How to get the most benefit from remote access computer software

I have written several times about alternatives to GoToMyPC but as a general rule, I recommend GoToMyPC, because that’s the remote access computer software I use and like. It does what I need, in a way that makes me feel safe accessing my PC from other locations.

However, I thought I might try out some more alternatives and even give LogMeIn another try so I can better compare the services in a new article that is more up-to-date.

I hope to do that soon and post an updated article about more remote access options.

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You can now get a GoToMyPC app for your Android tablet. If you already have your GoToMyPC subscription you can get the app on the Android Market.

I’ve written previously why I’m excited about a GoToMyPC Android App. I’m not as excited by the prospect of having GoToMyPC on my Android phone, but there’s no doubt that the app for Android tablets will be very practical and useful. Those are two very different types of devices after all!

Important, this is a free app, not a free version of the GoToMyPC program unless you take advantage of the 30 day free trial!

This is a great app to use for remote access to your computer, and it’s already getting nice reviews even though it’s only been in the Android Market for a few days.

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Yesterday, I got the notice that GoToMyPC finally has an app available for the iPhone!

I’m excited more for the fact that it means GoToMyPC is going to mobile phones than for the fact that there’s an iPhone app for GoToMyPC. I think a GoToMyPC Android App is probably not too far away at this point. There’s been an iPad app for a while, and now that the iPhone app is out of the way, maybe the developers can spend some time getting the Android app for GoToMyPC ready to go.

Right now, you can get the GoToMyPC iPhone app at no cost from the App Store, just click the App Store button above. However, it won’t do anything for you without a subscription to GoToMyPC, which you can try free. If you need a good solution for remote access to your computer from multiple locations, GoToMyPC is a great paid solution. I like it for a number of reasons, which I detail in several different articles.

I think it should be said that the mobile phone apps for GoToMyPC might not be the most useful incarnation of the GoToMyPC software, but as an add-on extra to your regular subscription which you will likely use to access your computer remotely from another computer, having and using the iPhone app could be a great little in-a-pinch way to get connected and take care of important and urgent tasks when there’s just no other way for remote computer access. Or, frankly, if you really want to be dis-connected but have to have remote access options in case of a work emergency. And finally, for those who just can’t really leave work behind but don’t want to haul around a laptop or tablet computer everywhere they go. Then, the iPhone app for GoToMyPC might really be more than just an add-on to the regular remote access computer software.

Click here to get the GoToMyPC iPhone app on the App Store or subscribe to GoToMyPC first if you don’t have it.

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Now that it’s getting some age on it, the GoToMyPC iPad app has gotten a lot of the kinks worked out. At this moment in time, the iPad app has a 4 1/2 star rating. Click here if you want to go to the iTunes page for the GoToMyPC iPad app. The app doesn’t cost anything, but you do have to have a GoToMyPC account subscription, but there’s also a full 30 day trial available if you just want to try it out.

How to Use the GoToMyPC iPad App

The process of setting up the iPad app for GoToMyPC is simple.

• Use your iPad to download the GoToMyPC app from the iTunes App Store.
• If you don’t have GoToMyPC already installed on your host computer (the remote computer you want to access), visit www.gotomypc.com to download and install GoToMyPC. There’s a version for either a Mac or PC.
• Log in from your iPad to access your computer. The new version of the GoToMyPC iPad app can even remember your password for you so the next time you log in all you have to do is enter your host computer’s access code.

That’s it. The whole process is simple, and before you know it, you’ll be using your iPad to work during every spare moment you have. That is why you bought the iPad, right? The games, the books, they’re all just fluff to make your friends and family think you have a life outside of work, right? ;-)

A while back, I posted a lot more information about and an image of the GoToMyPC iPad app. Check it out if you want to see more.

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There are GoToMyPC alternatives, but none of them work well for me, in my particular job. My duties include accessing QuickBooks remotely so I can prepare reports and work with the files, using both Word and Excel to create documents and spreadsheets. Accessing and using Outlook for email.

