Installing Screens Connect for Windows

Step 1: Run the installer

Download the latest version of Screens Connect.

Please note that Screens Connect 3.5 requires Windows 7 SP1 and .NET framework 4.7.2 or later.

Open the downloaded file ScreensConnectSetup.exe.

Click Next.

Specify where Screens Connect files should be installed.

Specify the Start Menu folder in which Screens Connect will be listed.

Additional Installation Tasks

Add an exception to the Windows firewall: Activate this option to instruct the Windows firewall to allow incoming Screens connections.

Launch Screens Connect at launch: To ensure that your Windows PC is always accessible when you need to connect with Screens, enable this option.

Install TightVNC: Screens requires that a VNC server is installed and running on your PC. If you already have a VNC server installed, you may deselect this option. Otherwise, select this option to install TightVNC.

Click Install to begin the installation process. (If you elected to install TightVNC and/or freeSSHd, it/they will be installed as part of this process. See below for walk-throughs.)

Installing TightVNC

When the Welcome window appears, click Next.

Read the software license accompanying the application, and tick the box to accept the license terms.

Choose your preferred installation type: Typical, Custom, or Complete. For our purposes, the Typical option is sufficient.

Enable Register TightVNC Server as a system service.

Enable Configure system to allow services to simulate Ctrl-Alt-Del.

Enable Add exception for TightVNC to Windows Firewall.

Click Install to begin the installation process.

IMPORTANT: As part of the installation process, set passwords for remote access and for the admin interface.

Click Finish to wrap things up.

Once installation is complete, launch Screens Connect.

Step 2: Configuring Screens Connect

If you don't have a Screens ID, click Create a Screens ID. Otherwise, click the Sign In button to log in with an existing Screens ID.

General Configuration

To prevent disconnections caused by the PC going to sleep to save power, enable Prevent computer from sleeping.

Ensure that Launch on Startup is enabled.

If you wish to connect to this PC through an encrypted connection, enable Use SSH Tunneling at port.

Leave the port set at the industry-wide default of 22.

Please consult this article to learn how to enable SSH on your Windows PC.

Advanced Configuration

If port mapping is not available on your router or prefer to manage port forwarding rules yourself, you can consult this article to learn how to configure Screens Connect manually.

Step 3: Signing in with your Screens ID within Screens

Your Screens ID is what links your computers where Screens Connect is installed and Screens. You need to sign in with your ID within the app in order for it to be able to contact our Screens Connect server and retrieve information necessary to connect back to your computers remotely.

Screens for iOS

Launch Screens on your iOS device.

Tap the Settings (gear) icon.

Select Screens Connect.

Enter your Screens ID and password.

Tap the Next button.

Upon signing in, you should see every Mac or Windows PC you've installed Screens Connect on.

You are now ready to create a new screen.

Screens for macOS

With Screens running on your Mac, follow these steps:

Go to the Screens app menu.

Select Screens Connect > Sign In...

Enter your Screens ID and password.

Click the Sign In button.

Upon signing in, you should see every Mac and Windows computer you've installed Screens Connect on. The antenna icon next to the computer name means that the Screens Connect service is enabled on that computer.

You are now ready to create a new screen.

Uninstalling Screens Connect for Windows

Right-click the Screens Connect icon in the system tray.

Select Exit.

Open the Windows Control Panel.

Click Uninstall a program.

Click Screens Connect.

Click Uninstall.