TightVNC — The Complete Guide: Open-Source Control of Windows PCs on the Office Network
TightVNC is a long-standing implementation of the VNC protocol from GlavSoft. You install the server on the computer you want to control and connect to it with the viewer from another machine. It is open source under the GNU GPL, free for any lawful use — commercial included — and needs no registration. The current version is for Windows.
TightVNC
GlavSoft LLC
A classic VNC server and viewer for Windows, open source and free for any use, for controlling computers on a local network.
Get it from the vendorWhat you get
- VNC server — makes a workstation reachable from any computer on the network.
- VNC viewer — also connects to computers running another VNC server.
- Watching a long calculation — check an analysis running on a workstation in another room.
- Wide compatibility — works with many VNC clients.
- Company deployment — install it on several office computers.
Who it suits, and security
TightVNC suits the office local network: working from the meeting room on a calculation workstation, or supporting a colleague on another floor. It has no built-in encryption, so never expose the server directly to the internet — from outside, use it only through a VPN or an SSH tunnel. Set a strong password, update to the latest version (which fixed viewer flaws), and never install a VNC server because someone who phoned you asked you to.
Related tools
For a richer Windows VNC with file transfer and chat — UltraVNC. For encrypted VNC on Linux servers — TigerVNC. For remote control over the internet without a VPN — RustDesk.
UltraVNC
UltraVNC team (uvnc)
Feature-rich open-source VNC server and viewer for Windows, with file transfer, chat and an encryption plugin.
Get it from the vendor
TigerVNC
TigerVNC project
Fast open-source VNC implementation with TLS encryption, widely used for remote desktops on Linux servers.
Get it from the vendor
RustDesk
RustDesk (Purslane Ltd. and community)
Open-source remote desktop tool, an alternative to TeamViewer and AnyDesk, with the option to run your own relay server.
Get it from the vendor
Remmina
Remmina project
A Linux remote desktop client that brings RDP, VNC, SSH and SPICE connections together in one window.
Get it from the vendorThe bottom line
A simple, reliable tool for controlling Windows computers inside the office. Outside the local network — only with a VPN.