VNC Install on PC/Laptop

Overview, Introduction & Prerequisites:

This is an Introduction to the installation process of TigerVNC. This page will cover a Mish-Mash of Web resources showing this process. The goal is to be able to install TigerVNC on a Laptop, and alos enable access to a Raspberry Pi. Success will be that you can start TigerVNC on a laptop, and Remote desktop a Raspberry Pi.

Prerequisites:

No explicit prerequisite course work, Electronics, Logic, or coding knowledge is required. Come as you are. 🧠

Topics:

VNC and Remote Desktop connections
Resources
Lessons & Labs
Projects

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WORK IN PROGRESS

Unit: Computer Hardware & IT Fundamentals
- Module: TightVNC
This is a LEARNING Activity : Lesson / Lab

Last Revised: June, 10 2025- Authored: May 29,2025
Original Author: Jim Burnham - TopClown@STEAMClown.org
Content License: Distributed as Open Source. See Rights & Usage

Note: TEACHERS!!!! If you are going to use any of these lessons or labs, please let me know. I would really like to understand how you are using this material. I want to know what works, what does not work, what would you like me to add, and how I can make it better. If you changed something, let me know, because it's probably a good idea and you should share it with me, so I can add it and share with everyone else.

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Overview and Introduction:

Author: Jim Burnham - TopClown@STEAMClown.org. License: Distributed as Open Source.

TigerVNC

Learning Objective:

Module Scope:

Introduction to VNC & Remote Desktop access

Learning Targets:

Install a VNC tool
Not get hacked?

Prior Knowledge:

Basic understanding of coding

Resources & Materials Needed:

PC, Laptop or Other device to access the TightVNC application
Each lesson will have specific items needed to complete the labs and tasks

Prerequisites:

No explicit prerequisite course work or coding knowledge is required, but students are expected to have a good understanding of basic computer principles.

Caution & Safety Considerations:

Primer: "Aaron, I can imagine no way in which this thing could be considered anywhere remotely close to safe. All I know is I spent six hours in there and I'm still alive... You still want to do it?"

As with any activity, please make sure you are using appropriate safety equipment. If you are coding, writing, reading, or working a lab, make sure you stand up and stretch every hour or so, Please consider any safety issues connecting to a Raspberry Pi, Arduino, computers and other electronic equipment.

Essential Questions:

Foundations and Concepts

Tools and Techniques

Practical Application

Career and Industry Trends

Legal and Ethical Implications

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Key Academic Vocabulary or Concepts:

VNC -

Step 1: Getting Started - References & Resources

VNC - TightVNC Reference, Tutorials & Other Online Resources:

Web Resources:

- This is a link you will be using .....

Step 2: TigerVNC - Introduction

TigerVNC - Introduction Lab:

ChatGPT - Here's a detailed comparison of TigerVNC, TightVNC, and RealVNC, covering their purpose, features, pros and cons, and a final summary to guide selection. - https://chatgpt.com/share/6838abd4-b25c-8002-acca-8998b4144b07

🐯 TigerVNC

Description:
TigerVNC (Virtual Network Computing) is a high-performance, actively maintained open-source VNC implementation that focuses on security and speed. It’s often used in Linux environments but supports Windows as well.

Features:

High-speed remote desktop performance.
TLS encryption for secure sessions.
Unix/Linux X.Org and Windows support.
Integration with system authentication (e.g., PAM).
Supports clipboard sharing.

✅ Pros:

Open-source and free.
Actively maintained with security focus.
Great performance for graphical Linux desktops.
Good encryption support.

❌ Cons:

No built-in file transfer support.
No official macOS client.
Lacks advanced features like cloud connectivity.

🔧 TightVNC

Description:
TightVNC is a lightweight, open-source remote desktop software focused on low bandwidth usage. It’s suitable for older systems and slower connections.

Features:

Efficient compression for low-bandwidth connections.
Windows and Linux support.
File transfer capability (Windows only).
Java viewer for web-based access.

✅ Pros:

Open-source and lightweight.
Good for slow or legacy systems.
File transfer feature included.

❌ Cons:

Last major update was years ago (development is slow).
No strong encryption (no TLS by default).
Poor Linux GUI integration.

🔒 RealVNC

Description:
RealVNC offers both a free and a commercial version. It is a polished, cross-platform VNC solution with a proprietary protocol and advanced security and cloud connectivity.

Features:

Cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi).
End-to-end encryption (AES).
Cloud connectivity for easy remote access.
File transfer, chat, and multi-user sessions.
Free and commercial tiers.

✅ Pros:

Very user-friendly and professional interface.
Secure with strong encryption.
Cloud access without needing port forwarding.
Official support available.

❌ Cons:

Many advanced features are locked behind a paywall.
Free version limited in enterprise use cases.
Closed-source.

🔍 Summary: Which One Should You Choose?

Criteria Choose This VNC Solution

Best for Linux users needing performance and security TigerVNC

Low-resource systems or limited bandwidth TightVNC

User-friendly, secure, with cloud support RealVNC

Final Thoughts:

Choose TigerVNC if you need fast, secure performance in Linux environments.
Choose TightVNC if you're on legacy systems or need a simple free tool.
Choose RealVNC if you want polished, secure, multi-platform access with cloud features and are okay with some licensing costs.

