A family member is overwhelmed with their Windows 11 computer.
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A family member is overwhelmed with their Windows 11 computer. I'm far away but would like to help remotely if possible. Which tool would be best to log into their machine and help them out through the internet? Ideally I'd see their screen and take control when necessary.I know Teams can do that, but is there an open source equivalent?
[Edit] I'm on Linux, I don't run Windows 11.
@82mhz A friend of mine recently used https://rustdesk.com/ to support their parents. I think you can even use their server free of charge but I am not 100% sure. I have configured a server for him. Its all open source.
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A family member is overwhelmed with their Windows 11 computer. I'm far away but would like to help remotely if possible. Which tool would be best to log into their machine and help them out through the internet? Ideally I'd see their screen and take control when necessary.I know Teams can do that, but is there an open source equivalent?
[Edit] I'm on Linux, I don't run Windows 11.
@82mhz
I haven't done remote support for a while but perhaps you can get the client to turn on Remote Desktop Support and them use Remina to connect to it ... ?
Solve PC problems remotely with Remote Assistance - Microsoft Support
Remote Assistance lets someone you trust take over your Windows 10 PC and fix a problem from wherever they are.
(support.microsoft.com)
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A family member is overwhelmed with their Windows 11 computer. I'm far away but would like to help remotely if possible. Which tool would be best to log into their machine and help them out through the internet? Ideally I'd see their screen and take control when necessary.I know Teams can do that, but is there an open source equivalent?
[Edit] I'm on Linux, I don't run Windows 11.
Wish I could help and also wish you luck. I know that thing of talking someone through on the phone. I feel the pain.
My problem resolved when I installed Linux on their computer and then moved in to be on sight tech support.
Turned out good for me as a retired person with no other ties. -
@82mhz A friend of mine recently used https://rustdesk.com/ to support their parents. I think you can even use their server free of charge but I am not 100% sure. I have configured a server for him. Its all open source.
-
A family member is overwhelmed with their Windows 11 computer. I'm far away but would like to help remotely if possible. Which tool would be best to log into their machine and help them out through the internet? Ideally I'd see their screen and take control when necessary.I know Teams can do that, but is there an open source equivalent?
[Edit] I'm on Linux, I don't run Windows 11.
@82mhz Is Chrome remote desktop still a thing? Last I used it I think it was similar to a Zoom call, but for the desktop and can allow the remote user to take control. Not open source, but easier for remote party as they might have chrome installed already.
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@82mhz Is Chrome remote desktop still a thing? Last I used it I think it was similar to a Zoom call, but for the desktop and can allow the remote user to take control. Not open source, but easier for remote party as they might have chrome installed already.
@cinimodev Never heard of this before honestly... I just checked, it seems to still exist, but it requires a google account to work
So many things are "make an account here, log in, give us all your data", it's crazy... -
Wish I could help and also wish you luck. I know that thing of talking someone through on the phone. I feel the pain.
My problem resolved when I installed Linux on their computer and then moved in to be on sight tech support.
Turned out good for me as a retired person with no other ties.@ajlewis2
Tech support through the phone is indeed not great... but moving in with my parents is also not an option for me, so I need a remote solution
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A family member is overwhelmed with their Windows 11 computer. I'm far away but would like to help remotely if possible. Which tool would be best to log into their machine and help them out through the internet? Ideally I'd see their screen and take control when necessary.I know Teams can do that, but is there an open source equivalent?
[Edit] I'm on Linux, I don't run Windows 11.
@thorsten @jason @SethBrown @rl_dane @alecsargent @clayton
Hey everyone, thanks for the suggestions! Rustdesk sounds good, I'll have a look at this

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A family member is overwhelmed with their Windows 11 computer. I'm far away but would like to help remotely if possible. Which tool would be best to log into their machine and help them out through the internet? Ideally I'd see their screen and take control when necessary.I know Teams can do that, but is there an open source equivalent?
[Edit] I'm on Linux, I don't run Windows 11.
HelpWire
https://www.helpwire.app/
It is not open source, but is easy and free to start using. I was able to remote into clients Windows computers from my Linux (Debian) computer and it worked pretty well.
If you do set up RustDesk, let us know how it worked for you. -
HelpWire
https://www.helpwire.app/
It is not open source, but is easy and free to start using. I was able to remote into clients Windows computers from my Linux (Debian) computer and it worked pretty well.
If you do set up RustDesk, let us know how it worked for you.@matthew
Thanks! I'll have a look at it. -
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