I can do all this through my home computer, as if I’m sitting right in front of my office computer, because the screen is replicated on my home computer monitor.

This means I can access and use all the software on my office computer and that I didn’t have to install any of it on my home computer to be able to work from home effectively. This is an important cost savings, because some popular computer software is very expensive, like Microsoft Office and QuickBooks Premiere, both of which I use extensively in my job.

Printing is especially important and GoToMyPC has excellent printing capabilities. I can print to 5 different printers when I’m connected to my office computer. Of course, what you can print to will vary but here’s the breakdown.

• My home printer that’s attached to my home computer through which I access my office computer. I can print office documents that are still on my office computer to this printer.
• My office printer that’s attached to my office computer.
• Three printers that are on the office network.

These printing options are useful and the set up with GoToMyPC was nearly effortless. I personally had some issues with my home printer, but only because the printer is so old that it’s not even supposed to be compatible with the computer OS (Vista) that it’s hooked up to! And yet, GoToMyPC support made it work for me.

(I’m sure you can tell I’m a very happy GoToMyPC customer. A caveat here is that I haven’t had to use customer service in three years, so I can’t vouch for them at this point. But I think their product is great, and you’re probably not going to need customer service anyway but if you did, I would hope they were as useful to you now as they were to me then.)

I even wrote a review of GoToMyPC that you’re welcome to read.

Can You Access Your Computer With GoToMyPC On a Mobile Device?

An iPad, yes. An iPhone or an Android phone, no. GoToMyPC doesn’t currently have a GoToMyPC Android app or iPhone app, but they do have them in the works. The iPad app is already available and if you have an iPad and want remote access to your computer, consider adding GoToMyPC to your computer so you can use the app. The app won’t work without it, and yes, if you just want to give it a try there’s a trial version with a discount if you decide to subscribe.

Can You Turn On Your Computer Remotely With GoToMyPC?

The one thing you absolutely can’t do with GoToMyPC is turn on your host computer remotely. You kind of have to be there in person for that. Unless you have a co-worker who will do it for you. Buttons don’t push themselves. :-)

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GoToMyPC might be my preference for remote computer access, but the fact is, there are many other options out there that will help you connect to your computer remotely and allow you to work on your desktop as if you were right there in front of it.

LogMeIn

LogMeIn is one such alternative. The program is very similar to GoToMyPC and I’ve actually used it when I wanted to access my desktop computer from my laptop computer without having to set up a home network. I didn’t keep the program, although it was no cost for the non-pro version.

LogMeIn vs. GoToMyPC

Some users have reported speed and reliability issues with LogMeIn Free and of course there are fewer features. The Pro version has a lot of the same features as GoToMyPC. GoToMyPC seemed faster to me and had less hang ups. Others also report issues with dropped connections with LogMeIn.

My problem with this particular remote access computer software was simply that I liked the interface for GoToMyPC better. GoToMyPC has really nice scale features that make my desktop look as good as possible even when I’m working on a much smaller screen. I was also comparing a program meant only for basic access to a remote PC or Mac for individuals with the powerful GoToMyPC program. GoToMyPC doesn’t offer a no-cost version at all. So, if you’re looking only for that very basic access, LogMeIn might be an option for you, but if you want more features, you might as well go with the more recommended remote access software, GoToMyPC.

Click here to visit the GoToMyPC website
Access your computer remotely and securely

TeamViewer

TeamViewer is another GoToMyPC alternative and it is a no-cost solution, although there are charges if you use it for business. Since the entire reason I need it remote computer access is to connect to my office PC, I don’t qualify for the no-cost non-commercial use. Still, it’s an option with a lot of features. I haven’t used this program so I can’t evaluate how it meets its claims.

Still Recommend GoToMyPC

Despite the availability of other remote computer access software, I still prefer GoToMyPC and I still recommend it as the easiest solution to setting up true full-featured remote PC access (and Mac remote access).

GoToMyPC has the best printing capabilities and I often print to the computer hooked up to my work desktop, the printer on my work network, and my home printer connected to my home computer. All these print options work just like normal printing from any computer.

I do file transfers quite often, preferring to work on the Excel installed locally when I am making a lot of edits to a spreadsheet and often creating scans and documents at home that I then drag and drop to my office desktop.

GoToMyPC isn’t resource intensive. I use it on an older computer that doesn’t have a lot of memory just as successfully as when I use it on my newer, more powerful computer.

I’ve previously discussed other reasons why I don’t like other options for remotely connecting to my office computer and those reasons haven’t changed for me over time. Security of my files and computers is always uppermost in my mind. Peace of mind is worth a lot. My job is stressful sometimes and I don’t need to be worrying about remote access security for my host computer (office) or my client computers (home). The company I work for can afford to bring in an IT guy when issues arise. Me, not so much.

Click here to visit the GoToMyPC website

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Update: A GoToMyPC Android app is finally here!

GoToMyPC doesn’t have an app available for Android based phones and tablets yet. However, the FAQ at the GoToMyPC.com website lets us know that this won’t last forever.

Q: Can I connect to my computer from my iPhone® or Android™ device?

Not at this time, but GoToMyPC support for iPhone and Android devices is coming soon.

If you’re not a subscriber, click here to try GoToMyPC now free for 30 days.

I’ll be sure to update the site when the service is available. I’m personally looking forward to it, because I have a Droid phone and would like to be able to remotely access some of the files that are on my office PC when I’m away from home without my laptop.

I often get phone calls where I’m asked about things that I can’t answer without remote computer access. Since I rarely carry my laptop with me when I’m out and about, and I don’t have ready access to public computers (and probably wouldn’t want to use them anyway!), I end up having to say things like "I’ll take a look as soon as I get home." This often means I have to allow for a second interruption in my personal time to answer a question.

When you need remote computer access, it isn’t always convenient to get to a computer and with the newest generation smart phones, there’s no need to be tied a desktop or laptop computer when you’re traveling and just need to make a quick file edit or review some documents. GoToMyPC makes it much easier to safely view and work with files–you don’t have to copy important documents to your devices, just access them through the GoToMyPC remote computer software.

An Android app for GoToMyPC is on the way and I am excited at the prospect of all that I can do with it when it becomes available.

The app for GoToMyPC for iPad is now available in the app store. It’s a free app that makes it easy to connect remotely to your computer from wherever you happen to be. To use it though, you need to have a GoToMyPC subscription on the computers you want to access. If you’re not a subscriber, click here to try GoToMyPC now free for 30 days.

Personally, I would want this app for my iPad if I had one. I don’t currently. I’ve got a Droid phone that I’m hoping they make a compatible app for at some point, but I haven’t really decided yet if it’s something I would actually work with. It might be that I’m not suited to working on small screens. I’m kind of addicted to my very wide, very tall desktop monitor .

But having remote access to my computers is always nice.

Details of the GoToMyPC iPad App Functionality

• Intuitive touch and gesture controls
• 300% zoom to see details and operate with precision
• Full keyboard functionality, including special keys like Alt, Ctrl and Tab
• Preview text mode for fast typing
• Keyboard Locking and Screen Blanking on host computer (PC only)
• Works seamlessly with existing firewalls – no need for special configuration
• 128-bit AES encryption, dual passwords and end-to-end user authentication
• Inactivity timeout that you can configure (PC only)
• Connects over 3G and Wi-Fi
• Free 24/7 support

How to Get Started

• Visit http://www.gotomypc.com to download and install GoToMyPC on the Mac or PC you want to access.
• Download the GoToMyPC app from the App Store and install on your iPad.
• Log in from your iPad to access your computer.

Requirements

Important, this is a free app, not a free version of the GoToMyPC program unless you take advantage of the 30 day free trial!

