MacOS – screen sharing from Windows to Mac over LAN

desktopmacosremote controlwindows

What software do I need to install / use on a Windows box to be able to remote desktop into OSX locally on LAN?

Versions don't matter really, but to be specific: OSX 10.7.5, with "VNC viewers may control screen…" enabled, Windows can be any flavor of 7 or 8.

As it has to be local but also because of the policy, I can't use commercial / free TV, CRD, LMI, etc. on the Mac side, and prefer not to install anything on the Mac as it already has a built-in VNC server (as well as ARD installed). I can however install viewers / clients on the Windows side.

Tried Real VNC (including Enterprise trial) – it gets stuck on the login screen and I can't get past it.

Any ideas are welcome – thanks in advance.

(Tried to find threads that ask (or answer) this exact question but couldn't find anything. Regardless – apologies if this is a duplicate.)

Best Answer

According to Real VNC support, this is a 10.7 issue. I sort of confirmed it by successfully using Real VNC to connect to 10.6.8 and 10.9.3 hosts. Regretfully my Mac Pro (2,1) is too old in the tooth for OS X 10.9.x, so I have to figure out a different solution.

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To enable remote management (including screensharing), issue the following command over ssh:

Note: This command sets your vnc password to 'mypasswd' as set by the -vncpw flag in the command, you should change this.

sudo /System/Library/CoreServices/RemoteManagement/ARDAgent.app/Contents/Resources/kickstart -activate -configure -access -on -clientopts -setvnclegacy -vnclegacy yes -clientopts -setvncpw -vncpw mypasswd -restart -agent -privs -all

To disable the remote management, issue the following command over ssh:

sudo /System/Library/CoreServices/RemoteManagement/ARDAgent.app/Contents/Resources/kickstart -deactivate -configure -access -off

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You need to configure port-forwarding on your Time Capsule. Since your ISP doesn't give you a static IP address, then you will need a dynamic-DNS service to resolve your home's IP address to a URL which you will use when you're away from home to connect to your Mac Mini. You'll also need to configure your Time Capsule to handle Wake-On-LAN/Wake-On-Demand packets. In the bullet points below I've listed the basic requirements and included links to step-by-step instructions for each step.

You need a static IP address from your ISP or a dynamic DNS service like dyndns.com to resolve a changing IP address from a URL which you can choose.
You need to setup Wake-On-Demand as described by Apple on your Time Capsule
Finally, you need to forward ports on your Time Capsule to your Mac Mini so that incoming connections from your client software when you're away from home can reach your Mac Mini.

Best Answer

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Activating screen sharing remotely

Mac – Access Mac mini remotely (Screen Sharing + File System)

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