Written by: Elijah Ugoh

Virtual Network Computing (VNC) is a graphical desktop-sharing system that uses the Remote FrameBuffer protocol (RFB) to remotely control a different computer.

With VNC viewer installed, you can access the screen, keyboard, and mouse of another computer remotely as though you were sitting right in front of the computer.

VNC Viewer is used by both individuals and organizations that need strong internal security. It comes with a 14-day free trial, and you can get started right away by following the guide below to install the software on your PC for free.

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How to Download and Install VNC Viewer on Your PC for Free

Note: First, you need to download and install VNC Server on the system or device you want to control remotely, then download and install VNC Viewer on the system or device you want to control from (using the setup guide below).

  1. Go directly to the official VNC Viewer download page.
  2. Click on the “Free Trial” button on the top menu bar:
    VNC Viewer free trial screenshot
  3. Provide your information to sign up for a VNC Connect account or sign in if you already have an account. This will give you access to your free 14-day trial.
    VNC Viewer sign up screenshot
  4. On the next page, you’ll see a download link for VNC Connect. Download it and then double-click the setup file to run the setup. Make sure to select VNC Viewer during setup.
    VNC Viewer setup screenshot
  5. After clicking Install VNC Viewer (as shown below), accept the License Agreement to proceed. Wait for the installation to complete.
    VNC Viewer install screenshot
  6. Close the VNC Connect installer window and launch the VNC Viewer app from your desktop or Windows area. You can now set it up and connect to the system you want to control remotely.
    VNC Viewer sign in to get started screenshot
  7. During setup, you’ll receive an email on your registered email address to authorize the original device you want to sign in with. Once you authorize that device, you can use it to sign in to your account from anywhere and access other connected systems remotely.

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Overview of VNC Viewer

VNC Viewer is a cross-platform screen-sharing software that allows you to remotely control another computer using a different device, such as a mobile phone, tablet, or computer. With the software installed on your phone, you can turn your phone into a remote desktop, giving instant remote, encrypted access to any device you’ve connected to.

VNC Viewer essentially uses a client/server connection to transmit the keyboard and mouse input from the computer to be accessed by a remote user on another computer, over a network. This means that before you can use VNC Viewer, you need to have VNC Server installed on the system to allow remote access. In other words, VNC Viewer and VNC Server are designed to work together.

VNC Viewer authentication screenshot
Enter the IP address of the system you want to access in the system you want to control from to connect seamlessly.
VNC Viewer closing screenshot

In this case, I installed the VNC Server on my laptop (the device I want to control), and installed the VNC Viewer on my phone (the device I want to control from). You can install the Viewer and Server on any device (another computer, a tablet, or a mobile phone).

When the server and viewer are connected, the server will transmit a copy of the remote computer’s screen to the viewer’s device. You can view your computer’s desktop and control the mouse and keyboard from anywhere in the world like you were right in front of it.

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Features of VNC Viewer

Intuitive remote control

Use the mouse and keyboard (of the computer you want to control) as though you were sitting in front of the computer.

Cloud Connectivity

With Cloud Connectivity, you can sign in from anywhere to automatically discover your cloud-joined computers and seamlessly access them.

Cross-platform support

Connect to another PC, mobile phone, tablet, Mac, Linux, Raspberry Pi, iOS, or Android. It works between any two supported devices.

Attended and unattended access

Allows you to connect to remote computers whether or not the remote computer owner is present or not (available to Enterprise subscribers only).

Direct and cloud connectivity

The service automatically establishes cloud connections between devices regardless of their distance apart. Direct connection works best with closed networks without internet access and it is highly configurable for specialized requirements.

File transfer, printing, and instant messaging

During a session, interaction is not restricted to the remote screen. You can exchange files, print documents, and chat with the user on the other end.

Built-in secure feature

VNC Connect (inclusive of VNC Viewer and VNC Server) is built with security in mind. Each established connection or session is secured with at least a 128-bit or 256-bit AES encryption for privacy.

Multilingual support

In addition to English, VNC services are available in other languages, including French, German, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, etc., with more translations on the way.

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How to uninstall VNC Viewer from your PC

If VNC Viewer doesn’t quite meet your needs and you wish to uninstall it, you can remove it from your computer in a few easy steps:

  1. Type “Add or Remove Programs” in the Windows Search bar and hit the Enter button.
    VNC Viewer add or remove programs screenshot
  2. Search for VNC Viewer on the list of installed applications, then click the “Uninstall” button.
    VNC Viewer uninstall screenshot
  3. Once the uninstallation wizard opens, confirm that you want to uninstall VNC Viewer and the software will be removed from your computer.

Other Software Programs by RealVNC

VNC Server: To establish a connection between devices, VNC Viewer relies on the compatibility of VNC Server. To gain control over the desired devices, it is essential to download VNC® Server onto them. For optimal usage of VNC Viewer, it is recommended to install VNC® Viewer alongside VNC Server.

VNC Connect Single Installer: Note that VNC Connect includes both VNC Server and VNC Viewer. This single installer combines the two software. So when you run the single installer, you have the option to choose between installing VNC Viewer and VNC Server on your device.

VNC Permissions Creator: The VNC Permissions Creator is used to manage users and permissions for VNC Server. It is a lightweight app that works on the x86 or x64 Windows architecture.

FAQs

Is VNC Viewer free?

Yes, VNC Viewer is free for 14-day with free access to test out all the features. After which you’ll be prompted to upgrade. Follow the guide above and I’ll show you how to download and install VNC Viewer for free on your computer.

Is VNC Viewer secure?

Yes, VNC Viewer is safe and secure. You can safely download and install VNC Viewer from the official website to avoid exposure to viruses and malware.

Can I run VNC Viewer without an internet connection?

Yes, you can run VNC Viewer without an internet connection. But you need to be subscribed to an Enterprise plan to enjoy this feature. This is called Direct connectivity.
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