ShowMyPC

Pros

• Very simple remote collaboration tool.
• Can share a whole desktop or individual applications.
• Built-in chat and whiteboard system.
• Web-based viewer available for Linux and Mac users.

Cons

• Free version limits session time and lacks more powerful features.
• Minor visual glitches can happen during active session.

ShowMyPC is a simple remote access and collaboration tool. It lets you share your screen with other users through the Internet. There are many potential uses for such a tool, such as providing remote support, hosting virtual meetings or teaching someone how to use a certain application.

One of the Simplest Collaboration Tools You Can Find

ShowMyPC is relatively easy to use, even for those who have little technical skills or who have never used remote collaboration software before. The application is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10. Installing the software takes just a few minutes and the automatic installer takes care of setting up all necessary components that work behind the scenes to allow remote access to a PC.

Both the user sharing their PC and the one connecting to it install the application on their system. There is also a Java version available on the ShowMyPC, which can be used to access a remote computer without having to install the Windows application. This can be a big plus if one needs to share their desktop with a Mac or Linux user.

Once both users have launched ShowMyPC, the one sharing their PC simply clicks on the "Show My PC Now" button, which makes the program automatically generate a password to be provided to the other user. The user on the viewing end just needs to hit the "View Remote PC" button and enter the password provided by the host.

ShowMyPC has a basic chat and whiteboard feature that lets both users communicate without having to use another messenger program. Other features included are the ability to share only a specific application, screenshots and scheduled meetings. More advanced users can set up the program to connect through a proxy or private SSH server if needed.

Free Version Has Some Limitations

ShowMyPC is made for individual users who want the simplest possible collaboration tool. It takes advantage of VNC and SSH forwarding, which are very common open source remote access technologies. However, unlike other VNC-based applications geared towards more advanced users like server administrators, it doesn't require configuring port forwarding, adding exceptions to firewalls or providing the remote user with the host's IP address.

While it's quite good for a free program, it does have a few small shortcomings. The latest version comes with an updated user interface to give the program a more modern appearance, though some users have reported visual glitches, such as menu options disappearing for a few seconds while a connection is active.

The free version of ShowMyPC can only be used to connect to one PC at a time, with a time limit of one hour per session. Some features that could be practical for many users, like file transfer and shared folders, are only available by purchasing one of the paid versions.

Pros

• Very simple remote collaboration tool.
• Can share a whole desktop or individual applications.
• Built-in chat and whiteboard system.
• Web-based viewer available for Linux and Mac users.

Cons

• Free version limits session time and lacks more powerful features.
• Minor visual glitches can happen during active session.