Most remote access tools today keep a vendor cloud in the middle. Remote Utilities is the other kind: you can use the free tier and run the whole thing on your own server, with no third party involved. For a small IT department supporting a handful of machines, that combination is hard to find.
The free licence covers up to 10 controlled devices, for business as well as personal use, with no session time limit and no ads. The current Windows version is 7.8.4.0 (June 2026), and macOS and Linux got their first stable builds (2.0.1) in September 2026.
Remote Utilities at a glance
| Latest version | Windows 7.8.4.0 (11 June 2026); macOS and Linux 2.0.1 (16 September 2026) |
|---|---|
| Licence | Free for up to 10 devices (business use allowed) |
| Free tier | Up to 10 controlled devices, business use allowed, community support |
| Paid tiers | Raise the device limit |
| Platforms | Windows 11 down to XP and Server 2022–2003; macOS 11+ (Viewer), 13+ (Host); Linux .deb, .rpm and .tar.xz; iOS and Android viewers |
| Components | Viewer (your side), Host (permanent, needs install), Agent (on demand, no install), RU Server (your own relay) |
The four parts, and which you need
- Viewer — the console on the technician’s machine. Available as an installer or as a portable build.
- Host — installed on a machine you support permanently. Runs as a service, so you can connect when nobody is logged in. Needs administrator rights to install.
- Agent — a single executable the user runs when they need help. No installation, no administrator rights, and it stops when they close it. This is the one to send to a colleague over chat.
- RU Server — optional, and the reason many people choose this product: your own relay, address-book sync and authentication server, so remote sessions never touch anyone else’s infrastructure.
What you can do in a session
- Full control or view-only, plus a mode that drives the native Windows RDP client straight from the address book.
- File transfer over the encrypted channel in a two-pane manager.
- Power control: restart, shut down, lock, sleep, monitor on and off, and reboot into safe mode — in bulk if needed.
- Admin tools without a full session: terminal, task manager, command execution, remote registry and an inventory manager.
- Text chat, message to the screen, and voice or video chat.
- Wake-on-LAN, multi-monitor support and clipboard sync.
- Four authentication methods, including Windows or Active Directory accounts and per-user permissions.
- An MSI Configurator that builds a preconfigured Host installer for deployment by group policy.
Connection modes
Two ways to reach a machine. Internet-ID routes the session through a relay — the vendor’s by default, or your own RU Server. Direct connection by IP or DNS name involves no third party at all, which is the usual choice inside a LAN or over a VPN.
Download and install
- Click the Download button at the top of this page and unpack the archive.
- Install the Viewer on your own machine, or run its portable build.
- For permanent access, install the Host on the remote machine (administrator rights required) and note the Internet-ID it shows.
- For one-off help, send the user the Agent: they run it, read you the ID, and nothing stays behind afterwards.
- Request the free licence key on the developer’s site and enter it in the Viewer — one key per person or organisation.
Important: update older Hosts
Version 7.8.4.0 fixed a privilege-escalation vulnerability (CVE-2026-14208) affecting Host 7.7.3.0 and earlier. If you have Hosts deployed from before June 2026, updating them is not optional.
What the free tier does not give you
- More than 10 controlled devices.
- Personalised vendor support — the free tier is community support only.
- A digitally signed MSI for custom deployment.
- Removal of the connection alert shown on the remote machine.
Beyond licensing: there is no vendor-hosted management dashboard. The address book lives on your machine or syncs through your own RU Server. The macOS and Linux Hosts are new and still behind the Windows version in features.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Host older than 7.7.3.0 in use | Update immediately — privilege escalation, CVE-2026-14208. |
| Saved connections missing after the mobile app update | The rebuilt mobile app (version 14) uses a new format; old entries do not carry over and must be added again. |
| Agent cannot show the screen on Linux | Under Wayland the Agent cannot capture the screen; the Host can, including the login screen. |
| A Plus licence still shows as “Mini” | Cosmetic: the tier was renamed, the key works. |
| Connection fails over the internet | Use Internet-ID mode, or open the direct port and connect by IP; check the proxy settings if your network requires one. |
Remote Utilities vs. alternatives
| Tool | How it compares |
|---|---|
| TeamViewer, AnyDesk | Built around the vendor’s cloud; easier for one-off use, no self-hosting |
| RustDesk | Open source and self-hostable; less polished management and no commercial support |
| DameWare | Stronger Active Directory tooling; shareware |
| LiteManager Free | Also free for a limited number of devices; smaller feature set |
FAQ
How many computers can I control for free?
Ten. The free licence explicitly permits business use, and there is no time limit on sessions.
Do I have to use the vendor’s servers?
No. Connect directly by IP inside your network, or run your own RU Server for relay, address-book sync and authentication.
Can I help someone without installing anything on their PC?
Yes — that is what the Agent is for. It needs no installation and no administrator rights.
Does it work on macOS and Linux?
Yes, since September 2026 both have stable builds, including Wayland support on Linux. They are newer and less complete than the Windows version.
Will the user know someone is connected?
In the free tier a connection alert is shown on the remote machine. Removing it is a paid feature.
