Remote Utilities Free — Remote Desktop with Direct LAN and Internet-ID Modes
What it is
Remote Utilities Free is the no-cost edition of the Remote Utilities remote desktop platform. It’s designed for IT administrators and support staff who need to connect to Windows systems either inside the LAN or across the internet without a heavy relay infrastructure. The free version provides core features — remote control, file transfer, session logging — and is capped at 10 remote endpoints, making it a good fit for small offices or individual consultants.
How it works
The tool follows a host–viewer model. On target machines, administrators install the Remote Utilities Host service. The admin side runs the Viewer application, which holds all connection profiles. If the endpoints are on the same LAN, sessions can be established directly via IP. For external access, Remote Utilities offers Internet-ID mode, where a relay server mediates the connection without VPN setup. The free edition uses the vendor’s public relay servers; commercial users can self-host a gateway for compliance.
Technical profile
| Area | Details |
| Purpose | Remote desktop and support for Windows endpoints |
| Platforms | Windows (Host and Viewer) |
| Connection modes | Direct IP (LAN) or Internet-ID relay |
| Free license | Up to 10 endpoints |
| Features | Remote control, file transfer, chat, session logging |
| Authentication | Windows login, custom password, 2FA (paid tiers) |
| Security | TLS encryption, access rights per host |
| Licensing | Free (10 endpoints), commercial for larger scale |
| Deployment | Host on remote PCs, Viewer on admin workstation |
Why admins consider it
Remote Utilities Free offers flexibility: it can run entirely within a LAN with no outside dependency, or use the Internet-ID relay when staff need to assist remote workers. The licensing model is straightforward — free up to ten PCs, which is enough for labs, small offices, or proof-of-concept deployments. It also allows admins to scale up later by purchasing a license without retraining staff or replacing the tool.
Typical usage scenarios
– Small companies managing under ten PCs where staff work both in-office and remotely.
– IT consultants needing a free solution to maintain a handful of client machines.
– School or training labs where administrators remotely assist students’ Windows desktops.
– Environments where VPN is not available but secure remote access is still required.
Security notes
Admins are encouraged to configure strong authentication on each Host — preferably using Windows credentials tied to AD accounts. Access rights should be restricted so that only authorized users can log in. Relay servers in Internet-ID mode should be used with caution in regulated environments; self-hosted gateway servers are available in paid editions for compliance-driven deployments.
Limitations
Windows-only: there are no native Linux or macOS hosts. Free license capped at 10 endpoints, which limits scaling. Some enterprise-grade features (2FA, self-hosted relay, AD integration) are only in commercial versions. Viewer UI, while functional, may feel dated compared to newer cross-platform tools.
Comparison snapshot
| Tool | Strengths | Best fit scenario |
| Remote Utilities Free | LAN + Internet-ID, free for 10 PCs | Small offices, consultants |
| LiteManager Free | Free for up to 30 PCs, simple relay | Schools, small teams |
| AnyDesk Free | Lightweight, cross-platform | SMBs needing fast, occasional access |
| TeamViewer Free | Cloud relay, very simple | Personal use, small support cases |
| RealVNC | Standardized VNC protocol | Enterprises mixing OS platforms |
Minimal checklist
– Install Remote Utilities Host on target PCs.
– Install Viewer on the admin workstation.
– Configure direct IP access or enable Internet-ID mode.
– Set strong authentication credentials.
– Test connections on LAN and remote networks.
– Apply updates to both Host and Viewer regularly.