WinVNC is software that allows you to remotely control a Windows from another device, using the VNC ( Virtual Network Computing ) protocol. This is a VNC server that makes the Windows accessible from a VNC client, such as VNC Viewer. In this article, we'll tell you what WinVNC is, how to use it, and how to remove it if you no longer need it.
What is WinVNC?
WinVNC is free and open source software that allows you to share the screen of a Windows with another device , whether it is Windows , macOS, Linux, iOS or Android. This is a VNC server which must be installed on the computer to be controlled, and which communicates with a VNC client installed on the device which exercises the control. the VNC port must on the server and the client, generally port 5900 by default.
WinVNC works on Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0 and all later versions of Windows . It does not require replacing system files or running specific versions of the program depending on the operating system. This is a standard application that can be launched from the Start and closed just as easily.
WinVNC allows you to remotely control the existing Windows , without creating a separate desktop. This means that only one graphical user can be logged in at a time on the remote computer. If you want to create independent virtual desktops , you can use other solutions like TightVNC or UltraVNC .
How to use WinVNC?
To use WinVNC, you must follow the following steps:
- Download and install WinVNC on the computer you want to control remotely. You can download it MIT website
- Launch WinVNC Start menu or taskbar. You will see an eye icon in the notification area.
- Right-click on the WinVNC icon and choose Properties . You will then be able to configure the VNC server options, such as password, port, image quality, etc.
- Download and install a VNC client on the device from which you want to control the remote computer. You can use VNC Viewer , which is compatible with WinVNC, or any other VNC client of your choice.
- Launch the VNC client and enter the IP address or name of the remote computer, followed by the port number if necessary. For example, if the IP address is 192.168.1.10 and the port is 5900, enter 192.168.1.10:5900. If you don't know the IP address or name of the remote computer, you can try to find them by using the ping or nslookup command in Command Prompt. If you can't find them, you may have a network connection or DNS configuration . In this case, you may see the following error message: The server IP address could not be found .
- Enter the password you set in WinVNC properties and click OK . You should then see the remote computer's Windows
- Use your keyboard and mouse to control the remote computer as if you were in front of it. You can also use touch gestures if you're using a mobile device.
How to remove WinVNC?
If you no longer need WinVNC, you can easily remove it from your computer. To do this, simply:
- Close WinVNC by right-clicking its icon in the notification area and choosing Close .
- Uninstall WinVNC using the Windows Control Panel Windows running the uninstall.exe program in the WinVNC installation folder.
- Optionally delete residual files in the installation folder or in the registry.
WinVNC FAQ
To complete this article, here is a list of frequently asked questions about WinVNC, with their answers:
Is WinVNC secure?
WinVNC uses 8-bit encryption to protect data exchanged between the server and client. This is not enough to ensure optimal security, especially if you use WinVNC over the Internet . We therefore advise you to use a VPN or an SSH tunnel to strengthen the security of your connection .
Is WinVNC compatible with other VNC servers or clients?
WinVNC is compatible with most VNC clients , such as VNC Viewer, TightVNC Viewer or UltraVNC Viewer. It can also be controlled by other VNC servers, like RealVNC Server or TigerVNC Server . However, some advanced features may not be supported depending on the versions and protocols used.
How to access multiple computers with WinVNC?
If you want to control multiple computers with WinVNC , you must install and configure the VNC server on each computer, using different ports. For example, you can use port 5900 for the first computer, port 5901 for the second, etc. Next, you need to enter the corresponding IP address and port into the VNC client to access each computer.
How to change remote screen resolution or color with WinVNC?
You can change the resolution or color of the remote screen with WinVNC by changing the VNC server options in WinVNC properties. You can choose between several color modes, ranging from black and white to 32-bit. You can also adjust the resolution based on your screen size or bandwidth .
How to transfer files between local computer and remote computer with WinVNC?
WinVNC does not allow transferring files between the local computer and the remote computer. If you want to do this, you need to use another software, like FTP , SMB or Dropbox . You can also use a VNC client that has a built-in file transfer feature, like TightVNC Viewer or UltraVNC Viewer .
How to print from the remote computer with WinVNC?
WinVNC does not allow printing from the remote computer . If you want to do this, you need to use another software, like Google Cloud Print or Remote Print . You can also use a VNC client that has a built-in remote printing feature, such as RealVNC Viewer or UltraVNC Viewer.
How to use remote computer audio with WinVNC?
WinVNC does not allow you to use sound from the remote computer . If you want to do this, you need to use another software, like TeamViewer or AnyDesk. You can also use a VNC client that has a built-in remote sound feature, like RealVNC Viewer or UltraVNC Viewer .
How to use the remote computer's clipboard with WinVNC?
WinVNC allows you to use the remote computer's clipboard, that is, to copy and paste text between the two devices. To do this, simply use the usual shortcuts ( Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V ) or the context menus ( Copy and Paste ). However, this function does not always work correctly depending on the versions and applications used.
That's it, you know everything about WinVNC: what it is, how to use it and how to remove it. We hope this article was helpful and you were able to remotely control your Windows successfully . If you have any questions or comments, please let us know.
