Is there a more lightweight solution? Like, some ssh frontend? I’d like to help my mom cleaning up her Windows computer because she’s not very tech savvy. I can of course just screen share on some messaging app but it’d save so much time if I could have control.
I’m not going to be reacting to answers advising me to install a Windows esque distro on her computer.
For seamless window integration : xpra
Many solutions exist, rdp clients aren’t exactly rare. I’m personally using xfreerdp for the extensive options: I can connect to a Windows system (at work) and have it be full screen on 2 of my 3 local monitors. It’s fast, reliable and just works honestly.
But what you seem to be looking for is something more like RustDesk or vnc. You want to look at and help with an existing session. If you connect with remote desktop, the local monitor gets locked, so you can only take over, but not show or help. VNC over the open Internet is generally not a great idea for security, but wire guard exists, as does TailScale and/or NetBird which means you don’t need to expose it. So that also works.
Cool! Lot of protocols covered! Thanks! 🙂
I use Remmina to take over Windows PCs but since it’s RDP it will lock the device. If you want the other person to be able to follow along I recommend rustdesk.
I second RustDesk it’s stupidly easy to self-host too. I’ve been running it now 3 or 4 years and I would be lost without it.
What does “lock” mean here? Would her screen turn dark or freeze with RDP?
It’ll go to the lock screen and eventually go dark. RDP (on Windows) doesn’t let you share screens/controls, AFAIK.
Rdp would immediately sign her out and she’d be staring at the logon screen while you worked. She couldn’t see what you’re doing.
I think it just locks the input.
I use rustdesk to control my debian jellyfin server from my windows gaming laptop.
Windows has an RDP server installed by default so any Linux RDP client will work (Remmina for example), just need to configure Windows to allow those incoming connections.
But RDP won’t do screen-sharing, if you need that specifically look at installing a VNC server onto the Windows system, or look at stuff like Rustdesk.
if you need those connections to be more secure you’ll want to look at adding VPN or SSH possibly.
For what it’s worth Windows does sort of have a RDP screen sharing feature, I think it comes up as Quick Assist on Windows, but that works through Microsoft Account / servers and wouldn’t do connections from Linux AFAIK.
It’s worth pointing out that Home editions of Windows don’t allow you to enable the RDP server without doing some janky stuff.
My go-to recommendation would be rustdesk.
Thanks! Seems to be popular! 🙂
+1 for rustdesk. been using it on win 10/11, mint, and android for a few years now and no issues. you can set up your own server for connection facilitation or use theirs.
Chrome Remote Desktop works if she uses the Chrome browser and you only need occasional control when she present to authorize you getting access to her computer.
Assuming you have an existing VPN to her network, then any RDP client will work.
Remmina is the best remote client out there right now. Will work fine. Should be available everywhere.
I do not have a VPN set up (yet). Gosh… Am I supposed to learn wireguarding on windows now?🤣 kidding. Thanks!
For this kind of thing I like using zerotier, instead of a VPN.
I’ll check it out! Thanks!
Remmina as mentioned already. You can script it and run it in kiosk mode or a wm like open box
In your situation tail scale and remmina will be enough.
you could slap some kind of vnc solution in there… maybe hafta open a port on her router
Bonus points if you connect to the server with SSH, and then forward the vnc server port to your local machine and VNC there, that way you’re not relying on VNC for authentication
Thanks! I’ll look up vnc. Don’t know what that is. 😅
Well I’ll be damned. 2001? Good year too! 🤣 thanks!
@akunohana I last used it about twenty years ago. I notice it is no longer supported.
Still works once you can get it to connect, though. The catch is that connecting can take several tries. Probably better to use remmina unless there’s a bug in freerdp that’s causing problems for your use case (rdesktop is, I believe, the only Linux rdp client that uses its own protocol implementation instead of the freerdp library).
Yeah, just saw it. It’s the thought that counts though! Thanks! 🙂
VNC, and friends.
VNC server on her computer. VNC client on your computer. Make sure password is very strong since you’re opening this to the wider internet. Open a port for VNC to pass through on your moms router (and possibly your own as well), and then connect remotely.
TigerVNC seems to be available for all platforms, including Windows and Linux. TigerVNC includes a server and client. (Client is sometimes called “viewer.”)
Bonus points if you encapsulate VNC in SSH, which would help keep your session secure regardless of the VNC password length
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Initiate a ssh session with -L 5900:server name:5900
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Start a vnc server on the server
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Connect to vnc on localhost:5900 and authenticate
Best advice that I forgot to include because it’s been a while since I needed VNC for anything. @[email protected], please follow @[email protected]’s advice here!
Mighty! Thank you both! 😊
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Cool! Thanks for the explanation too! I generate all my passwords with Keepass with word lengths that make a lot of systems scream upon decryption, so I think I’ll be fine lol. I’m challenging YOU, triple letter agency… 👀
