TeamViewer Review

TeamViewer is a free remote access program filled with features you don't normally find in similar products. It's very easy to use and works on pretty much any device.

You can download and use TeamViewer on a Windows, Mac, Linux, or mobile device.

Read on for more on all the details about TeamViewer, what I think about the program, and a quick tutorial on how it works.

More About TeamViewer

• TeamViewer is available for Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, and 2000, as well as Windows Home Server, Windows Server 2012, 2008, 2003, and 2000
• It works on Mac and Linux operating systems, plus Android, Windows Phone, iOS, and BlackBerry mobile devices
• If you have an iOS device, you can share your screen with a remote TeamViewer user. Just install TeamViewer QuickSupport and then turn on screen recording
• You can remotely reboot a computer into Safe Mode and then automatically reconnect with TeamViewer
• No router configurations are necessary to setup TeamViewer
• A remote installation of TeamViewer can be updated with ease
• Remote sessions can be recorded to a video file so you can easily review it later
• TeamViewer can share a single application window or the entire desktop with another user
• Files, images, text, folders, and screenshots can be transferred to and from two computers using either the file transfer tool in TeamViewer or the regular clipboard function
• Files can also be transferred through TeamViewer
• A whiteboard lets you draw and highlight objects on a remote screen
• A remote system information tool is included to easily see the basic hardware, OS, and network information of the computer you're connected to
• TeamViewer can be used as a portable program for quick access or installed to always accept remote connections

Pros & Cons

As is probably obvious, there's a lot to like about TeamViewer:

Pros:

• Completely free to use
• Supports chat (text, video, and voice over IP)
• Remote printing is allowed
• Supports Wake-on-LAN (WOL)
• No port forwarding configurations are necessary
• Spontaneous support
• Works with multiple monitors
• Can start and join meetings
• Portable version is available so no install is required
• Can control a remote computer through the desktop program, a mobile device, or an Internet browser

Cons:

• Can not be used for free in commercial settings
• Might stop working if it thinks you're using it for commercial reasons
• The "permanent" ID number might change unexpectedly

How TeamViewer Works

TeamViewer has a couple different downloads you can use to access a remote computer, but they both work nearly the same. You would choose one over the other based on your needs.

Each TeamViewer install will give out a unique ID number that's tied to that computer. It actually never changes even if you update or reinstall TeamViewer. It's this ID number you'll share with another TeamViewer user so they can access your computer.

The full version of TeamViewer is absolutely free and is the program you need to install if you wish to set up a computer for constant remote access so you can always make a connection when you're away from it, otherwise known as unattended access.

You can log into your TeamViewer account so that you can easily keep track of the remote computers you have access to.

For instant, spontaneous support, you can use TeamViewer QuickSupport. This version of TeamViewer is portable, so you can run it quickly and immediately capture the ID number so you can share it with someone else.

If you're helping out a friend or family member, the easiest solution would be for them to install the QuickSupport program. When they launch it, they'll be shown an ID number and password that they must share with you.

You can connect to the QuickSupport computer with either the full program or the QuickSupport version—they both allow remote connections to be established. So you can actually both install the portable version and still make a solid connection with each other, which would result in the quickest method of remote access for both parties.

If you're looking to set up unattended access to connect to your own computer when away, you just need to setup an admin password in TeamViewer that never changes. Once that's completed, you just have to sign on to your account from a browser, mobile device, or computer with TeamViewer installed to make the connection.

Thoughts on TeamViewer

TeamViewer has been one of my favorite remote desktop programs for a while. The QuickSupport version is so simple and easy to use, it's always my first suggestion when providing remote support to anyone, and it's one of the only remote access programs that lets you remotely view the screen of an iPhone or iPad.

The fact that TeamViewer doesn't require you to set up port forwards is a solid plus because most people won't want to go to the hassle to configure router changes to accept remote connections. On top of that, all that has to be shared is the ID and password that's clearly seen when you first open the program, so it's rather simple for everyone to use.

If you're looking to always have access to your own computer from afar, TeamViewer doesn't fall short with this demand either. You can setup TeamViewer so you can always make a connection to it, which is wonderful if you need to exchange files or view a program on your computer when away from it.

One thing I don't like all that much about TeamViewer is that the browser version is difficult to use. While it is possible to connect to another computer through a browser with TeamViewer, it's just not as effortless as it is with the desktop version. However, I can hardly complain because there is a desktop version available and it is easy to use.

Something else about TeamViewer that seems to stop most people from using it (and why we don't recommend it above other remote access tools) is that it might suspect that you're using the program for commercial reasons even when you're not, and will thus stop working until you pay for it. The only other solution you have if that happens is to fill out this Personal Use Verification form.

As mentioned above, another odd glitch in this program is that it might one day change your ID number, making it impossible to access your computer remotely unless you know the updated number. This is probably a rare occurrence, but one you should be aware of.