VNC Free Edition is a remote display system that allows you to view and work on one desktop using a different computer and platform from anywhere on the Internet. For example, you can use VNC on your PC to display a Unix environment running on a large server in another room. It allows you to control the mouse and keyboard input to the remote computer as well as view its display. VNC also works as a Java-client applet in a browser.

VNC is in widespread active use by many millions throughout industry, academia and privately. There are several versions to choose from, including a free version and some substantially enhanced commercial versions.

VNC has a wide range of applications including system administration, IT support and helpdesks. It can also be used to support the mobile user, both for hot desking within the enterprise and also to provide remote access at home, or on the road. The system allows several connections to the same desktop, providing an invaluable tool for collaborative or shared working in the workplace or classroom. Computer support within the geographically spread family is an ever popular use.

Virtual Network Computing (VNC) is a program developed at AT&T to allow users to operate other computers from their own desktops. When it was originally released, it was intended to be used on "network computers", whose main purpose was to connect to a server that would then run the user's applications as if it were their own machine. Today these machines are known as thin clients, and VNC's client-server abilities and source code are available for free.

For the individual user, one common scenario is using VNC to help troubleshoot the computer of a distant less-technically-savvy relative. In other words, sitting at your desk in Baltimore, you could use VNC to take control of your relative's PC in California and show them how to install and use some new software package by actually doing it yourself.

A very common business application of VNC is in remote system administration, where it is used to allow administrators to take control of employee machines to diagnose and fix problems, or to access and administer server machines without making a trip to the console. VNC can also be used to provide a flexible hot-desking and road-warrior environment by allowing employees to access their office desktop and server machines from any machine in the company's offices or from other remote sites, regardless of the type of computers involved at either end.

VNC runs on nearly every operating system
So how does VNC shape up against Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), the protocol used in Windows' default 'Remote Desktop Connection' software? It lacks many of the features of RDP, such as strong encryption. Also lacking is the ability to use files on the client machine as if they were on the server. This means that programs on the server cannot access local files, which could be problematic if they are needed. On the other hand, VNC is incredibly widely used, because it is available on nearly every conceivable platform, so compatibility is not an issue. RDP is not an open source protocol and is still unavailable on some platforms, which could lead to problems.

The license of this software is Freeware, you can free download and free use this remote access software.