• GoToMyPC subscription (30-day free trial available at www.gotomypc.com)
• iPad: iOS 4.2 or newer.
• Remote Computers:
  • “Always on” Internet connection (cable, ISDN, DSL or better)
  • PCs: Windows 2000 or newer
  • Macs: Mac OS X v10.5 (Leopard) or newer.

Here’s a direct link to the app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gotomypc-remote-desktop/id417742726

If you’re not a GoToMyPC subscriber but want to try the GoToMyPC remote access software out, click here to try GoToMyPC now free for 30 days.

I use this program and I think it’s a good investment when you don’t want to be stuck at your office or on a specific computer to get your work done.

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There are several ways to stay private when you’re working through GoToMyPC.

Say you’re working at home or another remote location, basically from anywhere you have internet access or Wi-Fi. If you’re working on confidental documents on your office computer, you want to be sure no one can walk up to your desk and see what you’re working on on your computer monitor, or interfere with your work by using the mouse or keyboard while you’re logged in.

GoToMyPC can stop this from happening. Using certain features of GoToMyPC can allow you to stay private while you’re working remotely and that could be important.

Right now you can get a free trial for 30 days and a 10% discount on a GoToMyPC subscription.

It’s very easy to set your options within GoToMyPC to make your remote desktop monitor show a blank screen while you’re connected so no one will see what you’re working on. You can also set it to so your remote mouse and keyboard lock and no one can use either.

Be warned though, if you have an office where other people use your computer when you’re gone, they might think your computer is off and press the power button on the computer! This has happened to me. Not only is it a big interruption of your work, but it can cause you to lose data.

So it’s always in your best interests if you share a computer with others or if others have a habit of using your computer when you’re not there, that you tell someone you’re going to be working remotely from home!

GoToMyPC is the best way to work from home on your computer. You can use their no-cost trial to test it out and see if it works for you.

GoToMyPC has one of the best deals for remote access to your computer. Although you can get free access, you take a risk with security if you haven’t set up your remote access computer correctly. The client and host computer must be able to "talk" to each other, and you want it to happen securely. You also don’t want anyone to be able to hack into your setup so that they then end up with access to your computer and everything on it.

Right now you can get a free trial for 30 days and a 10% discount on a GoToMyPC subscription.

This is an excellent deal, in my opinion. I freely admit I didn’t get a discount. But…my boss pays so I’m not complaining. I would have been happy to get the discount for the office if it had been available at the time.

If free is what you’re looking for and you don’t worry about security or feel you need something that makes using remote access software easy, then go with something like LogMeIn or set up your own remote access connection through your computer’s operating system. I can’t really help you with that because it’s not something I would be comfortable doing. Also, I tried LogMeIn, and although it wasn’t really hard to set up, the user interface didn’t work well for me. It wasn’t anywhere near as user friendly as GoToMyPC, in my opinion. So, I’m still a fan of GoToMyPC—love it, in fact. Haven’t found anything easier or more recommendable for remote access than GoToMyPC.

Don’t forget that you can get a fully functional 30 day free trial of GoToMyPC. Personally, I think if you’re serious about needed remote access computer software, then you’ll be a fan too once you try it out. Take a trial run.

GoToMyPC takes care of all the security aspects of connecting you to your host computer, while you access it from your "client" computer—and this can be from any other computer. You’re not stuck accessing your host computer from only one other location through your web browser.

How does this work? You simply log in to your GoToMyPC account at GoToMyPC.com and click My Computers (first image), then look for the button that says Connect beside the computer you want to remotely access (next two images).

The images you see below are screen captures from my own account at GoToMyPC.

1. Log In to your GoToMyPC account
2. Click My Computers
3. Click Connect

GoToMyPC will initiate a small download to the computer you’re at, but only if you’ve never used it to connect to your remote computer before. As soon as the download finishes, you’ll be connected to your computer, just as if you’re sitting in front of it working. It really is simple. That’s why GoToMyPC is the remote access computer software I use.

Try the GoToMyPC free trial for 30 days.