it, you will have to wait for the procedure to complete and then select the item I want to use the free version for personal use . In case you just want to run it without installing, simply hit the Yes button in the Windows User Account Control panel instead . Upon first launching the software, accept the terms of use to view the main screen.

On Mac , on the other hand, after downloading and starting the .dmg file , double-click on the Install TeamViewer icon inside it and then press the Open button . Therefore accept the terms of use of the software and press the Continue and OK buttons . In the installation box, then press the Continue and Install buttons , enter the Mac password and click the Install software button . At this point, at the end of the procedure, press the Close and Move buttons .

Now, among the options that are shown to you on the screen, select the option I want to use the free version for personal use and press the Continue and End buttons . At this point, a new screen will ask you for permissions to access the operating system features. What you need to do is follow the instructions on the screen and then press the Close button .

After installing TeamViewer on your computer, it’s time to see how to use it. First, on its main screen, write down your ID and the password associated with it. They are located exactly in the Allow remote control section . These data are essential as they must be entered every time you want to access the aforementioned computer remotely.

However, in case you often connect to that computer, I suggest you set a static password, as the default password is regenerated every time you close and open the program. However, this feature is only available if you have installed the software. Go to the Extras> Options> Advanced items and type a password in the Personal password section . Then confirm the new configuration by pressing the OK button .

Now that you have configured the computer you want to access remotely, let’s move on to the next step, which is to install TeamViewer on another device . Again, you need to download TeamViewer from one of the sources indicated on the official website . In case it is another Windows PC or a Mac, you can follow the same instructions that I have already mentioned in the previous paragraphs.

In the TeamViewer main screen, on the computer from which you want to log in remotely, in the Partner ID field you have to enter the ID you previously wrote down. Then press the Connect button and type the password associated with that ID. The essential requirement, for everything to go smoothly, is that the two devices are turned on and with an active Internet connection; also, TeamViewer must be open on the computer you want to connect to, otherwise the connection attempt will fail.

When the connection is successful and you will see the desktop of the other PC, it will mean that the procedure I have indicated has been successful. You can then move the other user’s mouse and type text using your keyboard. Keep in mind that if the other interlocutor also moves the mouse or type with his keyboard, then the commands will overlap, resulting in a bad sharing experience.

In the top bar you can instead view the tools at your disposal for screen sharing. In fact, you can change the resolution of the desktop, decrease or improve the transmission quality. You can also start text or VoIP conversations with the other party or even transfer files. To close the broadcast, simply click on the X in the TeamViewer window.

AnyDesk (Windows / macOS / Linux / Android / iOS)

AnyDesk is a free solution for non-commercial use that allows you to share your PC screen over the network without complicated configurations or unnecessary waste of time. For commercial use, it is necessary to subscribe to a subscription plan starting from 9.90 euros / month.

Using it, those on the other side will be able to view your PC screen remotely and interact with it using the appropriate client for PC and for smartphones and tablets. through the appropriate download section on the official website , you can download the AnyDesk client compatible with Windows , macOS , Linux , Chrome OS and Raspberry Pi . The mobile app is available for Android (also on alternative stores ) and for iOS / iPadOS .

When the download is complete, if you use Windows , simply double-click on the .exe file obtained, to start the program and start using it without performing any installation. On Mac , on the other hand, after opening the .dmg file obtained, move the AnyDesk icon to the Applications folder and that’s it. You can then control the Mac, on the main screen of the program you have to press on the item sets and provide access to some functions of the system via check in System Preferences .

To use AnyDesk, all you have to do is enter the ID in the text field of the Remote Device section . This value can be found in the AnyDesk main screen on the computer you want to control: it is exactly in the This Device section .

After entering the ID , press the Connect button . A new screen is shown on the PC you want to connect to, notifying you of the remote connection attempt. What you have to do is press the Accept button and that’s it!

If you have followed my directions to the letter, you will be shown a new screen where you will see the desktop of the remote PC. All the features you need to interact with the latter are found in the top bar. Although not all the functions of the software I told you about in the previous chapter are available , it is still a good free alternative.

Other programs to share your PC screen on the network

In addition to the software I told you about in the previous paragraphs, there are also other valid alternatives. Then continue reading the next lines: I will list some useful software to share your PC screen on the network .

• LogMeIn– is a paid software (starting from 30 euros / month) for devices with Windows, macOS and Linux operating systems. You can download a free, limited-time version from the website so you can evaluate all of its features. It is also available on mobile devices running Android and iOS / iPadOS .
• Microsoft Remote Desktop– If you want a free alternative tool instead, I recommend this program made by Microsoft. It will allow you to remotely connect to a PC or server with a Windows operating system. The connection can also be via mobile, via the dedicated app, available on the Play Store for Android, on ‘ App Store iOS / iPadOS and the Mac App Store .
• Apple Remote Desktop– This is the official macOS client for remote control of other Macs. The use of this application developed by Apple requires the purchase of a license at a cost of 79.99 euros.
• ShowMyPC– continuing to talk about free software, I can then recommend the use of ShowMyPC. This program is available (in Java) for all platforms, Windows, macOS and Linux. There is also a client dedicated only to computers with Windows operating system. The use of this program is free but only if you are making a strictly personal use. For commercial use, it is required that the purchase of a license of use starting from 14 dollars / month.
• Chrome Remote Desktop– Finally, if you are looking for an even simpler tool than the ones mentioned (and which is completely free) then I recommend you turn to Chrome Remote Desktop. This desktop sharing tool is available via extension and must be used via the Chrome browser. This tool is compatible with all devices: Windows, macOS and Linux operating systems. Also, if you are not in front of a computer, you can use the application, to control a computer from Android or from iOS / iPadOS .