Likewise we use TightVNC server on Windows XP desktops, with Remmina as the client on Ubuntu. We used UltraVNC for a few years before switching to TightVNC as UltraVNC is so appalling, I'm trying to remember what was so agonising about it but my memory is a bit hazy: - Version 1.0.4 was a major new version over 1.0.2, but you wouldn't think so by the version number, which says to me that the developers don't know what they're doing, in getting something so obvious so wrong - documentation on the web site was too scant, thus confusing - it uses extensions to the VNC protocol for domain logon that are non-standard For laptops that roam outside of the organisation where you have your VPN, I'd recommend additionally installing TeamViewer (though it costs money for non-personal use). This is what we do for TightVNC install or upgrade: Add Microsoft Security Essentials whitelisting of TightVNC: reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft Antimalware\Exclusions\Paths" /v "C:\Program Files\TightVNC\tightvnc.exe" /d "00000000" /t REG_DWORD /f 1>NUL 2>NUL reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft Antimalware\Exclusions\Paths" /v "C:\Program Files\TightVNC\screenhooks.dll" /d "00000000" /t REG_DWORD /f 1>NUL 2>NUL Install TightVNC: %SOFTWARE%\tightvnc\tightvnc-2.0.4-setup.exe Install the TightVNC Server as a service: "%PROGRAMFILES%\TightVNC\tvnserver" -install -silent Stop the TightVNC Server whilst we import settings "%PROGRAMFILES%\TightVNC\tvnserver" -stop -silent Import settings: regedit /s "%SOFTWARE%\tightvnc\tightvnc-settings.reg Restart the TightVNC Server: "%PROGRAMFILES%\TightVNC\tvnserver" -start -silent |