Replacement for Remote Desktop.

I’ve been using Google Remote Desktop more now. Windows would disconnect seemingly randomly but mostly during polar alignment. Google’s very rarely seems to lose connection for me and is easy to set up.

Brian, I guess that’s a possibility. MS wants me to use their latest RDP which has a whole bunch of extras that I don’t want. BTW, the WiFi connection does exactly the same thing.

Thanks Quinn. I’ll look into that.

Yes but with all of my screwing around, I discarded it and can’t get it back.

I don't know if this will be helpful. I use Teamviewer in LAN Only mode to connect to the telescope computer in my backyard observatory. I have drop-outs for the first two hours or so after starting up the telescope computer. After that the connection is solid. I don't know what Windows 11 is doing for those two hours. I've tried different computers but it's always the same. I've gotten in the habit of powering up the telescope computer several hours before I want to us it. Then it works great.

I use Remote PC. Not overlay expensive and has online file backup as a feature if you want to use that. Have used it for over 4 years at my remote site.

I’ve set up “TightVNC” in desperation and I can get through to the Observatory computer but it actively rejected it. I need to active Port 4500. How do I do that in Windows 11?

Mossyback · Jul 8, 2026, 11:48 AM

I’ve been using MS Remote Desktop to reach my Observatory from the house for a long time. It’s now become hit and miss and often drops the link. Today it won’t even hook up at all. BTW, I have an Ethernet connection to the Mele 3 in the Observatory.

Suggestions for a reliable replacement would be appreciated.

Hank

Chrome remote desktop has worked flawlessly for me, on two rigs in my remote back yard.

I'm sure Google won't spy on your astro sessions ;)

They are welcome to use my dubious astro images for whatever nefarious intent they have :)

Dan Watt · Jul 8, 2026, 05:30 PM

I’ve always just used VNC. Uses more bandwith but if that isn’t an issue for you then it’s dead simple reliable, and not tied to a single commercial software company as it’s an open standard. Great for cross platform stuff. I use TightVNC as the server on the windows boxes at the moment and RealVNC app on the iPad, but there are plenty of different options.

If you depend on remote access on the field, it is free insurance to install vnc as a backup option for the inevitable Microsoft RDP fumble.

I’m with Dan, used Tight VNC for longer than I can remember. Never a problem with it. And I think it is immune to Windows Security updates that damage the drivers of my other third-party programs I use. (PHD2, ASTAP, and occasionally others.) The damage always comes from Windows Security Updates. So I normally stop Windows from doing any automatic updates, but lately it has been forcing updates regardless of my settings. I’ve become well versed in going to my settings and removing Windows updates, then fixing the damages.

But not Tight VNC, at least not so far. Maybe it is immune to Windows PC piracy? I test drove a remoting program a friend of mine used in North Carolina. He mentioned he ran his rig from his Bat Cave, the basement of the home he lives in (he’s handy capped). I immediately wrote him about his remote operation, and he helped me do the test drive. But his program he uses cost to get into and maintain. So in the true intention of the Internet, I found free software. I’ve used Tight VNC for well over 10 years now. Every since Ronny enlightened me about going remote to my laptop.

When my first laptop died, I tried the mini PC route. But it never worked quite right for me, too weak in its WiFi capabilities. Next was a 2 in one tablet that worked OK, but just was marginal in it’s hard drive capacity. When I got tired of it, I went back to my present Asus Inspiron which works great Wiiiing to my router. (I have too many obstacles for hard wiring between my area and the great indoors.

My older router finally let it’s stink out and I got a more modern Router that has been really great for reaching where I have my setup at. It’s getting older now, but as long as it works I’m running it.

But if you continue to experience troubles, I might be your router, too. My router was the last thing I suspected, but I think may have been the weakest link.

I need visual out at my mount. I almost wore a path in the tile without visual during the Minicomputer fiasco. I like my dedicated laptop for my mount. Makes like so much easier when doing alignments or building models.

I use NoMachine. Free, high quality graphics and super fast. No accounts/servers to go through, just directly connected to your PC.

NoMachine uses the NX protocol for screen emulation. Rather than just sending over pixels on the screen, what other screen emulators do, the NX protocol is able to capture the display protocol itself and sends that over. The result is a much crisper looking experience.

Highly recommended.

SonnyE · Jul 9, 2026 at 12:36 AM

Dan Watt · Jul 8, 2026, 05:30 PM

I’ve always just used VNC. Uses more bandwith but if that isn’t an issue for you then it’s dead simple reliable, and not tied to a single commercial software company as it’s an open standard. Great for cross platform stuff. I use TightVNC as the server on the windows boxes at the moment and RealVNC app on the iPad, but there are plenty of different options.

If you depend on remote access on the field, it is free insurance to install vnc as a backup option for the inevitable Microsoft RDP fumble.

I’m with Dan, used Tight VNC for longer than I can remember. Never a problem with it. And I think it is immune to Windows Security updates that damage the drivers of my other third-party programs I use. (PHD2, ASTAP, and occasionally others.) The damage always comes from Windows Security Updates. So I normally stop Windows from doing any automatic updates, but lately it has been forcing updates regardless of my settings. I’ve become well versed in going to my settings and removing Windows updates, then fixing the damages.

But not Tight VNC, at least not so far. Maybe it is immune to Windows PC piracy? I test drove a remoting program a friend of mine used in North Carolina. He mentioned he ran his rig from his Bat Cave, the basement of the home he lives in (he’s handy capped). I immediately wrote him about his remote operation, and he helped me do the test drive. But his program he uses cost to get into and maintain. So in the true intention of the Internet, I found free software. I’ve used Tight VNC for well over 10 years now. Every since Ronny enlightened me about going remote to my laptop.

When my first laptop died, I tried the mini PC route. But it never worked quite right for me, too weak in its WiFi capabilities. Next was a 2 in one tablet that worked OK, but just was marginal in it’s hard drive capacity. When I got tired of it, I went back to my present Asus Inspiron which works great Wiiiing to my router. (I have too many obstacles for hard wiring between my area and the great indoors.

My older router finally let it’s stink out and I got a more modern Router that has been really great for reaching where I have my setup at. It’s getting older now, but as long as it works I’m running it.

But if you continue to experience troubles, I might be your router, too. My router was the last thing I suspected, but I think may have been the weakest link.

I need visual out at my mount. I almost wore a path in the tile without visual during the Minicomputer fiasco. I like my dedicated laptop for my mount. Makes like so much easier when doing alignments or building models.

Mossyback · Jul 9, 2026, 03:33 PM

SonnyE · Jul 9, 2026 at 12:36 AM

Dan Watt · Jul 8, 2026, 05:30 PM

I’ve always just used VNC. Uses more bandwith but if that isn’t an issue for you then it’s dead simple reliable, and not tied to a single commercial software company as it’s an open standard. Great for cross platform stuff. I use TightVNC as the server on the windows boxes at the moment and RealVNC app on the iPad, but there are plenty of different options.

If you depend on remote access on the field, it is free insurance to install vnc as a backup option for the inevitable Microsoft RDP fumble.

I’m with Dan, used Tight VNC for longer than I can remember. Never a problem with it. And I think it is immune to Windows Security updates that damage the drivers of my other third-party programs I use. (PHD2, ASTAP, and occasionally others.) The damage always comes from Windows Security Updates. So I normally stop Windows from doing any automatic updates, but lately it has been forcing updates regardless of my settings. I’ve become well versed in going to my settings and removing Windows updates, then fixing the damages.

But not Tight VNC, at least not so far. Maybe it is immune to Windows PC piracy? I test drove a remoting program a friend of mine used in North Carolina. He mentioned he ran his rig from his Bat Cave, the basement of the home he lives in (he’s handy capped). I immediately wrote him about his remote operation, and he helped me do the test drive. But his program he uses cost to get into and maintain. So in the true intention of the Internet, I found free software. I’ve used Tight VNC for well over 10 years now. Every since Ronny enlightened me about going remote to my laptop.

When my first laptop died, I tried the mini PC route. But it never worked quite right for me, too weak in its WiFi capabilities. Next was a 2 in one tablet that worked OK, but just was marginal in it’s hard drive capacity. When I got tired of it, I went back to my present Asus Inspiron which works great Wiiiing to my router. (I have too many obstacles for hard wiring between my area and the great indoors.

My older router finally let it’s stink out and I got a more modern Router that has been really great for reaching where I have my setup at. It’s getting older now, but as long as it works I’m running it.

But if you continue to experience troubles, I might be your router, too. My router was the last thing I suspected, but I think may have been the weakest link.

I need visual out at my mount. I almost wore a path in the tile without visual during the Minicomputer fiasco. I like my dedicated laptop for my mount. Makes like so much easier when doing alignments or building models.

Hi Sonny. I need some help to get Tight VNC working. When I try to connect I get a message saying “no responding”. Can you walk me the setup steps. I’ve already lost three clear nights trying to get some program to connect. If you want to do this off line my email is clupus@icloud.com

Hank, I’ve emailed you to help setup a conversation off the forum.