Zero Configuration Remote Access for Dummies

3 days ago I wrote a tutorial on how to remote access with reverse connection. You have to do a little configuration on your side such as port forwarding and creating the server. As for your customer’s side, they only require 2 steps which is to run the file that you created and then add a new client which is your IP address. I think it’s more secure this way because your customer is the one that decides to let who control their computer.

Today I am going to show you how you can actually skip the part where your customer needs to enter your IP address. So they only require to run the server which you created. It’s the easiest way already and there is no other shorter way than this one.


PCHelpWare is a free alternative to the various paying remote assistance services that can be found on the net. PCHelpWare is a powerful remote support software that allows you to control (right from your own PC) a distant PC connected to the internet. It is the ideal solution to provide quick remote assistance and help your customers, colleagues, friends and family members, even if they are on the other side of the world. Best part about PCHelpWare is, it’s customizable: you can create your own server package with your logo and -company- name. The individual you want to remotely assist only has to download and execute your customized package. No router/modem/firewall configuration is needed to access a remote PC even when it’s standing on a protected network behind a NAT If your PC is also behind Firewall/NAT routers, PCHelpware has the solution that makes everything simple anyway.

Using the provided Repeater service, no router configuration is needed at all.

Key features of PCHelpWare:
* Security: Build-in communication encryption (TWF 256) and DH key exchange (using a 512 prime)
* File transfer (using clipboard style Copy/Paste : ctr-alt-c, ctrl-alt-v)
* Text Chat
* Clipboard transfer (Text, RTF, HTML, pictures)
* Scalable and easy to use Viewer. Various color modes to fit bandwidth at best
* International keyboard support
* Additional password if wanted

Since PCHelpWare is very powerful tool and highly customizable, I will only show how to create the server package so that your friend, family or customer doesn’t need to mess around with anything other than running the server.
1. Download PCHelpWare
2. Extract and you’ll see 6 folders, 2 DLLs, 1 execuable and 1 readme text file.

3. Run PcHelpWare_viewer.exe and configure it by referring the the image below.

Notes: Alias is the name that you want to connect to. Password should be 7 characters of LESS. ID must be something unique. AVOID using numbers such as 1234 or 9999. This is because you’re using uvnc’s repeater and chances are, there are people listening to the same ID as you configured. The UPnP doesn’t work for me as PCHelpWare did not automatically add/register the port to Internet Gateway Device. So I had to manually map the port on my router.

4. Click Save. After saving, a PHW-file will show up in the list box called Repeater.phw.
5) Click Create Server.
5a) Select “No” to Does the user need to enter the ID?.
5b) Select “No” to Does the user need to enter the password?.
This will create a PcHelpWare_server.exe in the PcHelpWare\myservers\Repeater directory. This is the file you need to get to those you wish to support.

You can either send the PcHelpWare_server.exe to your customer by email or host it on a file sharing website.
To start connecting:
1) Open PcHelpWare_viewer, select Repeater.phw and click Start.
b) Your customer only needs to download the PcHelpWare_server, run it and then simply need to click Connect.

This page keeps an a list of alive uvnc hosted Repeater servers: http://repeaters.ultravnc.info/
I hope this will solve all your remote access problems and also hope that I’ve explained it well enough for you to understand. I was having problems understanding PCHelpWare at first. So if you’re stuck, just leave a comment and I’ll try to explain it in a simpler term to you.

[ Download PCHelpWare ]