UltraVNC

UltraVNC
	Screenshot of UltraVNC Viewer connection dialog.
Developer(s)	Rudi De Vos, UltraSam, Martin Scharpf, Oliver Schneider
Initial release	24 June 2005; 19 years ago
Stable release	1.4.3.6 / 22 October 2023; 13 months ago
Preview release	1.5.0.0 / 15 April 2024; 7 months ago
Repository	github.com/ultravnc ;
Written in	C, C++ and Java
Operating system	Server: Microsoft Windows; Client: Microsoft Windows and Linux
Size	About 5 MB
Available in	Brazilian Portuguese, Catalan, French, German, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, English
Type	Remote administration
License	GPL-2.0-or-later
Website	uvnc.com

UltraVNC (sometimes written uVNC) is an open-source remote-administration/remote-desktop-software utility. The client supports Microsoft Windows and Linux but the server only supports Windows.^[2] It uses the VNC protocol to allow a computer to access and control another one remotely over a network connection.

Features

UltraVNC allows the use of a remote computer as if the user were in front of it. This is achieved by sending mouse movements and key-presses to the remote computer, and replicating the remote computer's display (subject to differences in resolution) locally in real time. UltraVNC bears a strong resemblance to RealVNC Free Edition. However, in addition to remote control, it adds various features, such as an encryption plugin to secure the client/server connection. It also supports file transfers, chat functionality and various authentication methods. The two computers must be able to communicate across a network, such as a local subnet, internal network, or the Internet. The software is free and distributed under the terms of the GNU General Public License.

It can use an optional mirror driver installed on the remotely controlled computer for fast and efficient notification of screen changes with very low CPU load,^[3] although this is not needed since later versions of Windows 10.^[4]

History

UltraVNC is developed in the C, C++, and Java programming languages.

Since release 1.0.6.4 UltraVNC server can work as a Windows service under User Account Control (UAC).

Reverse control

UltraVNC is notable as the base for free no-install remote help desk options including UltraVNC Single Click ("SC") and PCHelpWare. These operate by generating pre-configured executables that can be downloaded and run on systems needing support; these applications then connect back to server software running on the system providing support.