Fastest "Remote Desktop" type program for Windows Vista / 7

I'm running Windows Vista Home Premium on my laptop (which does not include Remote Desktop) and Windows 7 RTM on my Desktop. I'm currently using Ultra VNC to remotely control my Laptop from my Desktop, but screen updates seem a lot slower than it seems like it should be over a 100mbit LAN.

Are there any faster alternatives? Or, what can I do to improve the speed of VNC? I'm currently using it at pretty much its default settings.

Edit -- Ideally free programs.

Ian

Posted 2009-09-13T02:28:59.880

Reputation: 387

Answers

the fastest RD software I have yet come accross is TeamViewer (free for personal use). of course, Teamviewer can be configured to be used via LAN only.

Molly7244

Posted 2009-09-13T02:28:59.880

Reputation:

wow, this program's really good! thanks molly! – Ian – 2009-09-13T20:25:31.710

you're more than welcome. – None – 2009-09-13T20:33:01.490

If you want to remotely access the machine, rather than purchasing another product, I would suggest you upgrade to Vista Business or Vista Ultimate. The price should be approximately equal to the cost of good third party software, and then it becomes built in and you have added features as well.

Multiverse IT

Posted 2009-09-13T02:28:59.880

Reputation: 4 228

1Agreed : As far as I know, Remote Desktop is the fastest, although not as developed in functionality as the VNC variants. – harrymc – 2009-09-13T07:58:58.417

Italc...designed as a teaching tool, but its super fast and is amazing for this use

alpha1

Posted 2009-09-13T02:28:59.880

Reputation: 1 638

Seems quite nice for teachers! I'm wondering why I have never seen such a tool being used so far... – Tamara Wijsman – 2009-09-13T07:40:45.853

The home page states Vista support 'will come'. Have you tried it under Vista / Win 7 ? – Ian – 2009-09-13T08:54:03.557

It run on vista, personally i had no problems as an admin, but i think there was a bug with the shutdown and or lock on the clients. But its been a little while since I used it. – alpha1 – 2009-09-14T03:54:08.167

Check the Top 25 of Remote Desktop Apps at Wakoopa.

These results are based on the usage of a lot of people so they have everything you can dream of.

Tamara Wijsman

Posted 2009-09-13T02:28:59.880

Reputation: 54 163

In my experience UltraVNC had a very reasonable refresh rate when its display driver was installed.
(This remark is of course only useful if you haven't already tried it.)

harrymc

Posted 2009-09-13T02:28:59.880

Reputation: 306 093