Share Your Desktop Remotely With Multiple Viewers Easily With LogMeIn Express

logmeinexpresslogo I’ve been a fan of LogMeIn Free for quite some time and I know that it has been mentioned several times in MakeUseOf articles. LogMeIn, if you haven’t heard, is a remote desktop application which allows you to access and control a computer from any other computer with internet access and a browser. The uses are multiple but a few have to do with accessing information at home from a remote location (hotel or such) and remote IT support (if you ever need help when you’re away from the office).

Well, now LogMeIn has come up with yet ANOTHER free product for us to try called LogMeIn Express. So far I love LogMeIn Express because it overcomes one tedious obstacle that LogMeIn Free has, and that’s the installation on the PC to be controlled.

share desktop remotely

Say your grandma who lives in Florida calls and needs you to show her how to find a lost Word document or how to update her status on her new Facebook account. And say YOU live in Maine. Well, you’re not there with her to install the LogMeIn program for her and she doesn’t have the “know how.” Read this article to see how easy it really is for her to share her desktop remotely with you using LogMeIn Express.

If you want to share your desktop with someone, head on over to the LogMeIn Express website, click the “share” button, download the very small file (under a meg), and run it.

logmein express

I’m obviously running Firefox but the idea is to download the LogMeInExpress.exe file and run it. After you run the file (may I again mention how incredibly small the file is?), you’ll get a little black box giving you a type of control center to share your desktop remotely, including a session code to share.

share desktop remotely

In the blurry area at the top of the control box would actually show a session code (I blurred it, just for fun!). Notice the two icons next to the code. There you have several options to help you share the code. The first one copies the list of numbers to your clipboard so all you have to do is paste it someplace like an email message or IM program, etc. The second icon (looks like a letter envelope) will open a new email message from your computer’s default email program (example: Outlook). You can also put a chat name where “Presenter” is highlighted.

Once you’ve shared the code with whoever is planning on viewing your desktop, direct them to the LogMeIn Express homepage. When they enter the code and click the “view” button, they can view your desktop.

enable remote desktop

As you can see, there’s also a nifty chat area for communicating what’s going on. Another cool thing about LogMeIn Express is that you can also share files AND remote control with a viewer. You can ALSO have multiple viewers.

logmeinexpress_shareoptions

I have to share several observations with you. First of all, realize that this service is currently in beta, meaning you’ll probably find bugs. I didn’t have any problems when I used it but don’t give up if you run into a small obstacle and share feedback with them.

My other observation is just a small annoyance for me but I understand why it’s there. When you are sharing your desktop, your cursor blinks. I’m sure this is to make sure you know your desktop is being shared. I just found it annoying. In my opinion, it is a SMALL annoyance and NOT something that will keep me from using this new tool.

What do you think? Is it user-friendly enough for you to share your desktop remotely? Do you already use it or do you use an alternative service?

Tagged: remote access • remote control • remote desktop • tech support • troubleshoot • vnc

Tim Lenahan

I am a 30 something year old kid at heart. I have been working on and at computers ever since high school. I enjoy finding new and interesting sites that are useful to the every day person. I have been helping and training people on tech-related issues for years and don't see myself stopping any day soon.

http://www.nomarketplace.com/ Daniel

I have used teamviewer and now mikogo, both are free and good working tools. But maybe I have overlooked the special thing about LogMeIn?
http://timmyjohnboy.com Tim Lenahan

I have used teamviewer before and like it. From what I can tell, with LogMeIn Express you can have up to 100 viewers viewing your screen. That plus the ease of use = something worth looking into, IMHO.
http://www.BIGnetOnline.com Joe LaGreca

It should be noted that LogMeIn Express is Windows ONLY at the moment.

Since I’m a mac user, I find teamviewer easiest between different platforms.

http://timmyjohnboy.com Tim Lenahan

Good observation. They’re still in beta so perhaps later down the line it’ll support more operating systems:)

Monaroboy

My Trend Micro Internet Security Pro won’t allow me to open their website saying it is dangerous…
The website you wanted to see might transmit malicious software to your computer, or has done that before to someone else. It may also show signs of involvement in online scams or fraud.
Address: https://secure.logmein.com/us/home.aspx
Rating: Dangerous

http://timmyjohnboy.com Tim Lenahan

Not sure… maybe this thread can help clear something up:

http://community.spiceworks.com/topic/39639
http://www.bignetonline.com Joe LaGreca

False Positive from Trend. Have you considered using Microsoft Security essentials virus scanner? Its actually quite nice and FREE!

Marius

I actually use a Proxy Networks product for my remote desktop software and it works great. Like your example states, there really is no better way to troubleshoot or accomplish something for a remote user than through one of these products. I find them immensely helpful and they have saved, literally, days of my life on tech support hours.

http://www.bignetonline.com Joe LaGreca

Marius, How much do they charge for the Proxy Networks product? There is no pricing on their website, but it sounds interesting.

elisa

I am wondering if you have to download the app every time you want to share, so that you get a new code number each time? I tried to call them to find out for sure but their phone support and ticket system is only for trial users and customers, which I am neither. I tried to go to their FAQ and Community Forums but not much there about it either. Maybe you know?

http://timmyjohnboy.com Tim Lenahan

I believe you do.

http://rhubcom.com/ BrainTiller

When it comes to LogMeIn, customization is limited and significant features such as file transfer are available only in the paid version. Security is also of major concern with hosted solutions. RHUB remote access is another paid alternative. RHUB has a host of other advanced features too.