Fix PC problems remotely with free software

Begin by installing Crossloop on your PC. You’ll also need to get a friend to do the same. Visit www.crossloop.com and click on Free Download. Download Crossloop and click on Run to begin the installation. Select English as the installation language and follow the prompts to complete the installation. Click on Finish and launch Crossloop. You’ll be prompted to ‘Create a Crossloop Account’. This isn’t essential if you’re just helping a friend so click on Skip then close the ‘Get Help Right Now’ window.

The Crossloop program window will appear. Let’s assume you want to access a friend’s PC to help them out. Make sure they’ve installed Crossloop and that the program is running on their PC. Contact them and ask for their 12-digit access code, which appears under the Share tab of the program. It’s a good idea to use the phone or instant messaging to stay in touch while using Crossloop. Next select the Access tab of Crossloop on your PC and enter their 12-digit code then click on Connect. Once you’ve clicked on Connect, ask your friend to do the same.

A warning message will pop up on your friend’s PC advising them that you’re trying to connect to their computer. To connect and share control of their PC with you they should click on Yes. If they only want you to view the contents of their computer and not make any changes they need to check the box ‘View Only’. After a few moments a window will appear on your PC showing you an exact copy of what’s currently displayed your friend’s PC. On their computer they’ll see a small window confirming that they are sharing their screen with you.

As the helper, you can now use the Crossloop program to access your friend’s PC as if you were sat directly in front of it. Note, though, that the colours displayed in the window showing the remote PC may look strange – this is normal, and is a result of techniques employed by Crossloop to keep things moving speedily over the internet connection. For example, click on their Start button, open folders and even run applications. They won’t lose control of their PC – they’re simply sharing it with you. If they have granted you ‘View Only’ access you won’t have any control over their PC at all: you will be limited to viewing only what’s currently displayed on their Windows Desktop. From the alternative perspective, you might want to sit back and watch as your friend attempts to help you from their remote location.

Crossloop is the ideal tool for help and support. While you’re both connected using Crossloop they’ll be able to show you the exact nature of any problem. Whatever action your friend performs on their PC you’ll be able to see this in real time through the Crossloop program window on your computer. It’s the same vice versa. They will see any actions you perform on their PC while you use Crossloop. For example, they’ll see the mouse pointer moving, folders opening and programs being launched.

You can also share files between two PCs using Crossloop. First ensure that a connection has been established between the two computers. In either computer click on the yellow folder ‘Send Files’ icon in the Crossloop application window. Browse through the files and folders on your PC, choose the item you’d like to send and click on Open. A window will appear on your friend’s PC informing them that you are sending a file. All they have to do is click on Save and choose a location for it to be saved on their PC.