UltraVNC

Last updated
UltraVNC
Original authors
  • Rudi De Vos (Vdacc-VNC) [1]
  • UltraSam (eSVNC) [1]
Developers
  • Rudi De Vos [1]
  • Ludovic Bocquet [1]
  • Community [1]
Initial release5 December 2002;23 years ago (2002-12-05) [1]
Stable release
1.6.4.0 [2]   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg / 25 June 2025;7 months ago (25 June 2025)
Written in C, C++ and Java
Operating system
Platform
Size About 6 MB
Standard RFB/VNC
Available in
Type
License GPLv3
Website uvnc.com OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Repository

UltraVNC (sometimes written uVNC) is an open-source remote-administration/remote-desktop-software utility. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]

Contents

The client supports Microsoft Windows and Linux but the server only supports Windows. [15] It uses the RFB (VNC) protocol to allow a computer to access and control another one remotely over a network connection.

UltraVNC is a commonly used remote-access program, and has been in development since 2002, the most recent stable release being from 2025. The 1.5x development branch had more than 2 million views and downloads. [16]

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 version 3.

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

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, [17] although this is not needed since later versions of Windows 10. [18]

History

UltraVNC is the result of the merger of Vdacc-VNC started by Rudi De Vos in 1999 and eSVNC started by Sam in 2002. [1]

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 SC (Single Click) 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.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 on UltraVNC website.
  2. ↑ "UltraVNC 1.6.4.0 and UltraVNC SC 1.6.4.0 Released".
  3. ↑ "UltraVNC". Ashley Bischoff. 2003-09-18.
  4. ↑ "UltraVNC – Controllare in remoto uno o più PC". 01net.it (Caterina Camagni). 2007-05-16.
  5. ↑ "Comparatif : maintenance, contrôle et assistance à distance". Generation-NT.com (Cédric G.). 2008-02-21.
  6. ↑ "Avec Ultra VNC". 01net.fr (Christophe Gauthier). 2008-11-11.
  7. ↑ "Use UltraVNC on Windows Server 2008 R2". Andy's handwritten technical notebook. 2011-09-11.
  8. ↑ "Fernwartung leicht gemacht – mit Ultra VNC". PCWelt.de (Stephan Mayer). 2011-11-25.
  9. ↑ "5 alternatives to LogMeIn Free for remote PC access". PCWorld.com (Jon L. Jacobi). 2014-01-28.
  10. ↑ "Controllare il computer da remoto con Windows: guida a UltraVNC Viewer". TurboLab.it (Gianluigi Zanettini). 2014-06-23.
  11. ↑ "Contrôle a distance via UltraVNC". Alex Bacher. 2017-05-16.
  12. ↑ "6 applications gratuites de prise de contrôle à distance". ZDNet.fr (Stéphanie Chaptal). 2019-11-12.
  13. ↑ "Remote support essentials: 4 steps you can take now to keep friends and family connected". ZDNet.com (Ed Bott). 2020-03-20.
  14. ↑ "How to remote-access a Windows 10 PC". PCWorld.com (Alaina Yee). 2021-08-03.
  15. ↑ "UltraVNC Server for Linux". UltraVNC Forum. 2006-02-01.
  16. ↑ "UltraVNC Forum - Version-specific help - 1.5.x". UltraVNC Forum.
  17. ↑ UltraVNC Mirror Driver on UltraVNC Website.
  18. ↑ "UltraVNC Mirror Driver for Windows 10 / 2012". UltraVNC Forum. 2017-02-06.
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