The teamviewer killer has arrived?

[coffee]

So, During this lock down I have been busy setting up remote connection capibility for some of my clients. Of course, I have a lifetime license for TV9. However, I started running into issues with version errors when setting up the clients. I have version 9 installed on their remote computer (free version) and installed the same version on their laptop. When trying to connect from their laptop they get an error "the remote version is lower than your version and cannot connect" - or something similar. After some reading it seems that its a kinda catch all error message and TV is no longer compatible when remoting to a similar or earlier version. Ive tried everything as per uninstall / reinstall, Using Revo to remove all reminants of any install and nothing has worked.

I started searching the internet for this error and I found something I have never seen before. Perhaps others here have found it and that this is no new news to them but for me and others it may be.

Ultraviewer has arrived.

This appears to be a port of teamviewer that is totally free right now for business and residential clients. It appears very similar to TV thats why I call it a "port" of TV. I have not had enough time to play with it yet but from what I have seen so far - Its a TV killer.

https://ultraviewer.net/en/

If it does indeed work as well as TV then bye,bye TV. Hello Ultraviewer!

Since we are all on lock down why not try it out and post back your feelings on it. Im excited about it right now. However, I know that when I get excited about something I now get cautious. Dont want my hopes to be dashed. However, For now it does look great. I must be dreaming....

Even when they go pay it appears they will probably be a lot less expensive than TV. So, If all works out I will try and grab a lifetime license if they offer it.

Check it out and post your thoughts.

coffee

 

[glennd]

So, During this lock down I have been busy setting up remote connection capibility for some of my clients. Of course, I have a lifetime license for TV9. However, I started running into issues with version errors when setting up the clients. I have version 9 installed on their remote computer (free version) and installed the same version on their laptop. When trying to connect from their laptop they get an error "the remote version is lower than your version and cannot connect" - or something similar. After some reading it seems that its a kinda catch all error message and TV is no longer compatible when remoting to a similar or earlier version. Ive tried everything as per uninstall / reinstall, Using Revo to remove all reminants of any install and nothing has worked.

I started searching the internet for this error and I found something I have never seen before. Perhaps others here have found it and that this is no new news to them but for me and others it may be.

Ultraviewer has arrived.

This appears to be a port of teamviewer that is totally free right now for business and residential clients. It appears very similar to TV thats why I call it a "port" of TV. I have not had enough time to play with it yet but from what I have seen so far - Its a TV killer.

https://ultraviewer.net/en/

If it does indeed work as well as TV then bye,bye TV. Hello Ultraviewer!

Since we are all on lock down why not try it out and post back your feelings on it. Im excited about it right now. However, I know that when I get excited about something I now get cautious. Dont want my hopes to be dashed. However, For now it does look great. I must be dreaming....

Even when they go pay it appears they will probably be a lot less expensive than TV. So, If all works out I will try and grab a lifetime license if they offer it.

Check it out and post your thoughts.

coffee

I tried it, I like it. It hasn't just arrived, it's been around for a few years. From what I can gather, it used to be commercial and is now freeware.

 

[coffee]

I tried it, I like it. It hasn't just arrived, it's been around for a few years. From what I can gather, it used to be commercial and is now freeware.

For some reason it never appeared on my radar. Man. I have a client using it right now to access her office while on lock down. I asked her to report on it via email and let me know her feelings.

After the evil TV, I would gladly donate for this. Heck, I would run a server for them! lol..

 

[Larry Sabo]

I've used it when AnyDesk has had an issue and it was fine. A little slower then AnyDesk, but still fine.

 

[glennd]

I've used it when AnyDesk has had an issue and it was fine. A little slower then AnyDesk, but still fine.

slow is fine when you're on a budget

 

[sapphirescales]

There's no way in hell I'd use this software because:

1. There's no way to customize it with my logo/business information
2. Since it's free, it could disappear at any moment, leaving thousands of my clients out in the cold

I'm still using TeamViewer 11. Once it literally won't work on Windows anymore (probably Windows 12 or whatever), I'll switch. I will never in a million years pay monthly/yearly for software, but I don't want free software either. Perpetual licenses are the best.

 

[fincoder]

I just downloaded it (using Edge Chromium) and got this:

This app might harm your device
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen reported that this app is not commonly downloaded or is not signed by its publisher.
Name: UltraViewer_setup_6.2_en.exe
Publisher: VN, 100000, Ha Noi, "4, Lane 179 Minh Khai Street,", "DUC FABULOUS CO.,LTD", "DUC FABULOUS CO.,LTD"

This isn't a good look for customers, and makes it more difficult to instruct install over the phone. And even when the download block is overridden, when you execute the setup you get it again:

Windows protected your PC
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen prevented an unrecognised app from starting. Running this app might put your PC at risk.

So unless they update their digital certificate, unfortunately it isn't usable for my customers.

 

[britechguy]

I just downloaded it (using Edge Chromium) and got this:

This app might harm your device

Then I'd report this as a False Positive to Microsoft. I have had no trouble downloading it, and I use Windows Defender, but I am not using Microsoft Edge.

 

[fincoder]

Continuing from the above, after inspection of the certificate details it seems OK. SmartScreen must be blocking it because it was recently signed on March 29.

 

[britechguy]

slow is fine when you're on a budget

And what constitutes "slow"? I'm not saying that there aren't things that are unacceptably slow, but for many these days if it's not instantaneous it's slow. For those of us "in the hinterlands" who aren't operating over ultra high speed internet, quite a few things seem more than adequately fast that those who have "cushy connections" and are used to "instantaneous" find glacial. It's all relative.

 

[fincoder]

I have had no trouble downloading it, and I use Windows Defender, but I am not using Microsoft Edge.

I just tried it with Chrome and the download was OK, but executing the setup still gets the SmartScreen block.

Tried it on another machine with Firefox and the execution was also blocked there.

 

[britechguy]

Well, what happens when you attempt to run it, which I hadn't, is a separate issue. I get the same thing as you when I try to run it.

It's obviously a False Positive. If you run the download URL through VirusTotal.com not a single engine flags it. If you use the EXE itself, one engine flags it. If that doesn't demonstrate a false positive I don't know what would.

 

[fincoder]

It's obviously a False Positive.

Indeed, but that's not the issue. The problem is instructing end users to download this over the phone... not even worth attempting.

I emailed Ultraview support reporting it. It's the publisher that needs to sort it out with Microsoft.

 

[britechguy]

And I reported it to Microsoft. If you want to add a comment to it or upvote: https://aka.ms/AA8001j

I don't consider this a show stopper. I've had it happen more than once, and when I know things are time critical and I'm dealing with a false positive I explain that and how to get SmartScreen to allow installation anyway. It's simple to do.

 

[fincoder]

I'm concerned about instructing users to bypass SmartScreen, could be teaching them bad habits.

 

[britechguy]

I'm concerned about instructing users to bypass SmartScreen, could be teaching them bad habits.

I presume that most users:

A) Will not remember how to do this.

B) Realize that it's a very bad idea unless they have their support professional recommending it in an exception case.

As the old saying goes, "Desperate times call for desperate measures." I am only responsible for what someone does under my instruction when I instruct them to do it. If they decide to "wing it" later on their own, that is their own choice, and the consequences are theirs. I am not an IT nanny (and I hasten to add I am not accusing you of being one, just stating my position).

 

[fincoder]

Fair points Brian, it might be still worthwhile testing Ultraviewer and using it, if it turns out to be good.

 

[MDD1963]

I also tested Ultraviewer a couple years ago...(granted, the test from host to virtual machine is hardly indicative of real world performance, so I need to test it from city to city, if not city to different state...

If Ultraviewer gives a few Windows Security/Chrome advisories when folks try to download it, perhaps MSP360's (formerly Cloudberry Labs')/ Remote Assistant (listed as freeware) would be preferable, and, per their web page, it is 'absolutely free', with no personal/commercial use clauses/warnings/ admonitions, etc...

https://www.msp360.com/remote-assistant.aspx

 

[britechguy]

I'll also note that if you do not need unattended access, and have not tried it, and both machines have Win8.1 or later, try Quick Assist.

I have loved it since the first time I tried it with a client, and does everything I need something like TeamViewer or UltraViewer to do with the exception of unattended access. Not having to install anything and the ease of walking your "assistee" through getting the session going makes life much easier than using any third party tool.

 

[fincoder]

Quick Assist.

Oh yes I forgot about that one preinstalled in Windows 10. Thanks for the reminder. Easy enough to instruct a user to click on search and type q.