Advertisement Do you want to share your Windows screen with a friend or colleague so they can troubleshoot technical issues? Perhaps you want to access your Windows desktop from your tablet to watch a movie in bed? It’s easier than ever to get You don't need to buy a remote, if you have a smartphone!

Control your home computer from the comfort of your couch, even if it's hundreds of miles away., with many free tools available. Let me introduce you to seven of the best. If you know about a great tool I’ve not covered, make sure you leave your suggestion in the comments.

TeamViewer is perhaps the most well-known of all the third-party tools available. It’s over 10 years old and has a loyal base of users.

Splashtop again optimizes the desktop resolution for the iPad, but it’s easy to turn that off, and the app remembers your preferences for each computer. Feature rich and easy to work with administration application Working with Remote Desktop Manager Enterprise Edition is not the easiest thing that you can do on your Mac, but its well-organized interface and easy accessible functions will make it so that you don’t need a large amounts of time before getting to grips with it.

It doesn’t just specialize in. The software also lets users transfer files between connected PCs, conduct web conferences, and make online presentations. By default, you need to enter a PIN code to connect to someone else’s machine.

However, if you regularly connect to the same group of computers you can create a group within your account, thus allowing one-click access. Unlike some of its competitors, the software also allows group sessions. When in a group session, you can easily pass control of a machine between users, rather than only allowing a one-way session. Best for: All-around screen-sharing and remote-access. Chrome Remote Desktop has one glaring drawback – both computers need to have the Chrome browser installed. If you use an alternative browser, you should look elsewhere.

However, if you use Chrome and you’re looking for an easy-to-set-up, no frills remote access tool, you would struggle to find a better option. Install the extension from the Chrome Web Store, connect the two PCs using the automatically-generated access code, and you’ll be up and running in seconds. You can permanently link together two computers if you need regular access. Google has aimed the software at home users who need to do some quick troubleshooting; it lacks the advanced features of some of the other options on this list.

Windows media player for mac download software. Best for: Quickly troubleshooting Granny’s laptop. Microsoft Remote Desktop Microsoft Remote Desktop is Windows’ Windows has many hidden features for power users. This guide will explain how you can share exactly what’s on your screen.

Find out how to screenshot, screencast and screenshare using Windows tools. It uses the propriety Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) technology and is supported by all versions of Windows and lots of third-party tools and apps. Even though Microsoft has built it into Windows, it’s not the easiest (or best) option for a lot of people.

Its biggest problem is that RDP servers are only available on Windows Pro and above; you won’t be able to connect to anyone who is running the Home version of the operating system. Beginners might find the app difficult to set up. If you want to connect to machines outside your home network, you need to know the IP address of the person you want to connect to and configure their router to accept incoming remote desktop connections.

Ultimately, it’s important to understand Microsoft Remote Desktop is designed for office use, not home use. If you want to troubleshoot a family member’s PC, look elsewhere.

Best for: Using in a small office environment. Splashtop is only free when you’re accessing other devices on your home network.

If you want remote access, you’ll need to cough up $16.99 for the Anywhere Access Pack. However, if your sole aim is to access your Windows machine from another part of your home on a tablet or smaller netbook, this is the best solution. It excels at streaming video over the connection; the visuals are smooth, audio is crisp, and there are no lag times. Therefore, it’s perfect if you want to saved on your desktop. You won’t have to deal with compatibility problems, transferring files, or memory issues. Best for: Streaming video from Windows to a tablet on your home network.