Step 3: TigerVNC - Installing TigerVNC Lab:

Installing TigerVNC Lab: (On YOur PC/Laptop... Not The Raspberry Pi)

On your PC/Laptop, Find and install the Tiger VNC application

Start by searching "tigervnc" on google https://tigervnc.org/
Under the site's "downloads" section click on "downloaded from our GitHub release page" which links to https://github.com/TigerVNC/tigervnc/releases
Click on the link on the githubt that goes to https://sourceforge.net/projects/tigervnc/files/stable/1.15.0/
On the sourceforge click "download latest version"
Install with all the defaults

Step 4: TigerVNC - Installing TigerVNC Server on Raspberry Pi:

Running TigerVNC

On The Raspberry Pi:

Make sure the VNC option is in enabled on the Raspberry Pi
Make sure that your Raspberry Pi and your PC/Laptop are on the same network

On Your PC/Laptop:

On your PC/Laptop, run TigerVNC

When prompted, input the Raspberry Pi's IP Address
(Remember, both the Raspberry Pi and your PC/Laptop need to be on the same network)

Step 4: TigerVNC - Running TigerVNC:

Running TigerVNC

On The Raspberry Pi:

Make sure the VNC option is in enabled on the Raspberry Pi
Make sure that your Raspberry Pi and your PC/Laptop are on the same network

On Your PC/Laptop:

On your PC/Laptop, run TigerVNC

When prompted, input the Raspberry Pi's IP Address
(Remember, both the Raspberry Pi and your PC/Laptop need to be on the same network)

Step 4: TigerVNC - Logging In To Your Raspberry Pi:

Loging In To Your Raspberry Pi With TigerVNC

Input your Username and Password for the Raspberry Pi

Hint: This is your username you would see in the Raspberry Pi command prompt.

User42@Rover >$

In this case, you would type User42 as the Username and the Raspberry Pi Password as the password.

Hint: If you forgot the Raspberry Pi password, you can always got to your Raspberry Pi Configuration Preferences and change it.

Step 5: TigerVNC - Options:

TigerVNC Options:

Check out the options you can set.

Reference, Attribution & Resources:

License - "Be A Hero"... Distribute Your Content As Open Source... That Is What I'm Doing...

The content on this site may have been pulled from other open source sites, but typically the interpretation and presentation is primarily the Intellectual Property of Jim Burnham, - TopClown@STEAMClown.org at www.steamclown.org and the Student curriculum can be found under the specific Mechatronics Engineering Units section of this web site.
If you do use my material, and make changes, I would appreciate getting a copy... because if you are making changes, it means that you think there is a better way to teach this… and I would really appreciate understanding that. Please send me feedback on my Questions or Feedback form. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions or comment.
You also should keep and include my STEAM Clown Logo and Copyright in any derivative works you create. I would appreciate if you would include one of these images found on my Steam Clown License page and link it to www.steamclown.org

Teachers - Unit, Module and Lesson Plans

If you are a teacher and want to connect and teach this Lesson or Module, discuss how I teach it, give me feedback, please contact me at TopClown@STEAMClown.org

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If you have questions or feedback on how I can make a presentation, lesson, lab better please give use my Feedback Form.

Resource Attribution:
Sites Referenced or Summarized:

Reference Sites -

Images:

https://imgbin.com/png/ZJtzkYZZ/under-construction-png

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VNC Install on PC/Laptop

Overview, Introduction & Prerequisites:

WORK IN PROGRESS

Overview and Introduction:

TigerVNC

Learning Objective:

Prerequisites:

Caution & Safety Considerations:

Essential Questions:

Key Academic Vocabulary or Concepts:

Step 1: Getting Started - References & Resources

VNC - TightVNC Reference, Tutorials & Other Online Resources:

Web Resources:

Step 2: TigerVNC - Introduction

TigerVNC - Introduction Lab:

🐯 TigerVNC

Features:

✅ Pros:

❌ Cons:

🔧 TightVNC

Features:

✅ Pros:

❌ Cons:

🔒 RealVNC

Features:

✅ Pros:

❌ Cons:

🔍 Summary: Which One Should You Choose?

Final Thoughts:

Step 3: TigerVNC - Installing TigerVNC Lab:

Installing TigerVNC Lab: (On YOur PC/Laptop... Not The Raspberry Pi)

Step 4: TigerVNC - Installing TigerVNC Server on Raspberry Pi:

Running TigerVNC

Step 4: TigerVNC - Running TigerVNC:

Running TigerVNC

Step 4: TigerVNC - Logging In To Your Raspberry Pi:

Loging In To Your Raspberry Pi With TigerVNC

Step 5: TigerVNC - Options:

TigerVNC Options:

Reference, Attribution & Resources:

License - "Be A Hero"... Distribute Your Content As Open Source... That Is What I'm Doing...

Teachers - Unit, Module and Lesson Plans

Resource Attribution:Sites Referenced or Summarized:

Images:

Random Stuff To Sort

Resource Attribution:
Sites Referenced or Summarized: