Remote Utilities 7.2 Review (Free Remote Access Tool)

Remote Utilities is a free remote access program for the Windows operating system. You can connect to as many as ten computers at no cost, either from your mobile device or from an app you install on your computer.

This software provides over a dozen tools for connecting to a remote computer, making it one of the better remote desktop applications. Keep reading for the pros and cons and information about how the software works.

More About Remote Utilities

Remote Utilities gives you so many options. Consider the following features and capabilities:

• It works with 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP; Windows Server 2019, 2016, 2012, 2008, and 2003; and in beta form for macOS and Linux.
• You can launch the Viewer and Host apps from a USB drive (like a flash drive) without having to install software.
• You can view a remote screen in View Only mode so that you don't interfere with anything on the remote computer.
• You can run the Host app without having to install it, which means that you can provide spontaneous support.
• You can launch some remote tools without displaying messages or prompts on the remote computer.
• The address book of remote connections is backed up every day. You also have the option to back the address book up online to a self-hosted server.
• Supported tools include power control, task manager, voice and video chat, remote execute, and screen recorder.
• Remote Utilities works well behind routers, so you don't need to make any port forwarding changes.
• The Command Prompt feature looks just like a typical Windows Command Prompt window, but it runs commands against the remote/host computer instead of the client's machine.
• Inventory manager provides details of the host operating system, hardware, and installed software, complete with version numbers and manufacturer names.

The Pros and Cons of Remote Utilities

Given how many tools Remote Utilities has, it's not surprising the program has many pros.

How Does Remote Utilities Work?

Remote Utilities creates a connection between an administrative computer and a remote computer. You install the host app on each remote computer; the Viewer app is the administration module, and you install it on the computer you use to control all the remote computers. In other words, the computer running Viewer is the one from which you connect to the remote computers.

Two versions of the host app are available from the download page:

• Host installs the app on your remote computers.
• Agent, which you don't have to install, enables you to connect to the host computer quickly.

When you launch the host app for the first time, you'll be prompted to set a password to secure your computer against unauthorized access. The Viewer app uses this password to access host computers. Then, the host app on each computer uses the Internet-ID connection setting option to generate a nine-digit code that the Viewer needs to access that computer. Like Host, you can download a portable version of Viewer.

When the connection has been established, the computer with Viewer can launch remote tools on the remote computer.

My Thoughts on Remote Utilities

Remote Utilities includes some great tools that push it over the edge compared with other, similar remote desktop software I've used. The Host app's security options are a bit confusing, but when you've figured them out and Viewer can connect to remote computers, the tools are great.

You can take full control of the remote machine or simply view the remote computer's desktop in View Only, which is helpful if you're providing remote support and just want to watch what the user is doing without interfering. With a few clicks, you can change the mode during remote sessions.

File Transfer mode in Remote Utilities is a nice feature because it doesn't prompt the other person of the remote computer for confirmation. In Viewer, enable File Transfer mode: You can transfer files to and from the remote computer without having to see the remote computer's desktop. This capability really speeds things up when you just want to access remote files.

Remote Utilities Alternatives

I've yet to find a free remote access app with as many tools as this one. Still, there are some programs I routinely recommend to people that are somewhat similar to Remote Utilities.

For permanent remote access into a computer, such as your own, Chrome Remote Desktop and AnyDesk are great options. For quick, spontaneous remote access, I like to use a program that the other person doesn't need to spend much time setting up — Getscreen.me, and DWService are good options.